Feeding a domestic parrot. How to feed budgies correctly

Budgerigars are funny small birds with colorful feathers, brought to us from Australia. What do budgies eat? In their natural environment, they live among green spaces, choosing various seeds, sweet fruits and berries for food.

Also, parrots will not deny themselves the pleasure of eating insects or young buds of bushes and trees.

The basis of the diet of budgies is various grains and seeds. If you decide to get yourself such a wonderful little bird, then take its feeding very seriously. A properly formulated diet will ensure your parrot good health and long life, which means that it will be able to delight you with its chirping and flying around the apartment for a long time to come.

What to feed a budgie at home

A parrot's diet should be varied and include all the vitamins and minerals the bird needs. Otherwise, various diseases and health problems may arise. What to feed your budgie? At home, the basis of the diet of parrots is grain mixtures. They can be found on the shelves of pet stores or veterinary pharmacies. This is very convenient, since such dry food is sold ready-to-eat, and bird owners do not need to prepare the mixture themselves. Also, one can note their low consumption - budgerigars are quite small birds, so one tablespoon of food per day is enough for them.

Many people who keep birds often wonder whether all commercial dry food is suitable for their wavy pets? If you have doubts when purchasing, carefully review the composition of the grain mixture, so you can determine whether there are any undesirable ingredients and whether it will harm the health of your feathered pet.

Grain mixtures

Ready-made food should be purchased only of good quality. Be sure to pay attention when purchasing Is the packaging hermetically sealed?. Also, a big advantage when choosing food is a detailed description of the composition on the pack. The grain mixture for budgies must include:

• Millet (approximately sixty-five percent).
• Oats (about twenty percent).
• Sunflower seeds (fifteen percent will be enough).
• Various seeds: hemp, flax and canary grass.

Among owners of birds and other pets, there is a widespread belief that the quality and usefulness of food primarily depends on the manufacturer. But this is not always the case; you can purchase an expensive grain mixture from a company that has been proven over the years, but find spoiled seeds, insects and even mold in it. This kind of food should never be given to parrots. Why might this situation happen? It’s just that the seller or supplier violated the product storage standards recommended by the manufacturer and the food managed to deteriorate before it fell into the hands of the consumer.

As a mineral supplement or to compensate for the lack of calcium in the body of a budgerigar, breeders recommend adding it to grain mixtures powder made from egg shells. It only takes a little bit, about two to three spoons per kilogram of food.

What else can you feed your parrot besides dry food? What will a little bird eat with pleasure and benefit?

Sprouted seeds

There is nothing healthier for budgies than sprouted seeds. You can make this food yourself at home and please your little bird. It is important to remember that sprouted food can be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than two days, as it is unsuitable for long-term storage and quickly deteriorates.

How to germinate seeds for birds?

1. Take grains that are good for parrots, such as oats, wheat or hemp.
2. Rinse the grains well with clean water.
3. Soak them in warm water, just like summer residents soak seeds for seedlings.
4. Cover the container with the beans with a clean gauze cloth.
5. Leave the seeds alone, periodically checking their readiness.

Keep in mind that despite the fact that many foods consist of grain seeds, bread and any other products from the bakery industry are contraindicated for budgies.

Vitamins and nutrition

Currently, veterinary stores offer a large number of different pet products. Among the extensive range of vitamin and mineral supplements, they take their well-deserved first place. mineral stones and mixtures. Budgerigars love them very much and this attitude is more than justified. Indeed, thanks to such additions to the main diet, birds receive a comprehensive lunch, rich in minerals and microelements.

It is especially popular among breeders and ordinary bird owners. inside of cuttlefish shell- sepia. Sepia is simply famous for its huge range of various mineral salts, as well as its concentrated content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. With the help of sepia, birds are able to sharpen their beak, which protects it from curvatures and various deformations that have a bad effect not only on the appearance of the pet, but also on its health.

When choosing a sepia for your bird, inspect it carefully. This is a white mineral stone, perhaps with a yellowish tint. Usually odorless, but may smell slightly fishy. Before purchasing, make sure that there are no traces of mold on the sepia.

Mineral stones are rich in phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. These trace elements are essential for maintaining a healthy skeletal system in parrots. With a lack of calcium and phosphorus in the body, birds may develop a disease of the parathyroid gland, which will make the bones and beak fragile, slow down the growth of the parrot and can cause dystrophy.

So that the parrot can always peck sepia and mineral stones, they are attached directly to the bars of the cage using a special device. If your birds are wary or even frightened of unfamiliar and new things in their cage, before placing stone food in the parrot's house, leave it next to the cage within the pets' field of view for several days so that they get used to this item.

Also, before placing the mineral stone in the cage, inspect its mounting. They often have sharp corners or parts that can seriously injure the parrot or scratch its beak. Breeders recommend choosing sepia with plastic fasteners, since, unlike metal ones, they rarely have sharp parts and their corners can be easily filed with a nail file or a file, if necessary.

Mineral mixtures for birds are also available for sale in veterinary stores. They include:

It is important to understand the difference between organic and regular sand. Organic sand consists of finely ground corals, shells and shell rock. It is necessary for parrots, as it helps grind food in the crop.

Mineral mixtures should be poured into a separate feeder and replaced once a week with new ones.

There is no need to worry that your parrot will consume too much of the mineral mixture. A bird with a healthy digestive system and not suffering from any diseases will not eat mineral supplements constantly. One budgerigar requires approximately two teaspoons of this supplement.

Juicy food for parrots

Vegetables and fruits must be added to the diet of budgies. You should start accustoming them to them immediately after the bird leaves the nest. There are often parrots that refuse vegetables and fruits and eat only grain mixtures. Usually, such fastidiousness affects individuals bought in pet stores, since they don’t really bother with preparing a complete diet and feed the birds only dry food and vitamin supplements. You won’t be able to explain to your pet that he needs a complete and balanced diet, so the only trick is to interest him in new products.

Place some finely grated fruit or vegetable in your budgie's bowl next to his favorite food. Pumpkin or carrots are great for starting complementary foods. Most likely, in the first days the pet will ignore all the innovations in its diet, but sooner or later curiosity will win and the bird will try new products. Vegetables or fruits should be peeled (if required) and washed very well, preferably by dousing them with boiling water.

Vegetables

Check out the list of required vegetables:

1. Cucumbers and tomatoes. These vegetables must be fully ripe and fresh. Cucumbers are especially beneficial for parrots. They are rich in a small amount of vitamins, but contain iodine, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system of birds and stimulates the appetite.
2. Young ears of corn. They are given fresh, preferably right on the cob; parrots like to pick out the grains themselves. Contains a large amount of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and starch.
3. Zucchini, turnip, squash and pumpkin. They are cut into small pieces or grated raw.
4. bell pepper. Sweet pepper is rich in vitamins and microelements of group B. It is cut into small slices along with the seeds. Sometimes you can give hot bell pepper.
5. All varieties of cabbage. Before giving cabbage to a parrot, it should be doused with boiling water. The cabbage is finely chopped or grated. Birds can only eat the tops of the leaves of Chinese cabbage.
6. Beet. It is characterized by a high content of fiber, vitamins and various microelements. Parrots love it raw, grated or in small pieces.
7. Carrot. Contains vitamin A, birds prefer to eat it raw. You can grate it and mix it with other vegetables or hard-boiled eggs.
8. Chickpeas, beans, green peas, lentils, beans. Legumes can be given directly in pods or sprouted seeds; they must be ripe and fresh.

Fruits

Fruits and berries will serve as an excellent addition to the diet of parrots. The fruits must be washed well and cleared of peel and debris.

The digestive system of parrots does not cope well with tannic acid and various essential oils, so under no circumstances should you give your birds mangoes, avocados, persimmons and papaya.

