Beetroot is one such vegetable we all love to eat. It is packed with tonnes of vitamins and minerals. But have you ever wondered whether cockatiels eat Beetroots? Is it safe for them?
It is a question that boggles a lot of bird owners. So, I decided to do some research, and here is what I found out!
Cockatiels can surely eat beetroots. Beetroots are rich in a wide range of nutrients our cockatiels need. However, overfeeding can result in severe health complications, such as diarrhea. Therefore, serving in moderation is the key.
We can feed beetroot to our cockatiels along with other mixed veggies. One bowl of mixed veggies is ideal for them.
I would advise you to serve your birds with organic beetroots only. Vegetables bought from the local pet store may have added pesticides and chemicals that can be toxic for our birds.
Let us quickly look at the nutrients that beetroot possesses and what benefits our cockatiels can get from it.
Nutrition In Beetroot
Let us look at the nutritional values of 100 grams of beetroot holds.
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Water | 87.58g |
| Energy | 43kcal |
| Protein | 1.61g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8g |
| Sugar, total including NLEA | 6.76g |
| Calcium | 16mg |
| Magnesium | 23mg |
| Phosphorus | 40mg |
| Potassium | 325mg |
| Zinc | 0.35mg |
| Vitamin C | 4.9µg |
| Vitamin A | 2µg |
| Vitamin K | 0.2µg |
Source: USDA National Nutrient data base
Are Beetroots Safe For My Cockatiels?
Beetroots are entirely safe for cockatiels to eat. However, remember to serve them in moderation; anything in excess can be wrong for our birds.
If overfed, beets’ high calcium and phosphorus content can negatively impact our cockatiel’s health.
Are Beetroots Bad For My Cockatiels?
Overconsumption of beetroots will surely do more bad than good to our cockatiels.
Beetroots do not have enough fiber to function correctly in our cockatiel’s body.
When you overfeed beetroot to our birds, there will be a visible change in the stool of your cockatiels. It will signify the lack of fiber content in your cockatiel’s diet.
An excess of oxalic acid in beets is hazardous for our cockatiels. Besides, cockatiels may even suffer from diarrhea if oxalic acid builds up in their body.
Furthermore, the presence of excess calcium in beets harms our birds. Although calcium is essential for bone formation, excess calcium can cause severe health complications in cockatiels.
Can Cockatiels Eat Beetroot Stalk?
Cockatiels can surely eat beetroot stalks, but in small quantities only.
Though beetroot stalks contain the least amount of oxalic acid, they still have a very high sugar content.
When overfed, it can lead to diabetes and obesity in our cockatiels.
Can Cockatiels Eat Beetroot Leaves?
Cockatiels can surely munch on beetroot leaves. However, it is essential to consider the number of leaves you serve your birds.
Beetroot leaves contain a decent amount of oxalic acid, which can be hazardous for our cockatiels. Therefore, serving in moderation is the key.
Besides, beetroots also have a high amount of potassium, which can disturb the bowel moments in cockatiels, if overfed.
It would be best if you only fed a couple of leaves to your birds once or twice a month at maximum.
Correct Way Of Feeding Beets To Our Cockatiels!
Before introducing a new vegetable to your bird’s diet, you must always take a taste test.
You can take the test by feeding your birds a very small proportion of the vegetable when doing it for the first time. Then, observe your cockatiel closely. Only if you do not notice any reactions may you increase the proportion.
Preparing beets for your cockatiels is easy and straightforward. Here are the simple steps you can follow:
- You must ensure that you wash the beet properly and peel the skin off before serving it to your cockatiels. Washing it with warm water would be best, which will help kill the germs.
- After that, make sure you cut out the damaged part of the vegetable(if any)using a knife.
- You can now cut the beet into small pieces and give it to your cockatiels or use a grater to grate the beet and mix it with other vegetables of your bird.
- After a few hours, we must ensure that all the uneaten food is removed from the cage. Also, check if your cockatiel hides even the most minor vegetable portion. Uneaten food can generate a foul smell. This can often stress your birds.
How Often Should We Feed Beetroot To Our Cockatiels?
Anything more than the required quantity can be hazardous for our cockatiels. Therefore, I would advise you to serve beets to your cockatiels as treats only.
Feeding your birds with beets once or twice a week is ideal for them. Do not serve them more than the suggested quantity.
Furthermore, overconsumption of beetroot can even result in specific health problems, such as diarrhea in our cockatiels. Therefore, it is best to feed beetroot sparsely to our birds.
How Much Beetroot Should My Cockatiels Eat?
If beetroots are new for your cockatiels, start by serving them a small quantity during the first few times.
A considerable quantity of beets at once may cause a disturbance in the bowel movements of our cockatiels.
One small slice of beetroot once or twice a week is ideal for our cockatiels. You may gradually increase the amount to two small slices if you see no adverse reactions in your birds.
Besides this, you must ensure the beetroot is clean and free from dirt before serving it to your cockatiels. Try and buy organic vegetables only.
Can Cockatiels Have Beetroot Juice?
We must avoid feeding beetroot juice to our cockatiels.
Cockatiels cannot digest excess sugar. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding them with fruit juices as much as possible.
However, you may serve them a quarter teaspoon of tea or juice. Do not add any sweetening ingredients.
Can Cockatiels Eat Cooked Beets?
Vegetables in their raw form are best suited for our birds. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding cooked beets to our cockatiels.
Cooked vegetables diminish the nutrients of the vegetables, so it is best to serve them raw.
Conclusion
Cockatiels can safely eat beet tops, beet greens, and beet stalks but only in moderation.
One small slice of beetroot once or twice a week is ideal for our cockatiels. You may gradually increase the amount to 2 small slices if you see no adverse reactions.
However, before serving beetroot to your cockatiels, you make sure you wash the vegetable properly.
Beets from the local store are discouraged as they contain pesticides and chemicals. Always prefer buying organic vegetables for your cockatiels.
Furthermore, overfeeding can cause allergic reactions and other health complications in cockatiels. Therefore, it is essential to check the amount of beetroot you serve them.
