Most parrots (not only parakeets) will eat seeds if a variety of foods are
offered. Seeds are high in fat and low in most of the nutrients which are necessary
for good health. Some veterinarians compare seeds for birds to junky foods
for human. Budgies that eat only seeds can suffer from malnutrition,
obesity, liver disease even though they may look healthy. Seeds should be
offered for budgies in a small amounts, but not as a total diet.
Pellets
Pellets is a blend of many nutrients. They
are high quality food and low in fat, but they're not only food you should
feed your budgie. It's best to provide parakeet with variety food:
pellets, fresh vegetables, small amounts of fruit, table food (cooked
beans, whole wheat bread, cooked rice, pasta, eggs) and seeds. Budgie should eat about 1
tablespoon total amount of pellets per day including 1/4 tablespoon of
seeds.
Vegetables and fruits are important part of healthy parrot diet.
apples (without seeds), bananas, all berries, cantaloupe, figs, grapes,
kiwis, mango, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums,
tangerines.
Important!
Remember to remove all seeds
and pits from fruits. They are toxins for budgies.
Those above are examples of the foods safe for parakeets. My Munchkins
somehow love to chew broccoli and spinach.
Fresh fruits and vegetables give your bird natural vitamins, fruits should
be given occasionally or as a treat, because of high sugar level and
moisture that can lead bird to diarrhea. My Coconut is a nectarines lover, he makes
them disappear very fast!
Vegetables and fruits have to be fresh, clean and free of any pesticides.
I often buy organic greens.
Don't forget to remove all leftover veggies/fruits food from their cage
after a while.
Veggies and fruits may be frozen or cooked, but not canned. Of course
unfreeze them before serving.
Table Foods
Budgies can and should eat healthy table food with few exceptions. Good
example and often eaten by budgie with pleasure are boiled eggs. They
offer a lot of nutrients. Another examples: wheat or grain bread, cooked
rice, pasta, cooked beans. My monsters prefer boiled eggs than
anything else.
Water
Your budgie should have container with fresh water in his cage/aviary. You
have to absolutely keep food and water containers clean. Change the water
daily, even two or three times a day.
Some stores offer special liquid vitamins, which you mix with water.
Vitamins are most often not necessary and you can overdose your budgie on
some vitamins.
Mineral Blocks
Mineral blocks or cuttlebones are rich in calcium which is necessary for your budgie good
health. They are also helping them to file their beaks and keep them busy.
Millets
Parrots love millets! You can find different millets in pet stores. Millet
is very high in fat and that's why you should give it to them
occasionally or as a treat or reward for good behavior.
That's all my birds sharing millet spray. Melody choice was my idea;)
The way of giving food
Some birds reject some food, but they may be willing to taste it when it
is cooked or grated or sliced.
I observed that my Munchkins more likely eat vegetables that are hanging in their
cage.
Never change your budgie diet suddenly!
Budgies can starve themselves to death.
Be patient and persistent with adding different kind of food to your
budgie diet. Keep reminding yourself that this is for your bird's own
good, it will keep your budgie healthy.
Read also what to
avoid in budgies diet and what kind of food may be poisonous for them. Poisonous Food...
