Apple Seeds

Apple belongs to the Malus species. Apple SEEDS contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide when ingested. It is not necessary to core apples before giving them to your birds. The small amount of cyanide that would be released from ingesting a few seeds is very unlikely to cause cyanide toxicity in birds. If they were to ingest a large number, cyanide poisoning could occur. My birds love apple seeds and get one or two daily as a treat.

All other parts of the apple including the wood, is nontoxic. Apple branches are safe to use as natural wood perches.

All parts of plants/trees belonging to the Prunus species, with the EXCEPTION of the fruit itself, contain cyanogenic glycosides.This includes apricot, peach, nectarine, plum and cherry. The kernels inside these fruits should not be fed to birds, nor the wood used for perches.

Gillian Willis
Vancouver, B.C.
December, 1996

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Copyright © Gillian A.Willis. Permission to re-use any part of this text (whole or in part) must be obtained from the author.