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Can Parrots Eat Chicken? Vet-Reviewed Feeding Facts

Brooke Billingsley

By Brooke Billingsley

Can Parrots Eat Chicken

Vet approved

Dr. Lauren Demos  Photo

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Lauren Demos

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Chicken is a tasty and healthy meat that people and animals alike really enjoy. Is this protein-packed snack good for your parrot, though? Yes, parrots can, and typically will, eat chicken. This isn’t an ideal food for your parrot to eat, though, so it’s important to get the facts before you incorporate this food into your parrot’s diet.

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Is Chicken Good for Parrots?

Chicken is a source of lean protein for parrots, and compared to many other meat sources, chicken is low in calories and saturated fats. Around 10–20% of your parrot’s daily diet should consist of proteins. In the wild, parrots meet their protein needs through the consumption of seeds and nuts. They will also consume insects in the wild, but meat is rarely part of the diet of wild parrots.

Even though meat isn’t part of the natural diet of parrots, it is a healthy snack for them to eat in moderation. It’s a good source of multiple B vitamins, choline, selenium, potassium, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.

chicken breast on a white background
Image By: SUNG MIN, Shutterstock

How to Feed Chicken to Your Parrot

Chicken should be offered to parrots as a treat as part of a balanced diet. It should be offered plain, so avoid chicken that has been fried, breaded, cooked with oils, or seasoned. You should also avoid feeding any raw or undercooked chicken to your parrot, instead opting for chicken that has been roasted, baked, or boiled. Just add a few small pieces of chicken into your parrot’s food as a treat once or twice per week.

Risks of Feeding Chicken to Parrots

Although chicken is potentially healthy for parrots in small quantities, there can be negative impacts if you overfeed chicken to your parrot. Stomach upset, including diarrhea, can occur when overfeeding chicken to your parrot. It may also upset their stomach if it’s the first time they’ve been given chicken, so make sure to start with very small quantities and monitor your parrot closely for changes.

senegal parrot perching
Image By: AndreyOzhegov, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Chicken is a potential treat for parrots, and many parrots enjoy it, too. It’s not suitable for everyday feeding for parrots, but it’s a possible addition to a balanced diet. Too much chicken can lead to short-term and long-term problems for your parrot, so stick to feeding it in moderation as a treat and not an essential part of your bird’s daily diet.


Featured Image Credit: jiaming xie, Shutterstock

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Brooke Billingsley

Authored by

After nine years as a veterinary assistant, Brooke Billingsley transitioned to a career as a nurse in 2013. She lives in Arkansas with her boyfriend, sharing their home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. A dedicated animal lover, Brooke has a special place in her heart for special needs pets, including a three-legged senior dog...Read more

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