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Tofu for Parrots?

ode.to.parrots

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Hey a'll,
So, there are certain foods that I have seen under very long lists of "bird safe foods," foods that (as a vegan) I often have around the house and often consume. Foods like tofu, which are high in protein and calcium, I would love to share with my birds; however, I am having a hard time finding any research about parrots safely eating tofu/soy, so I have not yet offered any to my flock.

I was also wondering if anyone has any experience offering their flock nutritional yeast? It is a great source of B vitamins, especially B12, BUT I have no idea if it is safe or not for birds.

I'm just curious!
Thank you!
 

Hankmacaw

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Tofu is safe for birds. When my birds were ill and it was difficult keeping weight on them, my vet recommended giving them Tofu. You must give the plain Tofu (no salt or flavors) and you don't give them all that much. For my macaws, I would give about tablespoon at a feeding once a day. AFter the birds were well and their weight was up, I would give them Tofu about once every two weeks and once a week when they were molting for extra protein.

The vitamin most lacking in a bird's diet is vitamin A. Carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables and Swiss Chard are all high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is the most often disease seen by vets.

I don't have any knowledge about brewers yeast.
 

SpecialistElbru

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I was also wondering if anyone has any experience offering their flock nutritional yeast? It is a great source of B vitamins, especially B12, BUT I have no idea if it is safe or not for birds.

I'm no expert but I would defiantly avoid live yeast around birds until I got the OK from a qualified Avian Vet. From what I have heard, live yeast can cause problems for birds. I think Vegemite is a dead/sterile yeast product but I would still wait for the ok before giving it to my bird.
 

rocky'smom

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I would also stay away from brewer's yeast also.
 

LunaLovebird

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I'm no expert but I would defiantly avoid live yeast around birds until I got the OK from a qualified Avian Vet. From what I have heard, live yeast can cause problems for birds. I think Vegemite is a dead/sterile yeast product but I would still wait for the ok before giving it to my bird.
Vegemite is quite salty though, and I can't imagine very palatable for birds. Most people can't stand it.

Live yeast seems like it would be a problem. I can't honestly see what benefit it would give in terms of diet for a parrot.
 

HawkEagle

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I assume tofu is OK (it doesn't contain any dangerous ingredients) but you could ask your vet on your birds' next check up.
 

Mizzely

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Nutritional yeast and brewers yeast are not the same. However, both are inactive yeasts. I can't see a problem with it, but if you're on Facebook maybe check out Nutrition for Pets and Dr. Scott Echols may be able to shed some light.
 

Karen

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Agreed, Nutritional yeast is a dead yeast and will not give parrots a yeast infection. I have given nutritional yeast to my parrots.

Some may remember from years ago a Birdie Bread that was very popular from "Parrots on the Porch", their birdie bread contained nutritional yeast.

Nutritional Yeast has a nutty cheesy taste and does have the benefit of some natural B vitamins along with protein and fiber.

EDITED TO ADD: When I added it to my parrots diet the amount was minuscule per serving. When I added it to a large birdie bread recipe it would be a 1/4 of a teaspoon. When the birdie bread was portioned my recipe probably served 40 portions.
 
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JLcribber

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It is a great source of B vitamins, especially B12, BUT I have no idea if it is safe or not for birds.
Not high on the list of nutrients they require. Trace amounts in the diet are good enough. Birds never need vitamin B12. Humans might but birds don't. The reason for this is that B12 is produced by herbivores and, as we are omnivores (meaning we eat both meat and plants), we do not produce it ourselves
 
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SpecialistElbru

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Not high on the list of nutrients they require. Trace amounts in the diet are good enough. Birds never need vitamin B12. Humans might but birds don't. The reason for this is that B12 is produced by herbivores and, as we are omnivores (meaning we eat both meat and plants), we do not produce it ourselves

As JLcribber was saying it is a mistake to assume that something that is an essential nutrient for humans is also an essential for parrots. Humans and birds have many differences when it comes to biology. There is some overlap, in that some compounds (vitamins) that are needed by humans is needed by birds, but that is really a case by case basis. In general, it is good for living creatures to get a verity of foods. That way if one food is lacking others will make up for it.

Veganism is defined as some one who doesn't eat animals or animal products (aside: a definition based around plants is is not consistent with current definitions in biology. In times of yore all living things were classified as plant or animal. Todays technical definition of plantae does not contain organisms once conceded plants, yeast and other fungi being examples)

(do not take this a settled truth) I have herd that there were studies that showed that many vegan diets lacked key nutrients. This resulted in brain shrinkage. However the study showed that there were nutrients in yeast that would could make up the balance. the key to remember that even IF this was true in humans it would carry over to Parrots.
 

feathergirl

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Not high on the list of nutrients they require. Trace amounts in the diet are good enough. Birds never need vitamin B12. Humans might but birds don't. The reason for this is that B12 is produced by herbivores and, as we are omnivores (meaning we eat both meat and plants), we do not produce it ourselves

I have never read that anywhere or ever heard anyone say that so please if you could show me some real research to support that :) Quite a lot of animals that are classified as herbivores actually do consume other animals for meat maybe not often but never the less they do.

B12 and Non-Human Animals

6 Vegetarian Animals We Never Suspected Would Have A Taste For Blood | Popular Science
 

jmfleish

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I too suggest staying away from feeding soy especially if you are feeding a pelleted diet that already contains soy. Over the last decade or so, a lot of negatives about soy have come to light and most parrots don't need the extra protein the way humans do.
 
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