As a treat, you can give your budgies small pieces of nuts, such as walnuts, cashews or hazelnuts, every couple of months. You can’t often feed birds this kind of food, as nuts are very fatty for them.

Greenery

Various greens are very useful for budgies. It must be included in the diet of poultry. Not only cultivated greens growing in vegetable gardens and orchards are suitable for feeding wavy pets, but also wild plants, such as young buds from trees and bushes, dandelions and plantain.

Before giving these herbs to your parrot, first rinse all the leaves well and scald with boiling water.

Fresh greens can only be found in warm seasons. But what to feed a parrot in winter if it needs grass. At home, on the windowsill you can quite easily plant millet, oats or wheat in an ordinary flower pot or tub. In addition, these plants do not require special care; you just need to water them periodically.

Parrot food usually consists of a combination of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, protein and a base of a specially formulated mixture for these birds. There is no single diet that is suitable for all types of pets. Diet selection depends not only on size, but also on breed: lorises and lorikeets eat nectar in the wild, macaws love nuts, and others need more protein than others.

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  Parrot nutrition

  For a long and healthy life of a bird, it is necessary to know the nutritional characteristics of each variety. Some pets prefer a constant change of food, while others become attached to certain foods. It is important that all parrots have a full range of fresh, dry and cooked food.

  There is a general diet for birds based on the requirements for the 2 most popular species - cockatiels and grays. Many others are suitable for this diet, but some breeds require a special approach.

  It is necessary to adjust the serving size for a parrot:

  Granules

  Depending on the type of pet, a pellet-based mixture will account for 40-75% of the bird's daily diet. The bags are available in different volumes that correspond to the size of the animal - from a macaw to a budgerigar.

  The brand you choose should be of the highest quality so that your pet lives long and looks good. The best blends contain organic ingredients and are made using ingredients suitable for human consumption. Dietary supplements should be avoided (unless they are a necessary part of the diet). In the wild, a parrot gets everything from natural products; this should also be achieved at home.

  Most breeds will consume kibble formula, but some are more picky than others. To begin with, you should give the bird a small portion and observe how the pet reacts to it.

  There are mixtures that contain preservatives, which gives them a longer shelf life. It is basically an antioxidant that prevents rotting. Theoretically, its presence is acceptable if the granules are of sufficiently high quality. However, you should consult your veterinarian.

  

  Meat and animal food

  Some birds eat animal food, others do not require it. Parrots are not very omnivorous in the wild (with the exception of the New Zealand kea), so meat does not necessarily need to be part of their diet. Some owners offer it as a treat. Animal food should be given only occasionally and in small quantities (for example, a few scraps of meat on a bone).

  If the birds are kept outside, they will catch and eat insects and worms. However, this does not mean that you need to regularly include them in your parrots’ diet.

  

  Seeds and grains

  The shape of a parrot's beak implies the ability to crack grains and nuts. The amount of seed a bird needs varies depending on the species. Not counting food in granules, they make up from 15 to 50% of the diet.

  The seeds must be organic and fit for human consumption, clean and fresh. If you are not sure about the quality of the grain mixture, you need to check it by leaving a small amount of feed under wet cotton wool on a plate. If the seeds are fresh, they will germinate in a couple of days. Otherwise, they become stale and most of the nutrients are lost.

  Parrot grain mixtures sometimes offer a more "comprehensive" list of ingredients - dried fruits and vegetables are added to them. If such a product is of high quality, this is a completely acceptable option.

  Seeds and grains suitable for feed:

  • barley;
  • buckwheat;
  • corn (dried);
  • flax-seed;
  • hemp seeds;
  • millet (red, yellow, white);
  • oats (whole);
  • pumpkin seeds;
  • sesame;
  • sunflower seeds;
  • wheat cereals.

  Nuts

  Most parrots enjoy nuts, but they contain high levels of fat and should only be offered as treats and not as part of their main diet. Some species, such as the macaw, love nuts and seeds and enjoy pecking the nuts from their soft shells. Other breeds, such as lovebirds, accumulate fat when consumed in excess and even have liver problems if their diet contains too much of these foods.

  Nuts offered to parrots should be unsalted and suitable for human consumption. Fresh walnuts, cashews and macadamia nuts should be avoided as their shells contain toxins.

  The following types are suitable for most parrots:

  • almond;
  • cashew nuts;
  • coconut flakes;
  • hazelnut;
  • macadamia;
  • peanut;
  • pecans;
  • Pine nuts;
  • pistachios;
  • walnuts.

  Fruits and vegetables

  When selecting fresh products, you should pay attention to their color. Foods low in nutrients (pale red apples, pears and turnips) should be replaced with orange foods (peaches, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots). They contain beta-carotene, which the parrot's body converts into vitamin A.

  Dark green is also a color that is beneficial for pets. Nutrient-rich kale, broccoli, and dandelion leaves are loaded with B vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Vegetables should exceed the amount of fruit in the diet of birds in a ratio of 10:1. But there are exceptions: the white-bellied parrot, the noble green-and-red parrot and the loris require more fruit than other species.

  Products suitable for pets:

  Fruits	Vegetables andgreenery
  Apples (without seeds). Apricots (pitted). Bananas. Berries. Melon. Figs Grapes (dark). Kiwi. Mango (without skin). Nectarines (seedless). Orange (seedless). Papaya. Peach (pitted). Persimmon. A pineapple. Plums. Grenades	Artichokes. Asparagus. Beet tops (cooked). Beet. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts (cooked). Carrot. Cauliflower. Chard (cooked). Chicory. Corn (on the cob). Dandelions. Green bean. Kale. Hibiscus. Parsley. Peas (peas). Pepper (including hot pepper). Potatoes (cooked). Pumpkin. Soya beans. Spinach (in small quantities). Tavern. Sweet potato.

  Pure water

  The bird drinker needs to be changed every day, even if the water in it has not yet run out. Parrots shake out a lot of dander and feather powder, which gets everywhere, including the water.

  Bottled water is ideal, but in many cities tap water is also suitable for birds. If people drink it, then you can give it to your pets.

Your family has a new tenant, but you don’t know what to feed it? In fact, it’s not all that scary, parrots are not the most finicky birds, you just need to know what a budgerigar eats.

You can buy a grain mixture for your parrot in pet stores, but you don’t need to limit yourself to this type of food for your pet. If you want your pet to live a long time (see?) and be healthy, you need to monitor its diet. The diet of budgerigars should be varied and, importantly, of high quality.

In addition to the grain mixture, you need to add the following to your parrot’s diet:

• vegetables;
• fruits;
• grass, greens;
• branches of bushes and trees;
• vitamins and minerals;
• protein foods;

It is important to feed the wavy with fresh food; if food remains in the feeder for several hours, it should be thrown away and new food should be added. Never give your pet food that smells like mold or anything suspicious. Let's take a closer look at what budgerigars eat.

We all know how healthy vegetables are. Naturally, your parrot should only be given fresh and thoroughly washed vegetables; you must be sure that the vegetables do not contain chemicals. The ideal option is vegetables from your summer cottage. You can finely chop the vegetable or grate it. You can feed vegetables separately, or in combination with other foods.

Carrots, pumpkin, turnips, melon, zucchini, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, corn, beans, green peas, white cabbage, spinach, bell peppers, celery greens - all this can be introduced into the diet of budgies fresh, chopped.

Undesirable Give the parrot eggplants and spicy vegetables - onions, garlic.

Fruits

It’s the same with fruits—give them fresh and washed. For citrus fruits, kiwis, bananas and some other fruits, it is better to initially remove the peel, which may contain harmful substances and essential oils. It is advisable to give fruits separately from other foods and in a separate feeder.

