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FEEDING A BUDGERIGAR
General information
There is a lot of information available about diets for pet birds and as time goes on, our knowledge continues
to improve. This is due to heightened awareness of the importance of nutrition plus increased research
involving pet and wild birds. As with all other animals, birds need a proper balance of carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Different species of birds often require different foods.
Should I be concerned about what my budgie eats?
Nutrition is the most commonly neglected element of owning a pet bird. Too often owners assume they are
feeding a proper diet to their Budgie when in fact they are not. Poor nutrition is a common source of many
health problems. It is important to continually strive to improve your bird’s diet. This will involve reading,
carefully interpreting and integrating the information along with a certain degree of “common sense”. Above
all, discuss nutrition with your vet!
It is not enough to feed a Budgie just to keep it alive; instead your goal should be to help it thrive and flourish.
Your bird’s health will depend on how well it is fed.
What does my Budgie naturally eat?
Budgies eat a variety of grasses and plants found on the ground in the wild. Budgies are vulnerable to
obesity, iodine deficiencies and related problems. A well balanced and varied diet must be maintained at all
times.
What should I feed my Budgie?
Seeds
Seeds are available everywhere, remain fresh when stored properly and are very convenient to feed.
Although Budgies do eat seeds, they would naturally consume a far greater variety of seed types in the wild as
different plants come into season than they do in captivity. An all seed diet tends to be high in fat and
provides an imbalanced source of nutrients that will lead to ill health and potentially shorten the life
expectancy of your Budgie. Commercial seed mixes may contain from 2 - 8 different kinds of seeds. The
problem that exists when offering a large container of seed to a Budgie, is that the bird proceeds to selectively
eat 1 or 2 of its “favourite” types of seed only. Millet seed is often chosen preferentially. As well, owners will
give a “millet spray” or branch. This, of course, is more of the same seed and leads to further malnutrition.
“Honey Sticks” are often offered but once again contain more seed stuck together with sugar and honey.
“Molting foods”, “song foods” and “conditioning foods” are also available. These products are simply different
combinations of seeds that really have no particular bearing on the condition described. What does lead to
healthy molt, song and condition is a balanced diet all of the time. If a smaller amount of a good quality,
varied seed mix is offered then it is likely the bird will eat a greater variety of seed. Offer less and they will
eat better.
How much do I offer?
As a guideline, most Budgies can be maintained on 1.5 - 2 level “measure” teaspoons of seeds per bird, per
day in a shallow dish depending on the size of the bird. If there is more than one Budgie in the cage, separate
dishes should be used for each bird to ensure those birds at the bottom of the “pecking order” have a chance to
eat. This may not be possible in a flock situation. Any seeds left over in the dish at the end of the day could
suggest that too many seeds were offered originally. Seeds should only be a small part of a balanced diet.
Fruits and vegetables
As a general rule regarding food offered to a bird, any wholesome, nutritious food that you and your family
eat, your bird can eat. Fruits, vegetables and greens should account for approximately 20 - 25% of the diet.
Pale vegetables, with a high water composition (i.e. Iceberg lettuce, celery) offer very little nutritional value.
Avocado is reported to be potentially toxic.
Fruits and vegetables must be washed thoroughly to remove chemicals and be cut into manageable pieces
depending on the size of the bird. It is not necessary to take the skin off. They should be offered in a separate
dish.
Here is a tip to help get your bird to eat fruits and vegetables. Treat your bird like a small child; offer a large
variety of food items daily and never stop trying.
Another great source of nutrients, enjoyed by the vast majority of birds is sprouting pulses - chick-peas and
beans, soaked overnight and then laid out to sprout can be included to a diet to give an excellent addition.
Formulated or pelleted diets
Pellets, crumble and hand-feeding mashes have been developed to meet all your bird’s nutritional needs.
Different formulations are available for different life stages and for the management of certain diseases.
Hand raised babies are the easiest to start on a pelleted diet. If you decide to go for a complete diet rather
than making one up yourself with a variety of food inputs, then many consider that pellets are the ideal diet,
therefore you are encouraged to slowly train “seed eating” birds to a pelleted diet.
How do I convert my bird to a pelleted diet?
Converting seed eating birds (“seed-aholics”) onto a formulated diet is not always easy. Mature Budgies are
particularly troublesome to convert to pellets. Being a new item in the cage, pellets are not identified
immediately as food. Slowly wean the bird off seeds over a period of weeks while having pellets constantly
available in a separate dish. Some people mix the pellets in a reduced amount of seed which may aid its
acceptance in the cage but be aware that the bird will not accidentally eat a pellet. It may take days, weeks or
months to modify a bird’s diet. Several Budgies kept together may be more likely to convert from seeds.
NEVER withdraw seeds entirely without first being certain the bird is eating the formulated foods plus some
fruits and vegetables. Budgies are stubborn, but can be trained. Remember, you train the bird; do not let it
train you. Monitor your Budgie very closely during this conversion.
This can be a stressful time for you and your Budgie. Consult your veterinary surgeon if encountering any
problems with this adaptation or the health of the bird.
Water
Fresh clean water must be available at all times. Dishes must be cleaned thoroughly every day, especially the
tube or gravity water containers.
What about “people” food?
Follow the general rule discussed above and your “common sense”. Some birds even enjoy a small amount of
lean meat, cheese or egg occasionally. Dairy products should be consumed in moderation. It would only be
common sense that “junk food” and alcoholic beverages be avoided.
Will my bird have any different needs throughout its life?
Birds that are extremely young, stressed, injured, laying eggs or raising young may have certain special
requirements. Consult your vet with regard to these situations.
Do I need to use a vitamin-mineral mixture?
If your bird is on a great diet, does it need extra vitamins, minerals or amino-acids? There is much written
about supplementation. The powdered supplements are often regarded as more stable. Mix these products
with water or preferably apply directly onto moist food. Placing these powders on seeds or dried foods is of
little value since it will ultimately end up on the bottom of the food dish. One opinion suggests that a bird
eating 75 - 80% of its diet in the form of pelleted or formulated food may not need supplements. Specific
vitamins or minerals may be more important at various times during a bird’s life (e.g. egg laying - requires
calcium supplementation). Your vet can help you assess your bird’s diet and it’s particular needs.
Does my bird need gravel or grit?
In the wild, a bird would naturally consume small stones, gravel or grit whenever it wishes to. This is to aid
in the mechanical digestion of seeds. Controversy exists over its need in captivity especially with formulated
diets. Offering a small amount in a separate dish will allow the bird to decide if it needs or wants it. Never
place gravel on the bottom of the cage as the bird is then forced to eat it out of its “toilet”, the dirtiest part of
the cage. Gravel with charcoal in it is reported to absorb certain vitamins from the digestive tract making
them unavailable to the bird. White oyster shell may be part of some gravel mixes. Some sick birds will eat
inappropriate amounts of grit. If irregular or excessive consumption is witnessed, consult your vet.
Tips
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Always monitor the amount of food eaten every day by each bird.
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Offer fresh water every day.
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Offer fresh food every day.
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Offer fresh fruits and vegetables every day
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Clean all food and water dishes daily.
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“No” to a food item one day does not mean “no’ forever - KEEP TRYING!
Ark Veterinary Centre