As we supply our cockatiels with their main diet, we often think of which is the best treat to serve them with.
Some may think of cucumber but they have a lot of questions in mind. Is cucumber healthy for bird pets? Will it affect their digestive system? Will it provide the birds with any nutrients?
Cucumber is considered as a vegetable from how it is used and considered fruit from how it grows from flowers and contains seeds.
So, can cockatiels eat cucumber? Of course, yes. Cockatiels can eat parts of cucumber that are the flesh, seeds, and skin.
The pet birds enjoy the taste and the texture of cucumber. However, cucumber does not contain any real nutrients. It mostly contains water.
Cockatiels can be fed with all parts of cucumber although their seeds contain amygdalin hence, they are unsafe for the birds.
As cucumber does not have any real nutrients, it should be served to the birds in small quantities and in moderation.
Do Cockatiels Like Cucumber?
Yes, they do. Many owners of cockatiels who have tried to feed the bird with cucumber claim that the birds really enjoy eating cucumber.
The birds enjoy it because of its taste and texture. As it contains a lot of water, it tends to be soft and the taste is mostly sugary.
You can offer it as a treat to the birds if they seem to enjoy it although if they do not enjoy it, it should not be a bother to you now that there are no real nutrients that the birds get from the fruit.
As cucumbers mainly consist of water, you should not offer in large quantity and more often to the birds. However much they like it, it should be in very minimal quantities.
Is Cucumber Safe for Cockatiels?
Cucumber is good for cockatiels. It should be given in good amounts and it should be prepared properly before being served.
It does not contain any toxic substance that can harm the birds. However, their seeds contain amygdalin which may be harmful to the birds.
It mainly contains water which helps the pet birds to remain hydrated even when they have not been supplied with water to drink.
They are low in vitamins and minerals hence they are not highly recommended for the birds as they will not add any nutritive value to the birds.
Is Cucumber Bad for Cockatiels?
Yes, sometimes they may have a lot of negative side effects than positive side effects. In many cases, owners of the cockatiels who have fed their pets with cucumbers have reported some of the side effects.
Cucumbers may make the birds have bloat. In case the birds eat a lot of cucumbers, then they are bound to have blot hence you need to give them in small quantities.
Their appetite may be ruined. If they are served with bitter or old cucumber, it may ruin their appetite the whole day and they may end up not eating anything the whole day as they may assume the taste will be the same.
The cockatiel may be allergic to cucumber. You need to observe the reactions of the cockatiel immediately you feed them the first day. In case they are allergic to it, then you need to stop with immediate effect.
They may also have watery stool if they have consumed too much cucumber. In case of that, you should seek help from a veterinarian.
Cucumbers should not be given to bird pets as they may cause problems to them and yet they do not contain any real nutrients.
Is Cucumber Healthy for Cockatiels?
Yes. Cucumbers are healthy for cockatiels. Although cucumbers contain a lot of water, it has many nutrients in minimal quantities that can be helpful to cockatiels.
It contains vitamin A which is essential information of mucous membrane and also helps boost the immune system of the birds.
Water, which is the main component, helps the birds to remain hydrated even when they have not been supplied with water to drink.
The cucumbers also contain antioxidants that enable the birds to have a strong immune system and fight against other bacterial and viral infections.
It contains minerals which are very essential. For instance, it contains potassium which is good for cardiovascular functions, magnesium and potassium regulate water balance in the body, calcium is essential for their bones.
Cucumber is healthy only that the amount of its intake should be regulated. If given in large quantities it may have negative side effects.
Can Cockatiels Eat Cucumber Skin?
Yes, they can eat cucumber skin. Cockatiels can eat all parts of cucumber provided they have been served properly in a good amount.
The cucumber skin or peel needs to be washed thoroughly to remove any substance that may contaminate the birds’ bodies.
The cucumber can also be placed in a solution of apple cider vinegar and water to soak for a period of 5 minutes. This will help kill all the germs that may be available on the cucumber skin.
The skin contains the most nutrients in cucumber. They contain fiber that aids in digestion. They also contain antioxidants that help the immune system.
It is healthy for you to feed your pet bird with cucumber skin.
Can Cockatiels Eat Too Much Cucumber?
Absolutely no. Cockatiels cannot eat too much cucumber. Cucumbers contain a lot of water which when taken in large quantities may cause problems to the birds.
They may cause a problem known as polyuria which is a condition in birds that make them produce watery stool. In case it goes for more than 2 days then you need to consult an avian veterinary.
Too much cucumber may displace other fruits hence healthier fruits may not be able to be consumed by the birds.
Too cucumbers can also cause bloating in birds which is a painful condition. The intake of cucumbers should be limited to avoid this.
However, it is good for overweight cockatiels as it contains low calories, sugar, and fats. This helps regulates their overall body weight.
How Many Cucumbers Can Cockatiels Eat?
Cockatiels should be served with one small slice, a couple of inches thick. This is enough for each serving.
The birds should be served with cucumbers once or twice a week. Serving cucumbers in large quantities may create issues.
It may cause polyuria in birds. This is a condition where the birds produce watery stool. In case it goes on for more than two days, then you need to seek advice from the avian veterinary.
The birds may also have bloat which a very painful condition making the birds uncomfortable hence it should be served in small amounts.
In Conclusion
Cockatiels can eat cucumbers as they are easy to eat, easy to digest, contain low calories, sugar, and fats, appetizing, and relatively cheap.
When you decide to feed it to your birds, it should be done in moderation. Once or twice a week and it should be served in small quantities.
Unfortunately, it does not contain any real nutrients. It has a high amount of water which is beneficial to birds that do not like drinking water and also during the dry period.
The water can also cause problems if the cucumbers are consumed in large amounts.
