“Feed the birds in winter; in return, they will feed your soul with the look of gratitude!”
Mehmet Murat Ildan
Budgies in general need more than seeds for their well being. This is true for other birds too. Following is a typical food list for budgies.
Seeds:
There are different types of budgie seed mix available in the market. Any brand should be fine like living world, Hagen, etc. If the mix has canary seeds and oats then it will be great. Most of the birds like canary seeds
Pellets:
Pellets are important like seeds. They have vitamins and minerals added which compensate for any deficiency in the regular diet. There are different brands and flavors available. It is better to crush them a bit before feeding them. It is a good idea to mix different flavors.
Pellets of multiple flavours mixed and crushed. Flavours used here are Veggie blend, Fruit blend and others.
Treats:
This is nothing but spray millet. This is useful for taming. Birds like them as snack.
Vitamin supplement:
If pellets are served as major food (75% or more of the total diet) then additional vitamin supplements are not needed. Pellets would have those already.
If seed is the main food, then birds do not get all vitamins from seeds or soft food. For such diet, feeding vitamins atleast once or twice a month is advisable.
Any vitamin supplement like Hari Prime is good. During breeding time and molting time, supplements are essential.
Cuttle bone:
This is good for the bird’s bones, beaks. This is one of the important supplements.
Mineral block:
This is good for bird’s beak. Birds use it for trimming. Available at Petsmart, amazon etc.
Charcoal:
This helps in bird’s digestion.
Sample: https://www.amazon.ca/Hari-Suppl%C3%A9ment-charbon-pour-oiseaux/dp/B0002ARUR4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bird+charcoal&qid=1588631956&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1
Oyster shell (Crushed):
This is good for calcium.
Sample: https://www.amazon.ca/Hagen-B2460-Oyster-Shells-15-5-Ounce/dp/B0002ARURE/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=bird+calcium&qid=1588632000&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-6
Clay-Cal:
This is good for calcium.
Sample: https://www.amazon.ca/Hari-Clay-Cal-Bentonite-Supplement-Birds/dp/B0849F5QDZ
Charcoal, Oyster shell and clay-cal can be mixed together and crushed.
Egg shell:
Crushed shell of boiled egg. Layer of skin on the inside of shell needs to be removed before crushing.
Rich in Calcium.
Not recommended when parents feed the babies.
Vegetables:
Mixture of freshly chopped Spinach, Kale and Lettuce
Mixture of freshly chopped Carrot, Beetroot, Broccoli, Beans and small piece of boiled egg
Chopped Fresh Celery
Corn:
Full or cut into small pieces
Apple:
Apple with seeds removed, skin peeled and cut into small pieces
Grams:
Chick peas, green gram, green peas (dry) – soaked and crushed a bit
Soaked and crushed mix of chickpeas and green grams
Soaked wheat:
Wheat soaked overnight
Rice:
Brown and red rice mixed and boiled
Sprouts:
Always keep an eye on the quantity of the food. Too much is also not good
Leave a Reply