Cabbage

[Jeff McKee]

I've read about feeding the birds lots of things. Sprouts, lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli. I don't remember cabbage being discussed, and cabbage is a cheap green...

Is cabbage a problem food? I can't really imagine that it would be.

(I have zebra and society finches)

[nelloyello11]

From the article on safe and unsafe foods in the FIC -

Thiaminase destroys thiamin;5 it is in raw fish, red cabbage, beets, Brussels sprouts, and berries, and is produced by some microorganisms that can inhabit that GI tract. Flax seed (and therefore linseed meal) should not be fed in high quantities because a compound present in it may inhibit pyridoxine (vitamin B6).5 Diarrhea and vomiting can be the result of a bird consuming high amounts of saponins5 which are present in alfalfa, spinach, soy beans, broccoli, asparagus, apples, eggplant, and potatoes. Lastly, goitrogens have anti-thyroid effects;5 they are present in soybean, peanuts, pine nuts, all of the brassica family (turnips, rutabaga, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi, mustard, cauliflower, kale), and somewhat occur in carrots, peaches, strawberries, pears, radishes, and millet.

Full article: http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php

[Jeff McKee]

Thank you very much. I shall read up!

[Ursula]

Part of the "green day diet" is actually cabbage:

http://www.gulfcoastfinches.com/the_green_day_diet

I think it's like with everything else, a mix is good and everything in moderation. You wouldn't want to feed only cabbage or only spinach. Mixed in all of these veggies are beneficial.

[Dayna]

Part of the "green day diet" is actually cabbage:

http://www.gulfcoastfinches.com/the_green_day_diet

I think it's like with everything else, a mix is good and everything in moderation. You wouldn't want to feed only cabbage or only spinach. Mixed in all of these veggies are beneficial.

What a great article Ursula! I will be taking some tips off it for sure.

[Sally]

Part of the "green day diet" is actually cabbage:

http://www.gulfcoastfinches.com/the_green_day_diet

I think it's like with everything else, a mix is good and everything in moderation. You wouldn't want to feed only cabbage or only spinach. Mixed in all of these veggies are beneficial.

And Doug feeds cabbage, carrot, and broccoli every day. Then he rotates other greens, like kale or collards, giving them something every day. Add in eggfood and a good seed mix, and you have a good basic diet of seed, veggies, and protein.