[leahbek]

Hey everyone, I'm beginning to add more vegetables and fruits to my budgies' diet and I'm wondering how I can make the non-organic foods that my family buys more safe for my budgies to consume.

If any of you feed your budgies these regular veggies and fruits please let me know how you clean them. Do your birds have any bad health reactions? Do non-organic foods cause problems over time?

Also, on the topic of organic fruits/veggies I was wondering if it was necessary to purchase organic eggs for them.

All suggestions appreciated! :budgie:

 

[FaeryBee]

Wash all your fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

According to the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) washing them with 2% salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the vegetables and fruits.

Another option is to mix one part white vinegar with four parts water and allow your vegetables and/or fruit to soak in the solution for up to 1 hour. If you are soaking non-organic apples, those may be soaked an additional 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse with clear water and your're done!

A third option is to make a spray using:

1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup water

Mix the lemon juice and water in a clean spray bottle, add the the baking soda and shake until the baking soda is dissolved.
Spritz the mixture onto your fruits and vegetables, and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse.

While many people find it preferable to buy organic eggs, it is not necessary unless that is what you use normally. I use non-organic eggs so that is what I feed my dog and birds as well. Boiling the egg will remove any residual contaminates on the egg shell.

 

[Jo Ann]

How

Deb has provided excellent info on removing contaminants from fresh foods. Possible Sticky?

Blessings, Jo Ann

 

[leahbek]

Wash all your fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

According to the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) washing them with 2% salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the vegetables and fruits.

Another option is to mix one part white vinegar with four parts water and allow your vegetables and/or fruit to soak in the solution for up to 1 hour. If you are soaking non-organic apples, those may be soaked an additional 30 to 60 minutes. Rinse with clear water and your're done!

A third option is to make a spray using:

1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 cup water

Mix the lemon juice and water in a clean spray bottle, add the the baking soda and shake until the baking soda is dissolved.
Spritz the mixture onto your fruits and vegetables, and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse.

While many people find it preferable to buy organic eggs, it is not necessary unless that is what you use normally. I use non-organic eggs so that is what I feed my dog and birds as well. Boiling the egg will remove any residual contaminates on the egg shell.

Thanks Deborah! I'll try that today. I assume washing with vinegar or any of the other recommended cleaning ingredients should not harm my budgies?

Thanks a lot.

 

[FaeryBee]

Thanks Deborah! I'll try that today. I assume washing with vinegar or any of the other recommended cleaning ingredients should not harm my budgies?

Thanks a lot.

That is correct.
The listed cleaning ingredients are non-toxic to your budgies.
Rinse the produce with clear clean water after washing.

 

[leahbek]

That is correct.
The listed cleaning ingredients are non-toxic to your budgies.
Rinse the produce with clear clean water after washing.

One last question- If i begin to sprout seeds and legumes for my birds, do they need to be organically grown as well?
Thanks so much for all the help!!

 

[FaeryBee]

One last question- If i begin to sprout seeds and legumes for my birds, do they need to be organically grown as well?
Thanks so much for all the help!!

You don't need soil for sprouting seeds...
Take a look at this thread:
http://talkbudgies.com/diet-nutrition/256489-sprouting-seeds-your-budgies.html