Apples should be present in the diet of budgies all year round. Pears should not be given in large quantities, but they should not be completely excluded. Of the citrus fruits, tangerines are the most beneficial for parrots.

Plum is a storehouse of phosphorus, potassium, vitamins and microelements. Grapes are excellent for removing toxins from the body; you can give one berry every other day. The banana needs to be peeled, cut into small pieces and given to the parrot, but do not give too much at once - the banana spoils very quickly.

The diet of a budgerigar should include seasonal berries (raspberries, currants, rowan, sea buckthorn, etc.), you can dry the berries and give them dry or steamed to the parrot in the cold season. Also cherries and cherries - either in season or dried. Kiwi and pomegranate without peel are very useful for parrots. Pineapple can be given rarely, as a treat. The same thing with nuts - only sometimes and in small quantities.

Undesirable for parrots, use persimmon, papaya, avocado and mango. These fruits contain substances harmful to parrots and can cause poisoning.

Greens and grass

What does a budgerigar eat in natural conditions - of course, not only millet. Your pet's daily diet should include fresh greens. The grass should be washed well and picked, preferably before giving it to the parrot, and not in advance. Of course, grass growing in city flower beds may contain a lot of chemicals, so it is better not to use it.

What kind of greens can be given to parrots: clover, woodlice, knotweed, meadow grass, vegetable tops (carrots, beets), plantain leaves, wheat greens, oats, quinoa, spinach (infrequently and in small portions).

It is forbidden Give budgies fragrant herbs - dill, cilantro, parsley and other herbs.

Branches of bushes and trees

You've probably noticed that budgies love to chew on things - for example, your furniture or walls. To save yourself from frustration, you need to give the bird various branches. As you understand, branches from trees growing near roads and factories are not suitable for us. If you are unable to travel outside the city, tear branches away from the road.

After you have picked a branch and brought it home, soak it in cold water for several hours (5-6), then rinse thoroughly under hot running water, then scald with boiling water and only then can you give it to the bird. Naturally, wait until the branch cools down after boiling water.

What branches can be given: aspen, birch, linden, willow (willow), maple, chestnut, rowan, alder, ash, hazel and branches of fruit trees (rowan, vine, plum, pear, apple, currant, viburnum, hawthorn, raspberry and etc.). Branches of coniferous trees can only be given in winter and only occasionally due to the resin content in them.

Also it is forbidden give parrots branches of lilac, oak, bird cherry, poplar, elderberry and acacia.

Houseplants

If you love indoor plants, you may have noticed that parrots often eat plant leaves. If you cannot refuse plants, remove them away from the parrot, and for him you can plant permitted plants and place them closer to the cage. For example, tradescantia, bamboo, crassula, roses, Kalanchoe, aloe, dracaena, citruses and others.

Dangerous for budgerigars, spurge, philodendron, hyacinth, dieffenbachia, ivy, azalea, tobacco, indoor fern and some others.

Vitamins and minerals

For the health of a budgie, minerals must be permanent neighbors in its cage. Of course, a parrot can get vitamins and minerals from the main diet, but their quantity is not always sufficient, especially during the molting period. Be sure to include mineral supplements in your parrot's diet: sand, chalk, bone meal, charcoal, eggshells. Advice about vitamins: buy only high-quality, proven brands. Keep an eye on the expiration date and do not exceed the indicated dose.

Protein foods and cereals

You can give your budgie chicken eggs, boiled for 6-8 minutes. Grate the egg and give it to the parrot either alone or with vegetables. Fish oil and cottage cheese are also very useful for parrots, but give low-fat cottage cheese.

From porridges, parrots can be given soybeans, peas, buckwheat, lentils, rice, pearl barley, wheat and other cereals. You need to cook porridge in water without adding any seasonings. You can simply pour boiling water over the cereal and give it to the bird.

Watch your pet's diet, and then he will delight you with his cheerful, healthy appearance.

What to feed budgies?

A charming downy miracle has appeared (or is already living) in your home - a budgerigar. And one of the first questions that a happy owner has is what to feed this little bundle of joy. In their homeland - Australia, budgies eat the seeds of grass and cereals, young twigs and buds of trees, and do not disdain unwary insects. They also raid orchards and fields with wheat and other cultivated grains, and eat fruits and berries. But their main diet consists mainly of seeds of varying degrees of maturity.

Hard food

The main food for budgies is a grain mixture, the basis of which is millet of different varieties, oats and canary seed. The grain mixture also includes flax seed, Abyssinian nougat, sesame, hemp seed, meadow grass seeds, sunflower seeds (you should remember that under no circumstances should you use fried sunflower seeds - they can be deadly for a budgie), etc. Pet stores now offer a large selection of different foods for budgies, and which one to choose is a personal matter for each owner and the tastes of the parrot. The owner must strictly monitor the quality of the feed. If you open a package and see mold, an unpleasant odor, dirt or other nasty stuff there, you should under no circumstances feed it to your parrot, and the only place for such food is in the trash can. Preference should be given to food in tightly sealed plastic packaging - in a cardboard box, food can deteriorate due to improper storage or transportation, and it does not prevent insects and pests from entering the food. The normal amount of food for one budgie is approximately two teaspoons per day. The parrot should completely eat all the food offered to it, and not select individual components from the grain mixture. You should not abuse various additional mixtures and treats, greatly diluting the main food with them. Remember that for a parrot’s normal nutrition, millet, as the main nutritional element, must make up at least half of its diet.

Also, you can get help in choosing food and recommendations for feeding in our section on the nutrition of budgies - Restaurant "Volnistik"

Finally, you and your pet have chosen a good grain food, the parrot eats it with appetite, is cheerful and feels good. However, you should know that grain food alone is not enough; your pet also needs other foods for a full healthy life and good health (and you also want to pamper your pet with a tasty treat). What can you offer a budgie so that it is both tasty and healthy?

Vegetables

Everyone knows that vegetables contain a lot of useful substances and vitamins. Remember that all vegetables that you give to your budgie must be fresh, thoroughly washed under water and must not contain any toxic chemicals that are used in the process of growing these crops. Vegetables should be given either cut into pieces or grated, separately or mixed with other foods.

Can :

• carrots are a very valuable food containing a lot of carotene and other useful substances. Feed only raw, cut into pieces or grated and mixed with other ingredients (boiled egg, breadcrumbs).
  turnips can also be used as food for parrots, although they are significantly inferior to carrots in terms of the content of nutrients.
• pumpkin and melon are a storehouse of nutrients - they contain a lot of vitamins, microelements and sugars. Feed pumpkin and melon raw, after cutting them into pieces. Pumpkin seeds are also useful, they contain vitamins A, D, E, K and many microelements; they can be given crushed.
• zucchini, squash - useful as a source of fiber and sugars.
• Watermelon is a low-nutrient food that has a mild laxative effect. Contains some fiber and sugars, as well as some vitamins. Pulp and seeds are used as food.
• cucumber - contains vitamin E and microelements, improves metabolism. Parrots can only be given cucumbers from their own garden and in no case purchased. Cucumbers are given to parrots only fresh.
• Tomato is a good type of food containing carotene, vitamin C and B vitamins, as well as organic acids. Tomato seeds are rich in vegetable oil - up to 25%. Parrots are fed only fresh ripe fruits, since green ones contain the poisonous alkaloid solanine, which is destroyed when ripened. Parrots eat both the pulp and seeds of tomatoes. Like cucumbers, tomatoes also need to be taken environmentally friendly, without chemicals.
• beets (table, sugar, fodder) - contains a lot of sugar, fiber, vitamins and microelements. Can be stored for a long time and used in winter.
• corn - given fresh in the milky ripeness phase (when the grains are still soft and sweet). Corn contains a small amount of fiber and a lot of carbohydrates. In terms of protein content, it is superior to some other grain feeds. Corn contains a lot of starch and vitamin B.
• green peas, beans - in the milky ripeness phase, they contain a lot of sugars and vitamins (give only in season and in small quantities).
• cabbage is a very good vitamin food, rich in microelements. They are fed with pieces of leaves, and dense cabbage stalks can be cut into pieces or grated like carrots. Be careful with Chinese cabbage (Beijing lettuce) - only the green part of the leaf can be given to parrots; nitrates accumulate in the petiole.
• spinach and lettuce are very healthy vitamin foods containing (especially spinach) many microelements. Feed in small portions, since a large amount of these vegetables can cause a slight digestive upset in the bird, especially if spinach and lettuce are introduced into the diet after a long break.
• sweet bell pepper - the fruits are very rich in nutrients, contain vitamins A, E, C, group B, P, many minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, manganese, iodine, copper, fluorine, zinc, silicon), carbohydrates and acids. There is more vitamin C in peppers than in lemons, and well-ripened autumn fruits contain more of it than summer ones. Can be given along with seeds.
• turnips - only blanched.
• celery - contains calcium. Only greens are allowed.

