Preparing Macaws for Breeding - My Annual Diet Routine

One of the questions I'm asked most often is:

"What do you feed your breeding macaws?"

The answer is... it depends on the time of year.

I don't feed the same diet all year round. Instead, I gradually prepare my birds for breeding season by changing both their nutrition and body condition.

April - June: The "Jail Diet"

It always makes people laugh when I call it the "Jail Diet," but it's something I've stuck with for years.

During April, May and June, my breeding birds are fed a simple maintenance diet.

This consists primarily of Vetafarm Maintenance Pellets, with fresh water always available.

The aim isn't to deprive the birds, it's to give their bodies a rest after breeding season and avoid keeping them in breeding condition year-round.

Just like athletes don't train at full intensity every day of the year, I believe breeding birds also benefit from having an "off season."

July: Time to Prepare

As breeding season approaches, I slowly begin increasing both the quality and variety of the diet.

This is where the fun begins.

My breeding diet includes:

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Vetafarm High Performance Pellets
• Coconut flakes
• Clay Cal - Calcium / Charcoal supplement
• Fresh fruit
• Fresh vegetables

Every day I prepare fresh fruit and vegetables, changing the mix regularly to provide variety.

The High Performance Pellets become the foundation of the diet while the nuts provide additional healthy fats and energy leading into breeding.

Why I Change Their Diet

For me, it's about supporting the birds naturally through the seasons.

Increasing nutrition before breeding helps ensure the birds are in excellent condition before egg laying and raising chicks.

Healthy parents generally produce healthier chicks.

Fresh Food Matters

I prepare fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

Not only does this provide additional nutrients, but it also offers enrichment and encourages natural foraging behaviours.

No two bowls are exactly the same, and I like providing a variety throughout the week.

Every Breeder Has Their Own Method

This isn't the only way to prepare breeding macaws.

Every breeder develops a routine that works for their birds, climate and management style.

This is simply the program I've developed over years of breeding, and it's worked well for my aviaries.

The most important thing is consistency, observation and ensuring your birds maintain excellent body condition throughout the year.

💬 Ashleigh's Tip

"I always tell people my birds go on the 'Jail Diet' before breeding season. It sounds funny, but there's a purpose behind it. Giving them an off-season before introducing a richer breeding diet has become an important part of my annual routine, and it's something I look forward to every July."