Corn is a versatile food that can be had in many ways. But can cockatiels eat corn too? I give you the answer below.
Who does not like munching on a few pieces of sweet, buttered corn as an evening snack?
But you may be surprised to know how much your pet birds will love it too.
Yes, birds like to eat corn, and it can be a good idea to add it to their daily diet.
In this article, I will tell you all about the benefits of corn, how you can give it to your pet bird, and what you, as a bird owner, should know about when offering corn to your bird
Corn Nutritional Info: Is It Good For Cockatiels?
I always suggest raw corn for birds as a good source of dietary fiber and complex carbohydrates.
This whole grain-based food is an excellent addition to a pet cockatiel’s diet because it helps improve its digestive functions.
Here are the main nutrients in corn that your bird can benefit from.
Nutritional Info
One ear of raw corn contains the following nutrients:
- Calories: 88
- Carbs: 19g
- Fat: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Fibers: 2g
- Vitamins B, C, and E
Benefits
- Vitamins B and C are essential for maintaining the immune system of your bird and preventing different health issues.
- Vitamin E helps improve a bird’s fertility
- Corn is a decent source of protein. Protein is necessary for the muscle growth of birds
- Corn is also a great source of dietary fiber that keeps your cockatiel’s digestive tract clear, improving their digestion.
- As a source of complex carbohydrates, it helps birds gain energy.
- The low fat content in corn makes it a light snack that does not cause obesity and other heart-related problems.
How Should Corn Be Given To Cockatiels?
You have a number of options when you are trying to feed your cockatiel fresh corn.
Most birds will enjoy pecking at raw corn, but some might develop a taste for cooked corn or just corn chips.
Alongside fresh vegetables and a few pieces of fruit, your cockatiel will also enjoy some corn in its food bowl.
I talk about all the questions that you might have regarding which form of corn is best for your bird:
Raw
The best way to offer corn to your bird is by letting them eat it raw.
This way, they can get the most amount of nutrients and get the maximum fiber which improves their digestion.
Moreover, birds enjoy munching on tiny kernels of corn because of the texture.
Cooked
Cooking the corn before feeding it to your birds can also be a good idea, especially for younger birds.
Some cockatiels have a palette for cooked foods, and they will happily eat them.
The only thing you need to remember is not to add any kind of flavoring agent to the corn.
Steaming, microwaving, or grilling the corn can be some of the best ideas when you are cooking corn for your cockatiel.
Canned
It is safe for your cockatiel to eat canned corn, but ensure it does not have artificial flavoring or preservatives.
If you are not sure about how the corn is processed, it is best to buy raw corn ears than buy it by the can.
Corn Chips
If you are bringing any kind of corn chips home, including corn tortillas or regular tortilla chips, you can offer them to your cockatiel as well.
Make sure that the chips are not salted, as the high salt content is not good for the bird.
But your cockatiel can eat broken pieces of unsalted corn chips as an occasional treat.
Corn On The Cob
A lot of birds love to eat corn on the cob if they get a taste for it early on.
You can either grill, roast, or steam the corn directly after removing the green husk.
Cockatiels love to peck at the corn from the cob, but make sure you limit the quantity by removing the cob after the bird has had a few corn.
Corn Flakes
If your morning routine involves breakfast with your cockatiel, it might be a good idea to set aside some cornflakes for the little bird.
Birds enjoy the crunchy taste of cornflakes, and it is completely safe for them to eat them, given it is not coated with sugar.
It is, however, a good idea to crush the cornflakes so that your bird can have them safely without any choking hazards.
How Much (And How Often) Should You Give Corn To Your Bird?
The quantity should be regulated depending on the size of your bird.
You can offer them 5-10 corn kernels when in raw or steamed form, along with their meal of fruits or vegetables.
When giving tortilla chips or cornflakes, crush a few chips into small pieces and add them to give a crunch texture to the pellet mix.
Keep alternating corn with other leafy vegetables and fruits, don’t let your bird get too attached to corn.
Are There Any Dangers To Giving Corn to Cockatiels?
The simple answer is that no, corn is not in any way dangerous to your cockatiels.
It is a healthy, low-fat snack that can be a good addition to their diet.
There are two main things you need to remember to feed corn safely to your birds.
Firstly, it should be added to their meals in a limited quantity.
Secondly, try to give them either raw or steamed corn so as not to have any preservatives added to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you give a cockatiel corn?
Your cockatiel can eat corn in a lot of different ways. From corn on the cob to corn chips or grilled corn, they will eat it in any form.
The only thing that should not be given to them is corn with artificial flavors or any salt or sugar coating.
Can birds eat boiled corn?
Yes, birds can and enjoy eating boiled corn. If you do not want to give your birds raw corn, you can boil or microwave it before offering it to them.
Boiled corn maintains the nutrients while making the outer coating softer. It is a good way to feed corn to younger birds.
Is corn harmful to birds?
Corn can be harmful to certain kinds of birds because of its high content of aflatoxins, though not so much to cockatiels.
It is possible for corn to be contaminated very easily.
Also, processed corn may have a lot of preservatives that should not be fed to birds.
Is corn safe for birds?
Corn is safe and healthy for most birds. It has a high content of fiber which is helpful in clearing the digestive tracts of birds.
There are other vitamins and nutrients in corn that can help maintain the overall health of your birds.
Wrap Up
We can tell you that adding corn to your bird’s diet can be a good choice to make.
This healthy snack can work well as an occasional treat or a part of their diet.
As long as your cockatiel is eating a limited quantity of corn and not getting used to it daily, it can be a good addition to their food.
Limit the kernels to 5-10 once in a week, no more than that.
Thank you for reading!