It is forbidden :

• onion, garlic - has a pungent taste and contains essential oils.
• eggplant - contains solanine (the same as that found in green potato tubers).

Fruits

Fruits, like vegetables, should be given fresh, well washed under water. Some fruits need to be peeled, such as citrus fruits, bananas, kiwis, etc., as they may contain pesticides that are used to treat these crops against pests. Give in a separate feeder.

Can :

• Apple is a source of iron, vitamins and minerals. Apples should be included in the bird’s diet all year round.
• pear - pear contains a lot of fiber and virtually no fat. The content of vitamins and microelements is almost as good as an apple. Feed in small quantities as a treat.
• citrus fruits - contain vitamin C, tangerines are especially useful.
• plum is an irreplaceable source of potassium and phosphorus, it contains many vitamins and microelements.
• grapes are a strong antioxidant, remove toxins from the body, and contain many vitamins and microelements. 3-5 berries per week will be beneficial.
• banana is a source of sugars and starch; it is given to birds peeled in small pieces (a highly perishable product).
• peaches and apricots - in season, contain many trace elements and vitamins.
• cherries, sweet cherries - in season, cherries contain a lot of vitamins and fructose.
• berries - raspberries, currants of all types, wild berries, sea buckthorn, red and chokeberry, rose hips, strawberries, lingonberries, wild strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, honeysuckle - are useful for parrots in season. They contain many useful substances, you can dry them and offer them dried or steamed to your parrots.
• kiwi - without skin.
• pineapple - in small quantities, in the form of a delicacy (only fresh and ripe).
• pomegranate is very healthy, it contains vitamins, sugars and microelements.

It is forbidden :

• mango, avocado, papaya, persimmon - all contain certain substances that are harmful to parrots and can cause poisoning and intoxication of the bird’s body.
• nuts are a fatty and nutritious food; they should not be given to parrots every day. This can cause obesity and digestive problems. Occasionally (1-2 times a month), as a treat, you can treat your parrot with a small piece of walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, or give 1-2 peeled pine nuts.

Greenery

Greens should be given to parrots as often as possible. It should be included in the bird's daily diet. The grass should be freshly picked and well washed. You can’t pick armfuls of grass - you can always get a poisonous plant! You should not give grass and leaves of trees growing in the city, as many harmful substances emitted by motor vehicles and industrial enterprises settle on them.

You can also find out comprehensive information on this issue in our topic Herbs for budgies

Can :

woodlice, clover, burdock, knotweed, grapevine, meadow grass, lettuce, scalded nettle leaves, carrot and beet tops, quinoa and spinach (in small quantities), plantain leaves, oats, wheat and other cereals, thin branches of fruit trees with buds, buds, and young leaves. You can use spring and summer willow leaves, do not forget that by autumn many harmful toxic substances accumulate in the leaves. Some lovers give budgies small branches of pine and spruce - their needles contain a large amount of vitamin C, essential oils, and fiber. But it is worth remembering that coniferous branches also contain resin - therefore, branches of these species should be given very rarely and in small quantities, preferably only in winter, and in other seasons use other types of wood.

It is forbidden :

give spicy and fragrant herbs - parsley, dill, hyssop, cilantro, sorrel and other spices.

Branches of trees and bushes

All budgies love to chew on something, and they try everything they can and what they can’t with their beak - wallpaper, plaster, ceiling tiles, baseboards and other inedible, but apparently very “tasty” things are especially popular with budgies. To keep your parrot's beak a little busy and reduce gnawing, you need to put fresh tree branches in the cage more often - the parrots stretch their paws on them, and also gnaw the bark and buds from the branches.

Naturally, branches should not be torn near hazardous industries, garbage dumps, or roads. Unfortunately, not all city residents have the opportunity to go to the forest, so you can break branches in the park, away from the road or on the outskirts of the city.

And so you chose the appropriate branches and brought them home. But take your time—don’t immediately put them in the bird’s cage. The branches must be soaked in cold water for 5-6 hours, washed thoroughly under running hot water, then scalded with boiling water, so that along with the branches, no infection, such as feather eaters or ticks, will enter the cage (do not forget that wild birds could sit on these branches ). Also, avoid washing branches with surfactants such as dishwashing detergent, household cleaner, or soap. Surfactants easily penetrate into the bark of branches and it is not always possible to remove them from there even with several hot washes. As a result, the bird may become poisoned.

Can :

birch, aspen, linden, maple, willow (willow), chestnut, alder, rowan, plum, cherry (you must ensure that there is no resin on the branches), apple, pear, citrus fruits, various types of currants, ash, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, viburnum, red chokeberry, raspberry, hazel.

It is forbidden :

coniferous branches - due to the resin content (possible only rarely and in small quantities); bird cherry and oak - they contain large quantities of tannins; lilac - the buds and bark contain the bitter-tasting glycoside syringin; elderberry; poplar - absorbs toxic substances from the atmosphere; acacia - most types of acacia are poisonous, and since acacia has many visually difficult to distinguish varieties, it is possible to incorrectly identify the species and poison the bird.

House plants

Now there is a huge selection of house plants, more than 2000 species (these are the most common) and many more rare and new plants. You should not give your parrot plants treated with pesticides. Also, you should not give the bird the entire flowerpot along with the soil if mineral fertilizers have been added to the latter. Many people keep poisonous and non-poisonous plants together in the house. To prevent your parrot from accidentally eating a poisonous plant, it is better to isolate them from each other. If the parrot enjoys unlimited freedom and has access to all the owner’s window sills, then you will have to get rid of dangerous plants, leaving only edible ones. Also, you should not give your parrot bouquets of flowers from flower shops - they are treated with various chemicals so that they retain their fresh appearance longer.

Also, you can learn a lot of new things on this issue in our topic House plants that budgies can eat.

Can :

tradescantia, Crassula (Crassula), chlorophytums, bamboo, Kalanchoe, indoor palms, roses, cyperus, birch (cissus), yucca, aloe, hibiscus (Chinese rose), peperomia, rheo, dracaenas, citruses, chrysanthemums, etc.

It is forbidden :

orange chlorophytum, philodendron, spurge, hemlock, dieffenbachia, hyacinths, ivy, buttercup, yew, arum, wolfberry, heather, azalea, tobacco, privet, broom, borax, foxglove, potato sprouts, rhododendron, belladonna, indoor fern, snowdrop, etc. .

