Don't Panic It's Organic

[xdartfrogx]

So how about those fresh greens and treats... I remember keeping birds when I was younger, and I don't recall seeing "organic" fruits and veggies. Nowadays they're everywhere, with a hefty price tag. Are "normal" fresh treats ok these days? I know they use pesticides on non-organic foods. I always just washed them well before offering to the birds. Who'd like to put in their 2 cents?

[Corkysgirl]

I know this will be a touchy subject. I go strictly organic with my birds. I know that it is expensive and cut back on luxuries in other areas. I never judge anyone who doesn't think the way I do. I come from a different background from them. I was raised in "cancer alley" in NJ. Five houses surrounding mine had 3 leukemia cases, (an 8yr old, two in early 30's...all died) and two with bladder cancer (1 was my brother who died young) and the other died, and three other cancers, my mother and father, both dead...and I have a cancer that is caused by and exacerbated by pesticides (multiple myeloma). I played in the stream behind the house all the time where there was runoff from the garden. My mother/father had acres of vegetable gardens and used pesticides on it. So....I lean towards paranoia with pesticides in vegetables and fruit. I also do this hair analysis testing on me, my dog, and family. It's complicated to explain. It's also attached to a natural treatment I get. My dog...(just an example) got into a bag of oranges and ate them peels and all, a lot of them. They were not organic. On her hair analysis it came up that she was poisoned by a pesticide that keeps oranges from prematurely falling off trees. Go figure! So it really does get in the blood and stay there. I believe, leaving out the pesticides especially with little birds, they can really have optimal health...live longer. You may not SEE a difference, but who knows how long they might have lived or how much healthier they would be. This is just my opinion of course.

[Corkysgirl]

This article came up in the news feed on face book. It shows the most and least pesticide laden vegetables, and other related issues...if interested. http://www.rodalenews.com/2014-dirty-do ... ating-link

[Ginene]

Our household went organic and Non-GMO almost 3 years ago...so my birds eat this way too

[Corkysgirl]

That's great Ginene! I believe they'll be much healthier for it.

[Sally]

I rarely buy organic for myself or for my birds. I do go organic if I grow something myself, and I don't use pesticides on my garden. I do wash fruits and veggies. I also drink tap water at my house, as do my birds. I just figure that I've gone 70+ years eating and drinking the way I have. I also traveled a lot in my job, so no telling what I've been exposed to throughout the world. I was blessed with a good constitution, as they used to say.

I think everyone should follow a program that they can live with. If it is important to you to go organic, then by all means do so. If it is not high on your list of priorities, then don't worry about it.

[Corkysgirl]

Yes I agree Sally, everyone should follow a program they could live with. What you're doing...and not doing in your garden is great! I actually happened upon "this" way of eating working for a homeopathic doctor and having severe food allergies. I could eat virtually nothing! It turned out I couldn't eat any fruits and vegetables without getting deathly ill. But, I ate strawberries that were organic that my doctor/friend had and was fine. Finally I figured out it was the pesticides I was reacting to. So, I eliminated them from my diet. Later, when I became ill, to me, it became more of a necessity. Some people can deal with things better than others. Some people do have better constitutions. My aunt just died at 104. She didn't eat organic foods. I encourage eating this way because I believe in it, but it's not for everyone.

[Sally]

Corkysgirl Yes, I am very fortunate that I am allergic to absolutely nothing, as far as I know. I've only been in the hospital twice in my life, ER twice (non-life-threatening), the usual childhood illnesses and bumps and scrapes. I am diabetic, but that is something easily managed. My brother and sister-in-law, on the other hand, must have set some sort of record for surgeries in recent years. In your shoes, I would definitely be eating organic and drinking bottled water.

[MiaCarter]

I try to go organic whenever possible.
It just makes me feel better.
I don't have tons of birds, so it's not a costly proposition (and we don't really eat veggies at our house.)

There are some foods that I can't find with an organic label. Kale is one of them. There's just one Kale option in the unpackaged produce section and the little plastic ring doesn't say anything about being organic.

So for those, I just rinse really well and give only occasionally.

In cases where you do buy non-organic, I'd just try to cut off the skins/peel/etc. That should eliminate a good portion of any pesticides that are present. (Obviously, that's not always possible, as in the case of Kale.)

[Ginene]

I went organic and Non-GMO for my son...he has Autism. My birds just lucked out ;)

[delray]

Mostly organic foods over here. My family eats really healthy like my aunt Ginene 's family . though I eat like a bird! ;) Lol but I think eating healthy makes a big difference.

[delray]

Watch FOOD INC, you may never turn back lol. ;) watched it in science class. Teaches us about what it actually in the food we eat.

[mondo]

So how about those fresh greens and treats... I remember keeping birds when I was younger, and I don't recall seeing "organic" fruits and veggies. Nowadays they're everywhere, with a hefty price tag. Are "normal" fresh treats ok these days? I know they use pesticides on non-organic foods. I always just washed them well before offering to the birds. Who'd like to put in their 2 cents?

yea dude, I still fed my birds with veggies bought in traditional market... I don't know if they have pesticides or not, here in Indonesia the farmers MAY still use traditional ways. but who knows...!

I suggest you grow your own veggies too! I was once not into plants, but for the sake of my pets I started reading and learned growing your own veggies are easy, cheap, and healthy... you and your birds will benefit start from spinach, that's the easiest veggie, then work your way up as you gain experience~

[Sadie]

I feed my birds what I have on hand. Usually not organic, but sometimes it is. Everything gets washed first, including the organic to remove excrement, bugs and other pollutants