Ask Lafeber

Question:

December 2, 2020

coconut oil


Is it safe to give my African Meyers Parrot organic virgin coconut oil, she weighs 26 grams. If so how much….just a drop or two sprinkled on her seed? I hear its a great source of vitamin A and would help with overall health and feather plucking. I do not want to give her anything that would harm her.
Thank you, i will wait for your response.


Answer:

Hi Myshelle,

There have not been any studies as to whether there is a real benefit to giving coconut oil to parrots. It is a trend right now, and many bird owners swear by it. While anecdotal evidence is something to take into consideration, again, there have been no studies so there is no way to know if the oil is truly beneficial or what any long term effects may be. If you are feeding your bird a high quality, scientifically balanced bird food such as pellets or our foraging foods as 80% of the main diet, with 20% being fresh foods and healthy treats, your bird should be getting all of the nutrition he needs. Too much of anything can be bad, and Vitamin A is one vitamin you need to be very careful with when it comes to giving any extra as too much is toxic. If he does have a feather plucking issue, it is best to have a Vet run tests and do a skin biopsy to rule out a medical cause. Most feather destructive behavior is caused by both a medical and behavioral issue. I’ll give you a link to our feeding guide to give you some ideas of foods to offer. If you decide to offer the coconut oil, it is best to consult with your Vet, first.

Bird Food Guide

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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