Interval Feeding

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Interval feeding is another way to encourage acceptance of new

foods by your bird.  Instead of leaving food in the cage 24 hours

each day, offer a greatly restricted amount of seeds along with

a large variety of table food items for just 20-30 minutes, three

times a day.  After this period, all of the uneaten food is

removed.  The water dish remains in the cage at all times and

should be replenished as needed.



Interval feeding may very well become the way of the future for

the great majority of pet birds.  Given the opportunity, birds

will overeat, just like many people do.  The larger caged birds

(parrots, cockatoos, macaws) live many years (potentially as

long as 60-70 years plus).  Unfortunately, their lives are

considerably more sedentary than those of their counterparts in

the wild.  This relative inactivity, combined with boredom and

the opportunity to eat any time of the day, inevitably results

in overeating and obesity.  This is yet another reason to greatly

restrict the intake of seeds and nuts in the diets of caged

birds.  These food items are especially rich in fats and oils.