Birds--General/Budgie Diet

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Expert: - 10/27/2006


Question
Hello.  I am looking into getting a parakeet, and I'm a bit confused about what to feed it.  Some sources say a birdseed only while others say birdseed should just be a treat.  Should a parakeet's diet be mainly pellets with some fresh fruits and vegetables- or birdseed, vitamin supplements, and fresh fruits and vegetables?


Answer
Hi, Roni.  Thanks for posting!  Also, it is GREAT you are asking about this in advance of buying your bird.  I recommend you make your purchase from a parakeet breeder and not buy at a pet shop.  This way you can buy a tame bird who may have already been weaned to the proper foods.  You'll get a better bird.

Parakeets need some seed, however, an all-seed diet is terrible.  I recommend some seed be mixed with pelleted food...about a 25%/75% mix (25% seed, 75% pellets).  However, you should feed your keet a variety of foods.  My keets love cooked brown rice with a variety of shredded veggies mixed in.  They also love corn bread, whole grain muffins, unsweetened nutritional cereal (such as Grape Nuts, Cheerios, etc.)...anything nutritious for us is nutritional for parrots.  Stay away from citrus seeds, chocolate, caffeine, sugar, salt, fast foods...all those things we love that are bad for us!

My website has much information you will probably need:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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