Mineral supplements and vitamin supplements

For the normal functioning of the budgie's body, mineral components must always be present in its cage. Substances supplied with food cannot fully meet the body's needs for some macro- and microelements. For example, the need for mineral salts during the period of molting and nesting increases by 2-3 times. That is why you should artificially add mineral supplements that are so necessary to your budgie’s diet. We will analyze why each of them is needed in order. Also, if during the familiarization process you have any questions, you can always contact our specialists in the topic of Mineral fertilizing

And now a little about vitamins. Budgerigars need vitamin supplements no less than mineral ones. The need for vitamins especially increases in the autumn-winter period, when there is little or no greenery, fresh fruits and vegetables on the street. Vitamins are also needed when the bird is sick or molting. At the moment, pet stores and veterinary pharmacies have a wide selection of vitamins, so to speak, for all occasions.

When choosing vitamins and their use, you should remember several rules:

• you need to purchase vitamins only from trusted manufacturers and never buy questionable brands;
• check expiration dates and integrity of packaging immediately at the point of purchase;
• do not hesitate, but immediately, on the spot, ask for all the information that interests you on this issue;
• do not abuse vitamin preparations - remember that vitamins are given strictly according to the course and dosage, which must be indicated on the package or leaflet;
• An open bottle of vitamins is usually stored for no more than a month and after this time, the drug must be replaced with a new one.

You can also use lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and honey as vitamin supplements.

• lemon juice - add 2-3 drops to the drinker. This juice, in addition to protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and organic acids, also contains very important vitamins: C, E, PP, B vitamins; minerals - potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorus, manganese, fluorine, boron, molybdenum, sulfur, chlorine. Not every juice has such a rich mineral composition. Certain substances, which are abundant in lemon juice, together with ascorbic acid, strengthen the smallest blood vessels and take an active part in redox processes in the body.
• apple cider vinegar - used to prevent megabacteriosis and as a source of vitamins. Once a week you can add 1 ml of apple cider vinegar per 100 ml of water to the drinker. Apple cider vinegar should only be natural and no more than 5%.
• honey - add 3-5 drops per 100 ml of water to the drinking bowl. It is a good source of vitamins and helps with intestinal blockage by acting as a laxative.

If you still have questions related to vitamins, please visit our topic about vitaminsQuestions about vitamins

Sprouted feed

Another good and nutritious type of food is sprouted grain seeds. Sprouted grains have a lot of vitamins and have a great effect on the functioning of the parrot’s body as a whole - such grains are a product of increased biological value, in which living active energy and valuable nutrients are concentrated. When germinated in grains, the content of some B vitamins and vitamin E increases; Vitamin C appears in sprouts, which is absent in regular grains; the amount of sugar and fiber increases. In sprouted grains, phytates are partially destroyed, which block the body's absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and other mineral elements. Sprouted food is a powerful stimulant of the body's vital functions - it increases immunity, regulates and restores vital processes in the body, and ensures normal metabolism. The need for such feed especially increases in the winter months, when there are very few nutrients left in fruits and vegetables and the only natural way to replenish them is to use grain sprouting. Also, such food is indispensable during the molting period and when feeding chicks.

Before you start germination, you first need to select the grains. Grain should be purchased from trusted suppliers - it should not have a moldy odor and be treated with pesticides. To test grain for suitability, it is filled with water - “dead grains” immediately float to the surface, from where they are immediately removed, and good grains will remain at the bottom. You can germinate a lot of crops - millet, oats, buckwheat, wheat, barley, etc. There is no need to germinate a lot of grain at one time. Remember that sprouted grains can be stored for no more than 48 hours and then in the refrigerator.

So, how to germinate grain. A small amount of grain is washed under cold running water and poured into a flat dish, preferably glass or porcelain, in a layer of 0.5-1 cm. The grains can be poured either on a lined cloth or gauze, or directly on the bottom of the dish. The top of the grain is covered with cloth or gauze and water at room temperature is poured to the top level of the grain. After this, the container with grain is placed in a warm, dark place. As the moisture dries, the top fabric needs to be moistened.

In a day or two, the grain sprouts from 1 to 3 mm (depending on environmental conditions and grain quality) and can be fed to the bird.

Also, special attention should be paid to steaming the grain. After all, even just swollen grains that have not yet hatched, but are already filled with juices, are complete food for a budgie. Steaming grain is a much simpler process than germination - pour a small amount of grain into a mug or thermos and pour boiling water over it for several hours. After some time, the water is drained, and the swollen grains are fed to the parrots in a separate feeder.

Also, you can get a number of comprehensive answers on germinating grain in our topic How to germinate food?

Protein feed

Another very important type of food for budgies is food of animal origin. But it should be remembered that these feeds are used only as an additional type of feed to the main feed, to replenish the body of certain substances that are missing in plant feeds. Protein food is given to a budgerigar only 2-3 times a month during normal maintenance and daily during molting, preparation for nesting and when feeding chicks.

When using animal feed, you should know several features:

• this food spoils very quickly, especially in extreme heat - that is why you need to give exactly as much food as the bird can eat at one time;
• protein feeds are given in a clean separate feeder;
• under normal conditions (meaning the inter-nesting period), the parrot is fed protein food no more than 2-3 times a month - the abundance of animal feed provokes premature egg-laying in the female, which is very undesirable during the inter-nesting period.

So, what kind of animal food can you give your budgie?

• A chicken egg is a very good and nutritious food for a parrot. The yolk contains about 70% organic substances and vitamins A, D, E, K. The white contains about 28% organic substances and B vitamins. A chicken egg contains such important micro- and macroelements as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium , iron, chlorine, sulfur, iodine, boron, bromine, etc. Give the egg hard-boiled. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the egg yolk becomes crumbly. The boiled egg is peeled and grated on a fine grater. You can feed your parrot either in its pure form or in the form of soft mixtures, mixed with carrots or beets and sprinkled with grated white breadcrumbs or semolina (so that the mixture does not stick together and is more crumbly). You can also add 2-3 drops of fish oil per tablespoon of food to the mixture.
• fish oil - contains large amounts of vitamins A and D, iodine and phosphorus. Both regular natural and enriched with vitamins A and D are available. It should be stored at a temperature of no more than +10º C, but even in the refrigerator, an open bottle of fish oil oxidizes, goes rancid and becomes unsuitable for the parrot in a few days.
• cottage cheese - must be low-fat. This product is an excellent source of protein for the bird's body; in addition, it contains vitamins such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron, as well as lactic acid. The cottage cheese should be fresh and crumbly (if it sticks together, you can add semolina to it). You should not give sour cottage cheese to the bird - it can cause poisoning.
• mealworms and gammarus are also very good protein food for budgies. In nature, the eating of insects by parrots is random, but if you diversify the bird’s diet with these components, then this will certainly only benefit it.

You can also find out more information on this issue in our topic Protein feed

Porridge

Porridge is a good supplementary food for your budgie. They can be offered to your parrot daily. To prepare porridge, you can use peas, soybeans, beans, lentils, buckwheat, rice, corn grits, barley, barley, wheat, oatmeal, etc. When preparing porridge for a parrot, you should remember several features - porridge cannot be cooked in milk, you cannot add salt, sugar, oil or seasonings. It is best to cook several types of cereals at once (but separately, and then mix them) so that the bird receives as much variety as possible. There are different recipes for preparing porridge depending on the type of porridge - you can cook them until fully or half cooked, you can simply pour boiling water over them and let them swell so that the porridge steams (in a thermos or steamer). It is best if the porridge comes out crumbly (this happens when it is slightly undercooked) - in this case, it is easily eaten by the parrot, does not form into lumps and does not stick to the beak. You can mix various components and additives into the porridge, such as finely chopped vegetables or fruits, dried nettle leaves or other greens, etc.

