Sources of complete protein in wild parrots diets?

[Grey_Moon]

This one has got me stumped, any vegan/vegetarian source will say that in order to form a complete protein one must combine a grain with either a legume, nut or seed. But all the research I've done suggests the diets of wild greys do not contain any grain or legumes, instead saying they forage on seeds, fruits, nuts and some foliage. So....if you need to combine a grain/legume to get a complete protein, how do the wild greys do it?

I'm going to be feeding a grey-adapted pellet-free fresh food diet formulated by an eclectus breeder (so I'll be adding more fat and protein)

http://www.parrotplace.ca/ekkie_diet.htm

Seeing as I'm wondering if Jacko has food sensitivities/allergies I'm avoiding gluten-containing grains, corn, sunflower, soy specifically. Now as a personal diet sensitivity I avoid all grains, soy, potatoes (except for sweet potatoes once in a while) and beans due to lectins and phytates and gluten and all of that stuff. I know how bad they make me feel and I would argue humans not to be adapted to eating them. Looking at the diets of wild parrots (except for those who opportunistically eat maize and other food crops) I see that they too, from what I understand did not and do not eat these foods, so if at possible I would very much like to feed her a diet as close as I can come to a wild grey's to see if it helps her plucking.

But the question still remains how would I manage to do this if the *rule* is to form a complete protein that one must include grains and legumes? I suppose I could feed her chicken, eggs or even insect protein (I doubt she'd eat bugs tho---however she *loves* animal protein---I know this because little bugger steals the ground pork out of my beanless chili all the time...gods the vet would have my head if she knew ).

Any ideas?

[Michael]

They probably get some bugs and eggs in the wild from time to time.

[pennyandrocky]

my birds eat meat my neighbor had a fit when she saw me fix their dinner bowels and put chicken in she said my birds eat better than her. my vet said what i feed them is fine they mostly eat what we have for dinner, my cousin was at the vets with me she found bugs in her parrots food she described them he said extra protien and told her to go ahead and feed them the food.

[lwis]

Do you think your bird has a specific sensitivity or allergy?? I am just wondering why you are not wanting to feed your grey things that contain lectin and phytates, which is nearly everything that they typically eat in the wild..... If you eat a diet that is free of these things what do you eat?? That is not meant to sound rude, I am just curious. It seems that with almost every food there is something good about it and something bad, it can get a little overwhelming. I remember after I took a few nutrition classes I never wanted to eat again...but I love cooking too much

I know quinoa has lectin and Phytic acid in it, but it is a seed that is also a complete protein. Providing you prepare it properly (soaking and/or sprouting then cooking), you can neutralize the phytic acid and minimize the lectin. Soaking/ sprouting/ cooking any grains, seeds, or legumes will do this, but the amount that is minimised will depend on the individual food.

Also, there are a couple foods that you can serve with other foods that will attach to the lectin molecules instead of having them, attach to your(or your bird's, though I don't know if lectins have the same effect on birds) insides.

- Fucus Vesiculosis (Bladderwrack) - I am pretty sure it is safe to feed a small amount of this seaweed to your bird, and it has amazing health benefits, aside from binding to lectin and other baddies.

-Okra is also apparently good for binding to lectins. I feed it to my bird in his mash and he seems to really like it!

[Grey_Moon]

I'm not sure if she has a specific allergy or not, but given normal bloodwork and physical exam (no old injuries or etc) and plucking that happens at night and day regardless of whether I am home all day with her or not I suspect an allergy or something like that. She often seems very itchy (regardless of aloe baths, humidifiers...) as well.

I eat primarily meat/seafood and vegetables (sometimes fruit).

[GlassOnion]

You can feed bag o' bugs, which is a bag of dehydrated bugs..

[Cage Cleaner]

Gl

[Grey_Moon]

Awesome, forgot about that, my local pet shop sells can o' bugs as well.
Have to say I might not be so free with sharing my morning glass of almond milk if she's chowing down on crickets n mealworms.

That's true, I guess I figured all creatures required all of the amino acids. They may not however.

[Naurthon]

Well, do birds even use all the amino acids? Find that out first.

Amen, Cage Cleaner. Non-human animals do not have the same nutritional requirements that human animals do. There are many, many animals that are purely herbivores and don't require "complete" (for humans) amino acids. Parrots are not feathered humans. You cannot infer their nutritional requirements on the basis of human needs.