If you are a keen gardener and really want to try new things for your parrot you can plant flowers that your bird can eat. Its fun and adds colour and variety to their diet.
I have tried to add these flowers to my parrots diets but they have not been very keen and the leaves just get tossed. But that is not to say that your parrot will do the same. Every bird is different and as parrot owners we should be trying new things all the time.
Try growing these plants and see if your parrot will eat them..
Hibiscus flowers, rose petals, dandelion flowers, and nasturtion blooms all contain Vitamin C.. Try and always offer the newest freshest blooms, let your parrot have a bloom feast in his dish.
Carnation flowers, young and fresh have a calming influence on birds and this should be remembered when your parrot is going through a stressful period. Daisies, pansies, and honey suckle flowers can be offered as well..
Just as there are good flowers to add to your parrots diet, there are dangerous ones that should never be offered, and if you have a free flighted bird in your home, should not even be brought into the home.
Most of the dangerous ones will cause a skin irritation in the mouth and this should avoid further eating of the plant, but some birds will continue eating and then the wind pipe could become swollen and could be fatal.
Let me list the dangerous ones, remember to always check with your nursery if you are worried about a shrub or flower, they should know which are toxic..
Azaleas, Clematis, Daffodil, Hydrangea, Lantana and Oleander.
I have a recipe for you to try if you want to become a little adventurous…
- Rinse zucchini flowers in cold salty water.
- Drain and shake dry.
- Dip flowers in egg and roll in bread crumbs.
- Fry in a little oil until golden brown.
- Drain on a paper towel.
- Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and cool.
- Offer the new recipe to your birds and see if they like it..
Good luck, let me know how you get on.
Here is a little saying for you..
“A bloom a day keeps the gloom away”