Hang around with a cockatiel and watch him peck at his food for a little while, and you wonder if he gets tired of that pellet food and wants to eat something new and exciting and you will soon understand the answer to can cockatiels eat cauliflower is – yes!
Can Cockatiels eat cauliflower? Yes, they absolutely can. Cockatiels can eat healthy veggies like beets, carrots, and cabbage varieties. These are things like cauliflower, broccoli and of course cabbage. They also like zucchini, spinach, and asparagus, as well as sweet potatoes.
Okay, so now you know that Cockatiels can eat cauliflower. However, do you know that there are even good reasons why you should feed your Cockatiel cauliflower on a regular base? Continue to read to learn what makes cauliflower so great for Cockatiels and also learn about other foods that are amazing for your Cockatiel’s health!
Why You Should Feed Your Cockatiel Cauliflower (And Other Foods)
Avian vets do encourage bird owners to feed their cockatiels these foods because they help prevent lipomas and obesity issues when it comes to cockatiels. Lipomas are benign and soft and are yellowish in color.
They may become inflamed or necrotic if they are exposed to trauma. They can grow very fast and result in ulcers on the skin covering the area.
The way to treat them is to convert your bird to a low-fat diet, help your obese bird lose weight, or even have them surgically removed. If not completely removed it is common that they will come back.
It’s also something of a fun game for birds to get small pieces of veggies and fruits. Cutting them up into small pieces motivates the birds to come and grab them. You can cut up apples, kiwi, mango and even melons (among other fruits) to keep your bird eating.
Berries are very important, and also contain important vitamins and minerals like C, A, K, B1, B2, and E that are needed to fight infection, prevent kidney problems, and keep your birds’ eyes healthy.
By and large, the important things to remember is to always keep your cockatiels’ food fresh. Make sure any old food is removed after your bird is done eating.
And be sure to always change out the water at least two times per day. Just like humans, birds need fresh water and they can’t go long without water! We show you how long they can go without water here!
Problems with Cockatiels Eating Cauliflower
Provided the cockatiel is given small, manageable pieces, no – there are no issues with cockatiels eating cauliflower.
However, it is important to remember that 60% of your bird’s diet should be those nutritious pellets you buy at your local pet shop or favorite retailer. The other 40% can be the nutritious foods we discussed like fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes.
You can also serve your cockatiel small pieces of hard cheese, but only as a special treat. Fish can be given as a protein, again in small amounts.
Too much of a good thing, however, is not so great after all. Cauliflower can cause gas if too much is consumed. Cauliflower is a cruciferous veggie, and these have complex carbs that do not break down as easily when it comes time to digest them.
This leads to that gas and bloating which can be very uncomfortable for a cockatiel.
So, by this logic, the only problem with feeding your cockatiel cauliflower would be if you were attempting to use it as your bird’s primary diet. Your bird would not get the proper nutrients, and he would likely lack the energy to clean himself, sing, interact with you and generally feel good.
Let’s also take a look at what cockatiels should not eat. These foods are considered toxic to the bird and should be avoided.
- Alcohol
- Garlic
- Candy
- Chocolate
- Honey
- Rhubarb
- Caffeine
You should also avoid any and all sugar-free foods. You should also avoid high sugar, fat and sodium foods, too.
What Else Cockatiels Enjoy Consuming?
As you probably already realized, these birds enjoy healthy delights, like fruit, veggies, and leafy greens. Eating these foods likely makes them feel they are in the wild. They may even enjoy dehydrated vegetables.
You should also make sure that you place a cuttlebone into the cage so that your cockatiel can keep his beak in top shape and get the necessary nutrients like calcium.
Cuttlebones also are a fun play object for many birds. In fact, cuttlebones are crucial for most parrots – we explain why here!
The most important thing to remember is that you want to give your bird natural, fresh food when it is time for a special treat.
Do keep in mind that cockatiels can eat too much, which can lead to obesity. They also can develop diabetes and could be the reason a cockatiel eats plenty of food but is lethargic in nature.
A cockatiel will eat about 15 grams of food each day. Baby cockatiels will consume food about every four hours during their second week of life.
They can last about 8 hours overnight without food before they begin noisily begging for nourishment, and it is important that bird owners do not overfeed these chicks. Shoot for about 4-6 milliliters of food when they are this young.
Related Questions
What Vegetables Can Cockatiels Eat? While seeds and pellets are the main dishes of your bird’s diet, they can enjoy some varieties of veggies. You can feed them leafy, dark greens on every other day basis. You can also offer them fruits like melon, apple, banana or melons. Serve them to your bird in small pieces.
Can birds eat cauliflower? Yes. Wild birds eat a huge variety of veggies when they are in the wild, so it just makes sense that companion pet birds would enjoy them too. Offer your pet broccoli, cauliflower or dark leafy greens the next time you have some-be sure to wash them thoroughly first.
Do Cockatiels Need a Companion? No, but if they are solitary, they need plenty of attention. They will see you as a mate and need you on a regular basis. You might leave the room and then hear your cockatiel noisily scream. They aren’t misbehaving but wondering where you are. Do have another cockatiel as these are social birds.
Are cockatiels affectionate? Yes. They like to be touched. They also like “hanging out” too. You will find your cockatiel likes to be out of the cage while you do a quiet activity, like ready or watch tv. They like their cheeks to be rubbed especially on the red cheek patch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cockatiels can absolutely eat cauliflower, but owners should make sure that the veggie is cut into small pieces and that it is not used as a primary food in the bird’s diet.
