Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/5/2006

Question
I just recieved a female grey cockatiel for my birthday. I asked previous questions, but thought that since you seemed to know more baout diet that I would redirect to you for this answer. I purchased Millet Spray for a treat for my Tiel, but later read that they are very fattening and not particularly healthy and should be given to the birds only once a month. Is this true? If not- how much can I feed her?

I usually only give her one of the little balls from the Millet Spray, after each training session. Is this ok- or is it still unhealthy for her? I though it would be ok, as long as I didnt give her a whole stem of the stuff. Please share your advice with me.

Thanks again! Maya

Answer
Hi, Maya.  Thanks for posting!

Spray millet is actually more nutritional than seed.  You can feed spray millet to your tiel more than just once per month, but I wouldn't overdue it, mainly because your tiel might come to expect it and not eat her other healthy foods.  

I'd say a reward of spray millet after each training session would be just fine.  You might actually want to give it to her during her training to reward her for something she does when you ask her to.  Place some millet seeds in the palm of your hand and allow her to eat from your hand as a reward.  Spray millet comes in handy when a bird is ill and won't eat, but loves spray millet...it's a way to get something into a sick bird.

Seed is what isn't healthy for a bird as it's primary diet.  Spray millet is seed, but not the same type of seed.  

I would not have a bit of a problem giving 1 tiel 3-5 inches of a millet spray in one sitting, although I would only do this a couple times per week, and only if the tiel was eating other healthy foods also.

Chrys