You can store the porridge in the freezer for a long time, defrosting the required amount of food every day. You only need to freeze the porridge itself, and add vegetables, fruits, herbs and other ingredients every day after defrosting. It is better to defrost at room temperature, placing the food from the freezer on a shelf in the refrigerator for several hours, and then from the refrigerator to the room. If you defrost the porridge immediately, say in the microwave, it will become sticky and lose its crispness.

Herbs

Here's what they write about the herbs allowed for pops, I quote:
"vine
bird's knotweed (also known as knotweed, goslingweed, burkun)
mustard (greens)
cocksfoot
yellow acacia (fruit)
strawberries (leaves, berries)
fireweed (aka: fireweed)
clover (leaves, flowers)
nettle (need to be scalded with boiling water, or frozen/dried)
foxtail
larch (needles)
woodlice
coltsfoot (leaves, flowers)
carrots (tops)
bluegrass and annual bluegrass
nasturtium
empty oats (aka: oatmeal)
dandelions (leaves, flowers, rhizomes (rinse, sprinkle with pharmaceutical clay))
common shepherd's purse
perennial ryegrass (also known as perennial ryegrass)
plantain
swamp bentgrass
purslane
chicken millet
creeping wheatgrass
timothy grass
Chernobyl
horse sorrel
yaskolka

Medicinal properties of herbs:
chamomile for diarrhea
calendula or willow bark decoction - for goiter diseases
fennel for swallowing problems and diarrhea
St. John's wort and holly plantain (decoctions) to strengthen the immune system.
strong black tea will stimulate blood circulation and the bird will not die from shock (for example, hitting glass or a wall)
coltsfoot for birds who have suffered from pneumonia, rhinitis, sinusitis" (c)

In winter and spring, when there is little nutritious food, parrots can be given rutabaga.

Cabbage is rich in vitamins and microelements and is therefore a good food for parrots. Cabbage can be given to birds only raw, cutting the leaves into small pieces.

Chestnuts and acorns are rich in carbohydrates and minerals, but birds must first be accustomed to this food. Chestnuts and acorns should be given to small parrots in crushed form.

One of the favorite foods for parrots of all types are nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, etc.), but since they are very nutritious and contain a large amount of fat, their share in the bird’s diet should not exceed 5-7%.

Nuts should be given to small and medium-sized parrots in crushed form.

ANIMAL FOOD

It is known that in their natural habitat, parrots happily eat various insects. Therefore, pets from time to time need to be given food of animal origin, which includes insects (mealworms, crickets), cottage cheese, milk, eggs and meat.

Many lovers give their parrots low-fat, fresh, non-sour cottage cheese, as well as white bread soaked in milk. In addition, a hard-boiled egg is an excellent source of animal protein, which can be given to birds along with grated carrots (dried nettle, alfalfa, finely chopped lettuce and dandelion are sometimes added to the mixture).

Meat contains a large amount of animal protein, and therefore this type of food should be handled with extreme caution. In other words, meat food should not be introduced into the diet of parrots unless absolutely necessary. If such a need arises, then the share of meat in the bird’s diet should be minimal. For this purpose, it is best to use liver, which is rich in vitamins and mineral salts. Meat products, before giving them to parrots, must be boiled and minced.

One of the most complete foods of animal origin, containing, in addition to protein, many vitamins and mineral salts, is a boiled chicken egg. Chicken eggs are an indispensable food for chicks of all types of parrots. For adult birds, a boiled chicken egg should be included in the diet during periods of preparation for the nesting season and feeding the chicks, as well as during molting.

Each fan has his own way of preparing egg mixture for parrots, but the most nutritious and healthy are the following:

Grate the egg or finely chop it with a knife, add grated carrots and 1 tablespoon of white crackers (semolina, bran). Mix everything thoroughly and feed it to the parrots.

Boil the egg and cut it, together with the shell, into four parts and put it in a feeder.

You should not give parrots sausages, sausages, fried or canned meat.

The source of protein, calcium and phosphorus is meat and bone meal, which should be included in mineral supplements or added to the egg mixture (3 g of flour per 100 g of mixture). Low-fat cottage cheese and dry or skim milk are suitable for the diet of parrots. If the cottage cheese is crumbly, then it can be given to the birds in pieces, but if not, then you should mix it with breadcrumbs and grated carrots. Milk can be included in the egg mixture (0.5 teaspoon per 100 g of mixture).

Parrots readily eat mealworms (large mealworm larvae), which are a source of animal protein. However, the amount of this food in the birds’ diet should be limited (10-20 larvae no more than 2 times a week).

Bloodworms (mosquito larvae), well known to fishermen and aquarium fish lovers, are used by some hobbyists as food for parrots. In terms of protein and mineral content, bloodworms are not a very nutritious food, so its amount in the birds’ diet can not be limited.

Many lovers include various insects in the diet of their pets: wax moths, grasshoppers, chafers, fruit flies, etc.

MINERAL FEED AND ADDITIVES

In addition to the main food, various mineral supplements should be included in the diet of parrots. Usually, mineral food is given to parrots in separate feeders, into which the mineral mixture is poured and periodically replaced with a new portion (at least once every 14-15 days).

At the pet store you can buy cuttlefish skeletons and ground shells, which are an ideal mineral supplement for parrots.

However, experts advise making special briquettes containing a mixture of mineral components. There are many similar mixtures, but the most optimal is mineral fertilizer made from the following components:

› clay - 490 g;

› crushed and sifted eggshells - 210 g;

› coarse river sand - 150 g;

› wood ash - 50 g;

› crushed calcium glycerophosphate tablets - 25 g;

› crushed calcium gluconate tablets - 25 g;

› table salt - 20 g;

› chalk - 20 g;

› bone meal - 10 g;

› total - 1000 g.

BRIQUETTES FROM MINERAL COMPONENTS.

All of the listed components should be thoroughly mixed, water should be added so that the mass has a dough-like consistency, and then spread on an iron sheet (you can use a large baking sheet for this purpose) in a layer 1-1.5 cm thick. Apply marks separating “cake” to half its thickness into small pieces of 30-40 g. In the middle of each piece you need to insert a paper clip bent into a hook, and then place the baking sheet in a warm, dry place (can be in the sun), where you need to dry the finished mass for 14 -20 days.

The completely dried mixture has a gray-yellow color interspersed with individual components (egg shells, grains of sand, etc.).

After drying, the cake should be broken into separate briquettes according to the marks applied in advance. Parrots usually willingly chew briquettes suspended by hooks from the bars of the cage or the mesh of the aviary. Birds should be given 1-2 briquettes weighing 30-40 g once a month.

RATION

With proper feeding, parrots can live a very long time. If birds die at 6-8 years of age from “old age” or “for no reason,” then this, as a rule, indicates that they were improperly kept and fed.

The diet of parrots should include not only nutritious food, but also all the necessary substances and vitamins, without which the normal functioning of the bird’s body is impossible. Moreover, all components of the feed mixture must be balanced in the required proportions and meet the needs of the parrots during a given period (breeding time, feeding chicks, molting period, etc.).

When feeding parrots, it is better to use approximate diets, compiled taking into account all the substances necessary for the bird’s body.

FEEDING BUDGETS.

Approximate daily diet for budgies, lovebirds, monk parakeets, parakeets:

› oats - 5 g;

› millet - 1 g;

› sunflower seeds - 1 g;

› canary seed - 3 g;

› hemp - 1 g;

› weed seeds - 2 g;

› crushed corn - 1 g;

› walnuts or hazelnuts - 1 g;

› white bread - 3 g;

› millet, buckwheat or rice porridge - 2 g;

› milk - 2 g;

› cottage cheese - 1 g;

› chopped chicken egg - 2 g;

› brewer's yeast - 0.25 g;

› fresh cabbage leaves - 1 g;

› grated carrots - 2 g;

› calcium gluconate - 0.25 g;

› apple or pear - 1 g;

› glucose - 0.5 g.

