Chia seeds are tiny edible seeds of Salvia Hispanica. And also, these seeds are known due to rich in omega 3-fatty acids, with other nutrients like proteins, fats, vitamin B, thiamin, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and many more. As chia seeds are enriching with such nutrition and minerals. So, of course, they are very healthy for us. But I have a question that can birds eat chia seeds? Are chia seeds healthy for birds?
And in this article, I’m going to explore the answer to these questions, but I would like to answer some other questions related to bird’s food.
Chia seeds are not only best for humans but also beneficial for birds. Yes, of course, birds can eat chia seeds, and with this, they are healthy for them. Because chia seeds have many nutrients to offer them.
Can Birds Eat Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are on the list of superfoods, which definitely birds can eat. Moreover, chia seeds contain proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and also healthy fats.
Chia seeds are actually well-known because of Omega 3 fatty acids in them. As omega 3 fatty acids help us lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart diseases with lowering the abnormal heart rhythm.
Similarly, omega 3 fatty acid has too many benefits for birds. For example, according to research, omega 3-fatty acids increase the ability to use oxygen to create muscles’ energy in birds.
The following primary content of chia seeds is protein. For human’s proteins are necessary to maintain a healthy body. Therefore, deficiency of proteins in humans causes serious health issues in humans.
Similarly, birds need proteins for their health. And, deficiency of proteins in birds leads to feathers and beaks problems.
Lactose Intolerance in Birds:
After their first hatch, birds feed ingested food by their parents. So that is the main reason for birds not developing lactase enzyme in their body. So, in birds’ mammary tissues are never involved in producing lactase enzyme.
This enzyme is necessary for the digestion of dairy products and it also lets them absorb nutrients from dairy products to their body via gut walls. And of course, nutrients in dairy products are healthy for our healthy growth.
But this lactase enzyme production is not evolved in birds. So, it means that birds aren’t able to get nutrients from dairy products directly. However, we know very well that birds need calcium and other nutrients for their growth. So, we have to provide them these nutrients via other foods rather than dairy products.
But you don’t have to worry about your pet because we have chia seeds to fulfill their calcium needs. As chia seeds are rich in calcium, they can quickly meet the calcium needs of birds.
Because calcium deficiency in birds leads to reabsorption of their bones. This condition cause seizure in birds with other health issues. Like enlargement of parathyroid glands and also cause the elevation of PTH (parathyroid hormone).
Moreover, birds don’t have any genetic history for the deficiency of calcium. In other words, calcium deficiency in birds develops due to their improper diet.
So, we can easily overcome their calcium deficiency with a proper diet. In addition, the fiber in chia seeds assists digestion in birds.
Can Wild Birds Eat Chia Seeds?
Yes, not only pet birds but wild birds can also eat chia seeds in an appropriate amount. As excess chia seeds can increase choking issues in them. The reason is that chia seeds can absorb water 10 times more than their weight.
So, we also keep in mind that we have to feed them to any birds after soaking them into water. Also, avoid them to soak in milk, as birds are unable to digest milk due to the lack of lactase enzyme.
Best Ways to Prepare and Serve Chia Seeds to Birds:
Following are the best ways to prepare chia seeds for your pet birds. Not only this but with these methods, you can enhance the nutritional value of food for your birds.
Chop:
Chop is that dish that doesn’t have fixed ingredients. As it may contain finely chopped fruits, nuts, or boiled vegetables.
And this is the best way to present the best nutritional food to your birds, and with this, you can introduce new ingredients to your pet’s food.
Cooked Grains:
Following ingredients, for birds, you can add in chop after cooking.
- Oats
- Barley
- Whole-grain Pasta
- Chickpeas
- Beans
Dry Ingredients:
Following ingredients, you can use dry in your pet’s chop.
- Barley Flakes
- Chia Seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Sesame seeds
- Crushed Nuts
However, I want to clear, that don’t give too many chia seeds or other seeds to your pet birds. As, according to research, just 9-11% of chia seeds would make part of a bird’s food.
And it’s better that provide them soaked chia seeds, as they can absorb 10 times more water than their weight. So dry, unsoaked chia seeds increase the choking risk in birds. Use them to just sprinkled on your chop.
Raw Vegetables:
- Bok Choy
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potato
- Capsicum
- Tomato
- Melon
However, keep in mind that finely chopped these vegetables before offering them to your pet birds. And even needed, boiled them before adding them into their food.
Chia Seeds Pudding:
In addition, another best way to serve chia seeds to your birds is to make their “chia seeds pudding.” However, interestingly we can make chia seeds pudding for birds just like we make for us.
But you have to exclude milk from pudding for birds. Because birds can’t digest milk due to the lack of lactase enzyme.
Instead of this, you can soak chia seeds into the water for birds and then add finely chopped fruits, nuts, and other ingredients you want.
Amounts To Feed Your Pet Birds:
According to a study, you have to feed 1-2 tablespoons of these foods to your birds. However, the quantity will change according to the age and size of the birds.
As we know, the overdose of each and everything is harmful, therefore avoiding adding too many chia seeds in your bird’s food.
Unhealthy Foods for Birds:
As chia seeds in appropriate amounts are very healthy for birds, I also want to discuss foods that you shouldn’t offer your birds.
Fruits:
In fruits, you have to avoid avocadoes to your pet birds or backyard birds. However, no doubt that avocadoes are also on the list of superfoods, but they are not superfoods for birds.
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The reason is that avocados contain persin, which is toxic for birds. Therefore, even the skin of avocado fruit is not safe for birds.
Also don’t add rhubarb (are edible stalks) to the food of your birds. As they are also toxic for birds. The reason is that they contain oxalic acid, which is poisonous for birds.
Nuts, Seeds, And Beans:
Moreover, avoid giving the seeds of apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums to your birds as they contain cyanide in them. Avoid feeding the raw peanuts as well to birds.
Moreover, don’t give them dry beans. Rather than this, give them cooked beans, which will surely be easily digestible for birds.
Others:
Like other animals, chocolate is highly prohibited for birds. As it also contains ingredients that are toxic to birds. Moreover, avoid giving alcohol and any other thing having caffeine in it to birds.
Final Thoughts:
This article is all about birds can eat chia seeds? And healthy ways to feed them to birds. So. At first, birds not only can eat chia seeds, but they should’ve to eat chia seeds. As chia seeds contain a lot of beneficial nutrients which are necessary for their growth.
But one thing keeps in mind that it doesn’t give them too many chia seeds. You just have to make them 10% of their food. And you can do this by sprinkle on their food, making chia seeds pudding for them.