Alfalfa lucerne for birds: For budgies, Parrots, Finches, Cockatiels
Alfalfa lucerne for birds: Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a nutrient-rich plant that can be a beneficial addition to a bird’s diet. It is often offered in the form of sprouts, leaves, or hay, depending on the type of birds and their dietary needs. Here’s a guide on how to include alfalfa in a bird’s diet:
Nutritional Benefits of Alfalfa for Birds
- Rich in Nutrients:
- Alfalfa is high in vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as various B vitamins.
- It contains essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
- High in Protein:
- Alfalfa is a good source of plant-based protein, which can be beneficial for birds during growth or breeding.
- Fiber Source:
- It provides dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut.
- Antioxidant Properties:
- Alfalfa contains antioxidants that can support the immune system and overall health.
How to Feed Alfalfa lucerne for birds
- Alfalfa Sprouts:
- Preparation: Rinse alfalfa seeds and sprout them in a clean jar. Rinse daily until the sprouts are a few inches long.
- Serving: Offer fresh sprouts as a supplement to your bird’s regular diet. They can be mixed with other vegetables and seeds.
- Alfalfa Leaves:
- Preparation: Use fresh alfalfa leaves, ensuring they are free from pesticides and chemicals.
- Serving: Chop finely and mix with other greens or sprinkle over seeds and pellets.
- Alfalfa Hay:
- Usage: More commonly used for larger birds and herbivores, like parrots and pigeons, as a foraging substrate or dietary supplement.
- Serving: Provide small amounts as part of the bird’s environment or diet. Ensure it is fresh and free from mold.
Types of Birds That Can Eat Alfalfa
- Parrots: Such as budgerigars, cockatiels, and conures, can benefit from alfalfa in their diet.
- Finches and Canaries: These smaller birds can enjoy alfalfa sprouts and leaves as part of a varied diet.
- Pigeons and Doves: Alfalfa can be a good supplement for these birds, providing additional nutrients and fiber.
Serving Tips for Alfalfa lucerne for birds
- Moderation: Alfalfa should be given in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It should not replace other essential components of the bird’s diet.
- Variety: Incorporate alfalfa with a mix of other fruits, vegetables, and seeds to ensure nutritional balance.
- Observation: Monitor your bird’s reaction to alfalfa and adjust quantities based on their preferences and needs.
Safety Considerations
- Avoid Pesticides: Ensure alfalfa is organic and free from pesticides or chemical residues.
- Freshness: Always provide fresh alfalfa to prevent the risk of mold or spoilage.
Including alfalfa in your bird’s diet can provide essential nutrients and enrich their feeding experience. Whether in the form of sprouts, leaves, or hay, it can be a healthy and natural addition to their diet.
Alfalfa / Lucerne for birds – “ The father of all foods” By Margie Frayne[1]
Alfalfa is a member of the pea and bean family – which are all classed Legumes or plants whose seeds are encased in a soft pod that split open when dry. Alfalfa grows between 1-2 meters in height and develops blue- to-violet-colored flowers in little bunches at the end of a stalk.
When in bloom the plant is considered mature, or at its peak, and its leaves contain the highest amount of nutrients.
Alfalfa / Lucerne contains:
- Protein – Alfalfa contains 8 essential amino acids.
- Alfalfa provides high amounts of Vitamin A (which many caged birds are deficient in), and Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, Vitamin C & Vitamin D.
- Minerals – Alfalfa is rich in a wide range of easily absorbed plant-based mineral salts and trace minerals.
- Chlorophyll – alfalfa also contains abundant chlorophyll – the green component in plants.
Medicinal benefits of Alfalfa lucerne for birds
- It is a superb natural anti-inflammatory and is highly recommended as a remedy for arthritis, gout, and rheumatism in humans and animals.
- Alfalfa has well-documented anti-cholesterol properties.
- It’s Vit K2 interacts with Vit D to increase bone formation, thus improving bone and joints.
- It promotes the production of red blood cells and is very useful for treating anaemia.
- It is a good diuretic and supports the correct functioning of the urinary system – relieves fluid retention, and reduces the possibility of fungal infection in the urinary tract system.
- The bioflavonoids in alfalfa heal stomach ulcers or any damage of the walls of the stomach and its Vit A content maintains the health of the lining of the stomach.
- It is beneficial for good eye health.
- It promotes the good function of the pituitary gland – especially supportive when the body has to cope with stress and mental & physical exhaustion.
- It is useful to combat fatigue.
- It aids the body in balancing blood sugar levels.
- It contains a digestive enzyme called betaine which helps in the absorption and assimilation of food which ultimately builds muscle and muscular strength.
- It is a nutritive herb, that replaces lost minerals and vitamins.
You can now appreciate just what a useful herb this is. It makes sense to include Alfalfa lucerne for birds in the daily diet of. (Meridian Herbs[2] includes alfalfa in their ‘Herbs for Birds[3]’ range.)
We have a wide range of herbs for birds on Boegie Store[4] to build up your birds immune system.
References
We value truthful content. 4 sources were referenced during research to write this content.
- (n.d.). Herbs for birds: Awesome Safe and Excellent. Retrieved from https://www.wwbirds.co.za/dir/herbs-for-birds/
- (n.d.). Meridian Herbs – Quality wholesale herbs and herbal products. Retrieved from https://meridianherbs.co.za/
- (n.d.). The value of herbs for birds: Parrots, Budgies, Cockatiels. Retrieved from https://www.wwbirds.co.za/dir/value-of-herbs-for-birds/
- (n.d.). Herbs For Birds. Retrieved from https://boegie.store/herbs-for-birds