Approximate daily diet for cockatiels:

› millet - 10 g;

› millet, buckwheat, rice (in the form of porridge) - 2 g;

› oats - 5 g;

› canary seed - 3 g;

› corn - 1 g;

› sunflower seeds - 1 g;

› hemp - 1 g;

› grass seeds - 2 g;

› nuts - 1 g;

› grated carrots - 2 g;

› egg - 2 g;

› fresh cottage cheese - 1 g;

› apples or pears - 2 g;

› glucose - 0.5;

› brewer's yeast - 0.5 g;

› white bread - 2 g;

› milk - 2 g;

› cabbage - 2.5 g. But, before using the approximate diet given in this book or other literature about parrots or compiled independently, it is necessary to calculate the needs of each individual bird for certain substances, and also to know what types of food and in what quantities these substances are contained.

For example, when feeding parrots with a grain mixture in which sunflower seeds predominate, the birds often develop diseases associated with metabolic disorders in the body. To avoid this, we must remember that sunflower and hemp can be included in the grain mixture in small quantities, and when birds are in a warm room, food with a high percentage of oil-bearing substances should be completely excluded from the diet (during the non-nesting period).

Below are approximate weekly rations for feeding parrots during the non-breeding period.

WINTER PERIOD.

Day 1: soft food, grain mixture, sprouted oats, millet, steamed corn.

Day 2: grain mixture with the addition of dried nettles, sprouted wheat grains, oat sprouts.

Day 3: grain mixture, bread soaked in milk.

Day 4: soft food, grain mixture with the addition of pine flour, apples, rose hip decoction.

5th day: grain mixture with the addition of pine or grass flour, crushed nuts, oat seedlings, wheat seedlings sprouted without soil, grated carrots, rose hip decoction, steamed corn or peas, millet.

Day 6: soft food, grain mixture with added grass meal, grated beets.

Day 7: grain mixture, sprouted oats, bananas.

SPRING PERIOD.

Day 1: grain mixture, soft food, oat and millet seedlings.

Day 2: grain mixture with the addition of pine flour, oat or millet sprouts, grated beets.

Products that are dangerous for parrots of all types include sausage, fried and smoked meat and fish, lard, sweets, alcoholic beverages, and diuretic herbs.

Day 3: grain mixture, wheat grains sprouted without soil, oat and millet sprouts, grated carrots with the addition of cottage cheese.

Day 4: soft food, grain mixture with the addition of dried nettles, grated beets.

Day 5: grain mixture, rose hip decoction, bread soaked in milk, steamed corn, chopped nuts, oat sprouts.

Day 6: grain mixture with the addition of grass and pine flour, steamed oats.

Day 7: grain mixture, sprouted wheat grains without soil, orange or tangerine slices, rose hip decoction, greens.

SUMMER PERIOD.

Day 1: grain mixture, white bread soaked in sweet tea, cottage cheese, dandelion or clover leaves.

Day 2: soft food, grain mixture, lettuce.

In winter, parrots can be given home-raised crickets and mealworms.

Day 3: grain mixture, dandelion leaves, slices of fresh cucumber or tomato.

Day 4: grain mixture, apple slices, unripe dandelion spikelets.

Day 5: soft food, grain mixture, white crackers soaked in milk, dandelion and spinach leaves.

Day 6: grain mixture, grated carrots with chopped nuts, woodlice and dandelion leaves.

Day 7: grain mixture, cabbage and lettuce leaves, berries, pear slices.

AUTUMN PERIOD.

Day 1: grain mixture, cabbage leaves, soft food, berries.

Day 2: grain mixture, loaf or white bread soaked in milk, apple or pear slices, grapes.

Day 3: grain mixture, sprouted wheat grains without soil, cabbage leaves, spruce needles.

Day 4: grain mixture, apple or pear slices, rowan berries.

Day 5: grain mixture, soft food, cottage cheese with grated nuts, cabbage leaves.

Day 6: grain mixture, white crackers or dry cookies soaked in sweet tea, grated carrots, apple or pear slices.

Day 7: grain mixture with the addition of dried nettles, sprouted wheat grains without soil, cabbage leaves.

FEED STORAGE

To avoid mold growth, grain and soft food should be stored in a cool, dry place. It is advisable to store large quantities of grain feed in thick linen bags, and it is most convenient to pour small portions into tightly sealed plastic or glass jars intended for storing food products.

To avoid the formation of toxins during food storage, you can add propinic acid to it. In this case, be sure to follow the instructions.

Quite often, parrot food contains grain or flour mites. To check food for the presence of ticks, you need to pour it into a bowl in a heap and leave it overnight.

If mites are present in the grain, the next morning the bowl will only be filled to the brim, the mound will disappear, and the grain will be scattered around the bowl.

Food for parrots should not be stored together with fertilizers, pesticides, detergents and disinfectants.

Mold appears at high air humidity (80% and above) and grain (13% and above).

In addition, mushroom poison has a carcinogenic effect.

When purchasing food, you need to pay special attention to the expiration date and packaging (it is recommended to purchase food in completely sealed plastic packaging).

WATER

Many novice hobbyists believe that since parrots come from the arid steppes of Australia and Brazil, they hardly need water. In fact, parrots need water.

Water is the most important component of any living organism and takes part in all life support processes, absorbing nutrients, dissolving them and distributing them throughout the body.

Water that has stood in a drinking bowl for more than 24 hours poses a great danger to the health of the parrot.

The fluid requirement of parrots depends on many factors - such as ambient temperature, body temperature, food ration, etc.

BUDGETS REALLY LOVE TO WATCH THE STREAM OF WATER.

Birds' water consumption increases during their growth period. Parents use water to liquefy the eaten food to make it easier for the chicks to peel it off. In addition, water consumption increases if the parrots are fed only grain feed, and decreases slightly if the birds' diet contains food from sprouted seeds and soft food. In case of some diseases, for example, intestinal disorders, parrots need to be given as much drinking water as possible, since frequent excretion leads the bird’s body to a forced loss of fluid, up to dehydration of the body with fatal consequences (blood thickening, asthenia, circulatory disorders, shock and death ).

Parrots should be given settled or filtered tap or well water. In areas with poor water quality, water must be boiled before giving it to birds.

When including mineral water in the diet of parrots, remember that it should not contain carbon dioxide.

A decisive factor for the well-being and health of parrots is compliance with the rules of water hygiene. The water in the drinking bowl must be changed every day. In this case, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the drinking bowls.

When adding liquid or powdered vitamins to water, it is necessary to change it every 10-12 hours, since all vitamin preparations contain substances that promote the rapid proliferation of bacteria.

FEEDING TECHNIQUE

Ready-made grain mixtures sold in stores do not always contain all the components necessary for poultry. In such cases, you will have to make the mixture yourself or add the necessary substances to the finished one. The purchased mixture must be sifted to remove dust and debris. The mixture should be poured into the feeder in the evening. Then in the morning, when the birds wake up, they will not rush around the cage in search of food. Parrots feeding chicks are given food 2 times a day: in the evening and after lunch.

The amount of food poured into the feeder should not be more than the parrots can eat in a day, otherwise they will begin to choose their favorite grains from the mixture and become too picky and capricious. If you add less food than normal, the birds will remain hungry.

To determine the norm for your pets, you should observe them for some time.

You should not include too many fat-containing components in your diet, otherwise inflammation of the intestinal mucosa may occur.

