Broccoli

[Clairecanary15]

Just a quick one...

The canaries love broccoli and noticed they always have a go at the stalk.

I cut most of the stalk off this morning and placed the main broccoli head in their dishes. I then grated the stalk. Bit tough going. I then fed the canaries and they went mad over the grated stalk..couldn't get enough. Feeling pleased because now the whole broccoli piece is being used.

 

[expressmailtome]

It is great that you found a way of providing the vegetable that they enjoy.

 

[Birdbabe]

Great idea!

 

[TikiMyn]

Awesome that they love eating so healthy! And yay to less waste!

 

[Clairecanary15]

The stalk centre is softer. It will be ideal grated for the hens when they feed their chicks..as the hens are always in a hurry.

 

[LSA]

My budgies LOVE broccoli... then I started reading about the toxins in them. I got scared and asked @Mizzely.

 

[Clairecanary15]

My budgies LOVE broccoli... then I started reading about the toxins in them. I got scared and asked @Mizzely.

I didnt know that broccoli had toxins. Broccoli is widely used by many breeders for canaries and for other breeds. Are the toxins very harmful? Do you have more information? I use broccoli once a week...

 

[LSA]

As I said, it scared me, too! I had been daily giving my budgies kale and broccoli! So, I asked @Mizzely!

 

[LSA]

Oh, my thread with her response is at Phyto toxins???? | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum under phyto toxins.

 

[Lady Jane]

The most nutritious part of a broccoli are the leaves. I always try to serve them if they are still on the stalk.

 

[Mizzely]

I would not avoid feeding broccoli or greens because of these "toxins".

Every food we eat has "something" in it that is potentially dangerous. Organic too. If we avoided every potential hazard, we would cease to live. Air, water, food...all carry risks.

Variety and moderation is the key.

 

[Clairecanary15]

Im in complete agreement. .abit of everything edible is good. I too feed leaves if they are still attached to the broccoli head. Will carry on. Canaries love getting their little beak on the floret and now flying off with a grated bit of the stalk.

 

[LSA]

Despite what anybody says, my babies still get their daily kale and broccoli

 

[Clairecanary15]

Despite what anybody says, my babies still get their daily kale and broccoli

Mine have their greens everyday. The canaries need darker greens in particular as their bodies assimilate it into the colour pigments for their coloured plumage whether they are clears or greens. Im presuming it is the same for other breeds...

 

[LSA]

That's one reason my conures get chili's in their chop!

 

[Serin]

My society finches are funny. Years ago, my flock of them ate the tops, like you'd expect and like all the other birds do. At some point, there was a switch. My current birds (one left from the original group) only eat the stems. They dig into the cut part of the stalk and hollow out the skin up to the floret, which they don't like anymore. Weird little guys...

 

[Clairecanary15]

My society finches are funny. Years ago, my flock of them ate the tops, like you'd expect and like all the other birds do. At some point, there was a switch. My current birds (one left from the original group) only eat the stems. They dig into the cut part of the stalk and hollow out the skin up to the floret, which they don't like anymore. Weird little guys...

Hi Serin,

They are funny. I think they know something we dont lol. Do you think the stalk will help keep the beaks in good condition. . and trim? I think ideally I will use the grated more so in the breeding season due to the hens being in a hurry to grab anything quickly but like you will mainly give the canaries access to split stems plus the floret. So your finches dont touch the floret bit at all...how surprising..do you give the tops to your canaries (if you have some) and the stalk to your finches. I think the split stalk gives the canaries something to work at and do..I dont like to make it easy for them all the time... have to keep them busy like your little finches.

 

[Mizzely]

It only affects the reds and yellows if it does. Fascinating article about Feather color. What Gives Feathers Their Color | Parrot Parrot

 

[Clairecanary15]

It only affects the reds and yellows if it does. Fascinating article about Feather color. What Gives Feathers Their Color | Parrot Parrot

With canaries there are the melanins black or brown and the lipochromes..yellows and reds.
Carotenes = reds get their carotenes from green veg and carrots.
Xanthophylls = yellow or green canaries get their xanthophyll from green veg.

Both carotenes and xanthophyll are substances embedded in green veg. The darker the greens the better.

A canary transforms carotenes or xanthophylls into colour pigments which then colours the plumage.

Hope this helps. Colour genetics is a very interesting subject colour in canaries.

 

[Mizzely]

With canaries there are the melanins black or brown and the lipochromes..yellows and reds.
Carotenes = reds get their carotenes from green veg and carrots.
Xanthophylls = yellow or green canaries get their xanthophyll from green veg.

Both carotenes and xanthophyll are substances embedded in green veg. The darker the greens the better.

A canary transforms carotenes or xanthophylls into colour pigments which then colours the plumage.

Hope this helps. Colour genetics is a very interesting subject colour in canaries.

I was talking about for parrots I don't know anything about canaries!