Can Cockatiels Eat Eggs? (How About the Shells?)

Cockatiels can eat eggs, yes. Eggs are safe for cockatiels to eat, and it can even be an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s not exactly a food that you should feed daily. Still, eggs are safe and healthy, and you can provide such to your pet once a while. This way, you can give your pet a variety of nutrients.

 Eggs are one of the best sources of protein for us, and we can let our pets share in that benefit. Below are some things you may find useful as you feed eggs to your cockatiel.

 Take some time to read on. 

Are eggs okay for cockatiels?

Eggs are an excellent food you can offer to your cockatiel. It’s highly nutritious, but more than that, it’s the protein in it that counts the most. 

Eggs, especially the hard-boiled ones, are rich in nutrients, protein, and healthy fats. According to HealthLine, one large hard-boiled egg can offer:

  • 77 calories
  • 0.6 grams of carbohydrates
  • 5.3 grams of fat
  • 1.6 grams of saturated fat
  • 2.0 grams monosaturated fat
  • 212mg of cholesterol
  • 6.3 grams of protein

Aside from these components, eggs also offer a variety of vitamins and minerals. These are:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B2
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin B5
  • Phosphorus
  • Selenium

Eggs also contain decent amounts of the following vitamins and minerals:

  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin W
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin B6
  • Calcium
  • Zinc

By looking at the lists above, you can already tell that eggs will be a nutritious snack for your pet. A single egg already contains a little bit of almost every nutrient. 

Regardless, eggs aren’t suited for cockatiels in large consumption. It is also rich in fats that can be harmful to birds in large amounts.

Now, let’s take a look at each of the types of eggs you would likely offer.

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Can cockatiels eat scrambled eggs?

Cockatiels can eat scrambled eggs, yes. However, you can only do so as long as you don’t put salt or any other seasoning in it.

Scrambled eggs still include the nutrients of eggs. Still, scrambled eggs are also kind of greasy because of the oil you used to cook to make it.

At the same time, we always make scrambled eggs with salt, and other seasonings included.

Please take it as a rule of thumb to see better ways of serving eggs to cockatiels other than the scrambled.

Of course, as long as you don’t put salt and too much oil to make it, you can always offer a small amount.

Can cockatiels eat boiled eggs?

Of all kinds of eggs, offering the hard-boiled ones is your best best. As I said earlier, hard-boiled eggs are safe and healthy for cockatiels.

Since it’s boiled, there’s no additional oil in it. At the same time, you won’t need to put any salt or seasoning.

As long as you offer it in proper amounts, hard-boiled eggs can be an excellent snack for your cockatiel.

Can cockatiels eat eggshells?

Aside from the eggs itself, the shells can also be an excellent feed for your cockatiels. Eggshells consist mostly of calcium, and it can be a fantastic thing for your pet.

Many other pets and animals (even us) eat eggshells as a source of calcium. Thus, you can offer some eggshells to your pet, and it will enjoy such.

Now, this fact begs the question of their eggs. Since cockatiels can eat eggs, can they eat their eggs?

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Do cockatiels eat their own eggs?

Cockatiels won’t eat their eggs, not unless it has cracked or hatched. Usually, if these birds released eggs, they would only eat it if it broke.

Of course, they would likely eat their eggs, especially if they are too hungry.

Still, it’s not something cockatiels do as usual. If you want to preserve the eggs, it would be best to create soft support to avoid cracking. As long as the egg is intact, the mother cockatiel won’t likely eat it.

Further, it would be best to supply other sources of calcium to ensure it won’t have any need to eat the eggs.

When the egg gets hatched or cracked, these birds will tend to eat it anyway, despite feeding calcium. This act is their way of cleaning up their nest after the hatching.

Risks of feeding your cockatiel eggs

eggs

If you are feeding eggs to your cockatiel, there aren’t many risks you would encounter. Still, it would be best to remember these two things to ensure your pet is safe:

Feeding too many eggs.

As I said earlier, eggs aren’t part of a cockatiel’s diet. For this reason, always feed eggs in moderation and don’t provide too much.

While eggs aren’t exactly harmful, it’s also not healthy in large servings either. It would be best to offer eggs only in small bites and only from time to time.

Feeding salted or seasoned eggs.

Eggs aren’t a problem, but the seasonings that come with it may. Eggs in itself are healthy and packed with nutrients.

Still, offering such with extra seasonings and flavors may compromise your pet’s health.

You can offer any egg, even the raw ones. However, make sure that all eggs your cockatiel eats are free from salt and all other seasonings.

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Summary

Cockatiels can eat eggs, and it can be a great snack for them if appropriately fed. The truth is, offering eggs is not as tricky as other human food out there. The only thing to remember is to provide it in moderation and without added salt and seasonings.

As long as you offer it this way, together with a balanced diet, you can ensure your pet gets all the nutrients it needs.

Resources

HealthLine’s nutrition facts on eggs

Image Credits:

  • Photo by Natalie Rhea on Unsplash
  • https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Nymphicus_hollandicus,_jard%C3%ADn_bot%C3%A1nico_de_Tallinn,_Estonia,_2012-08-13,_DD_01.JPG
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