Sunflower seeds

[GreenWing]

I was told that sunflower seeds cause bad behaviors in parrots, due to a love for them. Does anyone have any more info about this, agree or disagree?

I found it interesting because I train Tiki with them...

[cml]

I dont have any info other than experience, and just like you, we use sunflower seeds as training treats. Training is the only time they get them, and I havnt seen any ill behaviour from them because of it.

What I do know however, is that if given in excess, sunflower seeds can cause liver issues etc, because they are way too fatty to give as anything else than treats.

[Grey_Moon]

I can't honestly say I've noticed a difference EXCEPT when I was feeding a pellet/grain and legume-based diet.

At that point Jacko would of course turn up her nose in favor of seeds or nuts, but I wonder how much that is to do with the dryness or etc of the pellets and such.

Fruit, seeds, nuts...it all goes down the same for her.

That said, seeds and needs can be high in substances that promote itching/irritation and a sort of 'nitrous oxide' type affect which could cause an increase in neurotic/energetic/aggressive behaviours.

[Grey_Moon]

I can't honestly say I've noticed a difference EXCEPT when I was feeding a pellet/grain and legume-based diet.

At that point Jacko would of course turn up her nose in favor of seeds or nuts, but I wonder how much that is to do with the dryness or etc of the pellets and such.

Fruit, seeds, nuts...it all goes down the same for her.

That said, seeds and needs can be high in substances that promote itching/irritation and a sort of 'nitrous oxide' type affect which could cause an increase in neurotic/energetic/aggressive behaviours.

[GreenWing]

Thanks for the responses, CML and Grey_Moon!

[marie83]

I think its more likely to be certain additives in foods and high sugar content that is more likely to create behavioural issues rather than high fat foods. That said fat is used for energy so alot in the overall diet may not help with hormonal behaviours.

[Michael]

I think what you are hearing about is sunflower seeds as diet as opposed to sunflower seeds as treats. Used as a treat, it makes the parrot be "more good" to earn them. If used as diet, then the parrot couldn't care less about you cause it just experienced culinary heaven without any need to please you.

[GreenWing]

I think its more likely to be certain additives in foods and high sugar content that is more likely to create behavioural issues rather than high fat foods. That said fat is used for energy so alot in the overall diet may not help with hormonal behaviours.

Thanks, yes, this is what I heard, too. It's a thing to really limit, I'd think.

I think what you are hearing about is sunflower seeds as diet as opposed to sunflower seeds as treats. Used as a treat, it makes the parrot be "more good" to earn them. If used as diet, then the parrot couldn't care less about you cause it just experienced culinary heaven without any need to please you.

Exactly, I use them while training, but Tiki now wants a sunflower seed every time she talks.

[Pralina]

Have you tried sprouting the sunflower seeds? Then you can give as many of them as you want, as treats, and they are healthy!!!

As for her asking for one.... what if you teach her a new trick, or a new word, to earn a seed now! Or give her one every 2 times!

[Wayne361]

As mentioned, sunflower seeds as treats are fine. I break mine up into three pieces/seed which keeps the motivation higher during training, enables more training/session (less time eating and more time training) and helps minimize possibility that Oscar is getting too much fat in his diet.

Wayne