While grains make up the majority of a typical parakeet’s diet, it should be no more than 50% of his daily intake. Grain-based cereals, such as Wheaties or Oats, should be avoided because they contain more sugar than grain. Instead, try offering grains in the form of sprays. The tough husk of these grains is also a good attraction for parakeets.
Contents
Fruits
The main staple of your parakeet’s diet is pellets. Choose high-quality bird pellets from a pet store or vet. Avoid those from grocery stores, as these contain artificial coloring, flavors, and preservatives. Parakeets can eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as some hard-boiled eggs and tuna in water. Just make sure you thoroughly cook the meat before feeding it to your parakeet.
Another way to feed fruit to your bird is to cut it into chunks and offer it to them. Crushed-up fruit is also a good option. Avoid sugar-free or jellied fruit, as these are often loaded with fructose and will cause your bird to gain weight. Make sure to use organic, unsulfured dried fruit, as well as organic seeds and grains.
Seeds
Before you put up a feeder in your backyard, you should know which types of food your birds prefer. Most backyard birds don’t like the cheap “filler” seeds included in many seed mixes. But some species, such as jays and pigeons, actually prefer them. If you have a pet parrot or want to raise backyard birds, you need to be aware of what kinds of foods they prefer.
If you are worried about your bird’s health, it’s best to give it a balanced diet – both seeds and pellets – but in moderation. Seeds contain a lot of fat and pellets do not stimulate the digestive process enough. This will lead to problems with their kidneys and livers. You should also provide your pet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Some seeds are sprouted, so your parrot will be more likely to eat them.
Nuts
Seeds and pellets provide a good protein source for your pet bird. You can also give your parakeet treats such as hard-boiled eggs. You can give them pieces of different types of eggs. Another good treat is tuna packed in water. You can also give your parakeet corn raw or cooked. These are all excellent sources of essential vitamins and minerals. And if you are wondering if they will eat the seed, you will find that your pet will not reject them!
Feed your budgies as much of their natural diet as possible. Try giving them carrots. Carrots are loaded with vitamins, and they aren’t very seedy. Pistachios are also a good choice. Just make sure they are unsalted! Avoid giving your bird coffee, tea, or other high-fat foods. Also, avoid giving them alcohol or fried foods. Some fruits are dangerous for your bird, and they contain high levels of pesticides. Try to stay away from strawberries and other fruits in the ‘dirty dozen’.
Crackers
While parakeets have the ability to eat a wide variety of foods, some types of crackers are off limits. Whether you want to avoid the calorie-laden snack or offer your bird a little extra protein, crackers should be given in moderation. Wild birds, like parakeets, are not used to humans consuming such a high-calorie snack.
Parakeets can live for up to 24 hours without any food. However, larger adults require about a teaspoonful of seeds per day. This can be a dangerous option for your birds, so it is better to stick to healthy options. For instance, cooked oats and whole-grain bread are better for parakeets. In addition, parakeets can tolerate a limited amount of honey.
Milk
Your parakeet will thrive on a varied diet, which consists of different kinds of seeds. Try feeding your bird a mix of seeds and wild birds’ food. The grains in a mix should make up 50% of its diet, while the seeds are beneficial for their health. Millet is a great source of protein and complex carbohydrates that break down slowly and provide long-term energy.
You can also feed your parakeet some fruit. However, avoid feeding them fruits with seeds as these may cause choking problems. However, if you want to give your pet a treat, you can give them a small portion of pitted fruit. Just be sure to remove the pit before feeding it. Peanut butter is another healthy source of protein, but be sure to steer clear of moldy peanut butter.