Porridge, cottage cheese, vegetables, fruits and other additives to the main food should be placed in separate dishes, which must be thoroughly washed and dried after each feeding. Cookies and crackers can be inserted between the bars of the cage.

FOOD FROM THE OWNER'S HANDS IS THE MOST TASTY FOOD.

Drinking water and additional green food should be given in the morning. While feeding the chicks, both water and food should be changed 3 times a day, and the leftovers should be removed at night.

6. CONDITIONS OF CONTENT

In order for parrots to be healthy and cheerful, they need the right conditions.

NEED FOR SUNLIGHT

Sunlight is essential for a parrot's health. In its homeland, warm weather and bright sunshine pamper birds all year round. Its vital activity and proper growth depend on how much light a bird receives.

In order for the bird to be healthy, it is necessary to take into account all light parameters: the degree of illumination, the duration of daylight hours and the spectrum of the light flux.

The slightest changes do not have the best effect on the health of the parrot. For example, an increase in daylight significantly accelerates the sexual development of young animals, while a decrease, on the contrary, slows it down. Both are harmful - rapid sexual development occurs due to improper development of other body systems, and slow sexual development leads to the occurrence of various diseases.

If a parrot experiences a lack of sunlight for quite a long time, this can eventually lead to metabolic disorders in the body, slowed growth, rickets, feather loss, and a decrease or complete cessation of egg laying.

The sun affects the parrot's body, affecting all physiological processes. All internal organs and systems are affected by the sun's rays; the endocrine system, which is involved in the production of hormones, is especially susceptible to their effects.

Sunlight has the following effects on the bird's body:

› accelerates metabolic processes;

› promotes an increase in red blood cells in the blood, and also increases hemoglobin levels;

› increases the bactericidal properties of blood;

› increases the amount of phosphorus and calcium in the body;

› strengthens the immune system.

Ultraviolet rays promote the production of vitamin D in the body. This vitamin is very beneficial for the health of the bird and plays an important role in the molting of a parrot. Ultraviolet light does not pass through the window glass and the parrot does not receive it in the amount it needs. Artificial lighting cannot compensate for the lack of ultraviolet radiation, so the cage with the pet must be placed outside for a short time from time to time or a window should be opened.

In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the cage is not completely exposed to direct sunlight. It must have shaded areas so that the parrot can hide from the sun if necessary.

Don't overdo it with sunbathing. This will also not do the parrot any good. As a result, he may lose his appetite, become lethargic and drowsy. In some cases, overheating leads to disruption of the nervous system.

In order to fully satisfy the parrots' need for sunlight, it is necessary to consider the correct regime for their stay in the fresh air and in the sun. An equal ratio of light and darkness throughout the day and throughout the year will be optimal.

In Russia, in late autumn and winter, daylight hours become significantly shorter than in the summer. Because of this, it needs to be extended with artificial lighting, this is the only way the parrot will feel good. It is good if the bird is in the light for at least 14-16 hours. For lighting the cage, light bulbs with a power of at least 5 W per 1 m2 are best suited.

Beginning breeders are wondering which lamps to choose for their feathered pet - regular or fluorescent (fluorescent lamps). The answer is simple - both are useful for the bird. But, according to some breeders, luminescent ones are more suitable for keeping feathered pets.

In order for your budgerigar to be healthy and cheerful, you need not only to follow the rules of keeping and caring for the bird, but also to choose a complete diet. In their natural environment, parrots eat greens, flower seeds, herbs, grains, and do not disdain small insects and juicy berries. What to feed budgies living at home? - let's figure it out.

Feed and grain mixtures

In pet stores you can find a lot of grain mixtures for budgies, often they include different varieties of millet, canary seed, and oats. Be sure to control the quality of the feed; it is better to purchase mixtures from trusted manufacturers in sealed packages, with detailed instructions.

You can also give your pets sesame seeds, meadow grass, flax, Abyssinian nougat, hemp seed, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Nuts should not be given to the bird often - they are too fatty; once every two to three weeks you can give a piece of hazelnut, walnut or cashew.

What can you feed your parrot besides food?

Vegetables . This is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals necessary for the health of the bird. All vegetables should be fresh, thoroughly washed, and if possible not treated with chemicals.

In addition to food, your budgie can be given:

• Carrots - finely chopped or grated, given only raw, can be mixed with food, crackers, boiled eggs;
• Pumpkin and turnips - need to be cut into small pieces, they contain a lot of sugars, microelements and vitamins;
• Squash, zucchini - they contain sugar and fiber;
• Cucumbers are a source of vitamin E and microelements, improve digestion;
• Tomatoes - they contain carotene, vitamins B and C, acids, vegetable oils. Only ripe fruits can be given to a parrot;
• Dairy corn – it contains protein, starch, carbohydrates, fiber;
• Beetroot – perfect for winter feeding, contains fiber, vitamins, sugars;
• Cabbage - you can grate the stalk and finely chop the leaves, but Chinese cabbage is given only the top part of the leaf;
• Bell pepper – it contains a lot of vitamins, acids, carbohydrates and minerals.

You can also give milk beans, green peas, lettuce, spinach, a little watermelon and melon. You should not give eggplants, potatoes, radishes, garlic, onions, or spicy vegetables.

Fruits . They need to be washed and peeled and placed in a separate feeder. You can give pears, apples, tangerines, kiwi, grapes, plums, bananas, apricots, cherries, peaches, a little pineapple, pomegranate. Berries are also useful (they can be dried and given to parrots in winter) - blueberries, cranberries, rowan berries, lingonberries, strawberries, wild berries, sea buckthorn and others. You should not give persimmons, avocados, mangoes, papaya - they contain substances that are not perceived by the parrot's body.

Greenery. The grass must be picked outside the city, it must be fresh, washed under running water. You can give plantain leaves, grapevine, lettuce, nettle (scalded with boiling water), quinoa, spinach, oats, wheat, knotweed.

It is forbidden give spices and aromatic herbs - celery, parsley, dill, cilantro and others.

Tree branches . Parrots sharpen their beaks on them, gnaw buds and bark. Freshly picked branches cannot be given immediately: they are soaked for 5-7 hours in cold water, and then doused with boiling water. You can give branches of fruit trees (but without resin), alder, rowan, chestnut, willow, aspen, linden, birch, currant, hawthorn, rowan, viburnum, beech and others.

Coniferous branches are produced very rarely, mainly in winter, because they contain resins. Also you can't give branches of lilac, oak, bird cherry, elderberry, acacia. Many breeders also give leaves of some indoor plants: hibiscus, aloe, bamboo, Kalanchoe, dracaena, tradescantia, fatwort and others.

Mineral components and vitamins . This group includes:

• Sand - it has a beneficial effect on the digestion of poultry; it is recommended to purchase special sand that has already been cleaned and heat-treated;
• Chalk is a source of calcium, it can be added to food, or you can simply put it in the form of a briquette in a cage;
• Egg shells - they are finely ground and added to the sand or placed separately in the feeder;
• Bone meal and sepia - well absorbed by the body, it can be purchased at most pet stores;
• Charcoal is also finely ground, it is an excellent sorbent, as well as a source of valuable microelements;
• Glycerophosphate and calcium gluconate - added to sand or feed mixtures, it is especially important to give them during the molting or nesting period;
• Vitamins. Give strictly in the indicated dosage and in courses. Natural vitamin supplements include lemon juice, honey and apple cider vinegar (add a few drops to water).

You can also give your parrot sprouted grains, cottage cheese, chicken eggs, fish oil, and mealworms.

For porridges, we can recommend buckwheat, rice, peas, beans, corn, barley, pearl barley, oatmeal, and wheat. Do not add salt, butter, sugar, milk or seasonings to porridge. Also, the bird should always have settled water (change it once a day).