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On cold days, bird enthusiasts may wonder if birds can eat soup. Soup is a comforting and satisfying meal, especially during winter. It brings warmth to our bodies which makes a perfect choice in cold months.
We are quite familiar with the fact that birds can eat insects, seeds, grains, mealworms, crickets and so much more but while enjoying your bowl of warm soup, the aroma seems to attract your over now you are wondering if sharing your soup with it is a good idea.
Yes, birds can eat soup. As long as it doesn’t contain a lot of salt and seasoning, it is practically safe to indulge them in this category of food. Birds will enjoy a vast amount of nutrients from eating soup as it also helps keep them warm and hydrated.
Soups are quite an unusual meal choice for birds but they would definitely love it. However, there is a load of facts to learn about this topic. And this article provides all the information you need about feeding soups to birds.
Is It Safe For Birds To Eat Soup?
Most people are quite skeptical about feeding their birds soup of any kind because they are only certain that bird seeds and other grains are the only appropriate meals for them. Nonetheless, soups can also be a great option for your avian friend. As it contains a lot of dietary supplements such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
We are positive that soup is safe for birds to eat, but there are exceptions that apply to this rule. When sharing your soup with birds, it is of essence to ensure that this soup does not contain onions, garlic, and too much salt.
These ingredients can be toxic to all animals and birds are not left out. The sulfur compounds in onions and garlic can be irritants to birds’ throats, thereby leading to discomforts and ultimately causing ulcers.
In addition, soups that contain soy sauce, as well as fish sauce, should be avoided for birds. Ensure that the soup being served to birds is not steaming hot. As social eaters, birds too can bond with their humans by sharing their mealtime. Soup is one of those meals that you can safely share with your bird, but certain precautions must be taken.
Soups That Are Bad For Birds
As much as birds can safely eat soup there are several soups that you can enjoy but can be harmful to birds. It is safe to be aware of these soups and avoid them for birds;
1. Soups That Contain Onion And Garlic
Even safe soups, as long as it contains ingredients like garlic and onions pose a potential threat to them. The compounds in onions and garlic are very toxic to birds. These can trigger health complications like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Digestive problems are also factors to consider when contemplating feeding your bird with soups that contain garlic and onions.
2. Avocado Soup
Avocados originally are very toxic for birds, and so is the soup. This is because avocados contain a toxic compound called persin, which could cause fatal issues for birds. This soup can wreak havoc on the heart muscle cells, thereby leading to myocardial necrosis. No doubt avocado soup is good for humans as they contain proteins, vitamins, minerals, and good fats but they are very poisonous to birds.
3. Cream Of Chicken Soup
This is an excellent choice for humans but not quite it for birds. Cream of chicken soup contains cream or milk which usually sits well with birds’ digestive systems. All birds are lactose intolerant, and this soup can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Additionally, cream of chicken soup contains a high amount of fat which is bad for birds.
Pros And Cons Of Feeding Birds Soup
While feeding soup to birds, you should be aware of the pros and cons;
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Soups contain a lot of dietary needs for birds | It is an unnatural meal option for birds |
| A variety of soups are safe for birds | Some soups are hazardous to birds |
| It can provide warmth to birds in cold seasons | Soups that are too hot can hurt birds |
| Can help you bond better with birds | Your bird will expect a bowl as well even for soups that are bad for it. |
How To Properly Serve Soups To Birds
Well, birds can not spoon-feed themselves or be spoon-fed soup, their beaks make it almost impossible to do so. But there are proper ways to offer soup to them
1. Make Sure Soup Is Not Thick
The soup you are offering your bird or birds must be as loose as possible. Birds don’t have the capacity to indulge in thick soup as their beaks make it hard to properly drink such soup. When the soup is too thick the best birds can do is pick at it for a while before giving up on soup.
2. Use An Appropriate Bowl
It would definitely be hard for birds to eat soup from a deep bowl, so using a deep bowl to serve them soup will just make it a tough job for them to easily reach the meal. A wide and shallow bowl is the best kind of bowl to use in this regard. And with a thinned-out soup in a shallow bowl, it is almost like drinking water from a bowl which makes it easy for them.
3. Use A Water Feeder
This is another way to make it easy for birds to eat soup. Since soup is in a liquid form it can be served in a bird water feeder or drinker. This way you do not have to worry about a bowl flipping over or the bird spilling the soup.
Conclusion
Birds can eat soup and also enjoy its benefits, however, there are ingredients in soups to be wary of for our feathered companions. these ingredients are garlic, onions, salt, soy sauce, and fish sauce.
Furthermore, soups that help provide their bodies with warmth, are enriched with vitamins, minerals, and protein.
These nutrients can boost their immunity to common bird diseases and help strengthen their muscles for stronger wings. In as much as there are goodnesses of feeding birds soup, there are also some downsides to it. most importantly ensure to always serve this meal to them properly.
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