Here’s the thing – budgie parents can be a curious lot when it comes to their pets’ dietary needs.
They’re eager for their feathery pal to try human food in a bid to try and broaden their nutritional horizons.
The problem is, the avian digestive system isn’t much like the mammalian digestive system – which means not everything we humans eat is suitable or safe for budgies.
If you’ve been wondering about whether budgies can eat peanuts, here’s the 411.
The answer to the question Can budgies eat peanuts?
In short
Budgies can chow down on peanuts provided they’re high quality and have been well stored.
You see, peanuts are susceptible to a natural toxin known as Aflatoxin – which can be fatal for birds.
Before you get too anxious, breathe and scroll down to discover how you can safely feed your budgie a peanut without any adverse effects.
Peanuts And Aflatoxin
Did you know all birds have two stomachs?
That includes your cute little budgie too.
The first stomach is called the proventriculus or glandular stomach, and the second stomach is referred to as the gizzard.
Pretty fascinating right?
These two stomachs help birds digest whatever they eat because they don’t have teeth to masticate (or chew) the food they eat.
However, when it comes to peanuts, the danger isn’t that your bird may not be able to digest them.
If you remember, budgies in the wild thrive on eating nuts, seeds, berries, etc.
Donna Muscarella (Ph.D. at the Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology of Cornell University’s Veterinary Medical Center) states that aflatoxin is produced by a mold (of the fungi aspergillus variety).
This mold can grow to contaminate perishables like cereals, grains, and peanuts in damp, dark, and warm environments.
And, here’s what’s even scarier.
Aflatoxin is just as deadly to humans as it to animals.
It’s a powerful liver toxin, and birds can be super-susceptible to its toxicity – even in the smallest quantities.
In fact, there have been quite a few cases where birds have died after ingesting moldy peanuts or grains.
In humans and birds, low-level exposure to aflatoxin can cause illnesses like liver cancer.
That’s because aflatoxin is also a potent carcinogenic.
Talk about a double whammy.
At this point, we know what you’re thinking – if peanuts can be so harmful, how come they’re mass-produced and consumed worldwide?
The problem is not peanuts; the problem is improper storage techniques that promote the growth of mold which contains aflatoxin.
That’s why the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) carefully examines the grains and harvests grown in the United States for the aflatoxin-producing mold.
So if you want to feed your budgies peanuts but don’t know how to
Or you want make sure you feed your birdie safely
Carry on reading to find out..
How To Feed Your Budgie Peanuts Safely?
We hope we haven’t put you off peanuts for life because there are definitely many ways to ensure the peanuts you purchase for your budgie (and yourself) are high-quality and aflatoxin-free.
Here’s how
1. Buy Only The Best-Quality Peanuts
We all love eating organic because it’s a healthier option.
But, when it comes to peanuts, you may want to stick to the big companies, even if the peanuts are not organically grown.
That’s because big companies that grow and process peanuts regularly check their produce for aflatoxin levels to ensure they’re following USDA standards.
If you’re still interested in buying organic peanuts, get on Google and search for growers that religiously stick to USDA standards and get your stock from there.
Additionally, even if these companies aren’t local, chances are they’ll be more than willing to make the delivery to your doorstep.
2. Get Your Peanut Products From A Reputable Commercial Brand
If you’re thinking about feeding your budgie peanut products, such as peanut butter as opposed to the real deal, then opt to buy peanut butter from a reputed commercial brand for the same reason we recommended companies growing peanuts in bulk.
There’s less of a chance for bending the rules when it comes to USDA standards for big companies because their processes undergo a thorough inspection.
3. Feed Your Budgie Unsalted Peanuts
In substantial quantities (according to your budgie’s size, not yours), salt can be fatal to birds.
It’s also been known to cause dehydration.
That’s why we recommended you err on the side of caution and forego feeding your feathery pet salted peanuts.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it, folks.
We’ve broken down all you need to know about safely feeding your budgie peanuts.
However, a word to the wise – don’t feed your pet this delicious treat too often to make sure its essential dietary needs aren’t overlooked.
Additionally, here’s one last pro tip before we sign off – always ensure to shell the peanuts you intend to feed your parakeet and make sure you chop the nuts down to bite-sized pieces to avoid choking hazards.
