What to feed a parakeet?

[Ijistcantsayno]

I know a seed based diet isn’t really ideal for a parakeet, what would you all recommend as good main staple diet? We will be providing organic fresh produce daily as well, but I mean the “leave it in the cage all day” and it won’t spoil in a few hours type food.



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[noodles123]

I don't own any personally, but Lafebers is a reputable brand and they sell a pellet---do wait and hear what others say before buying that one though. You will want to transition it slowly from anything it was eating into anything new---E.G., If it was eating seeds, cut them back, but don't do it cold-turkey. The same is true of all things.
You MIGHT look here---again, just as a starting point---look at labels before buying:
https://drfoxmag.com/5-best-budgie-pellets-compared-reviewed/

it's a start at least..again, I have a different bird

 

[Laurasea]

You have to feed what they are feeding at first. Then slowly change the diet.
Parakeets are a grass seed eater by nature. I would keep seeds in the diet. But try to have lots of veggies and greens very few fruits. And pellets are good as part of the diet. Others may have different advice. Mine eat seeds, they actually choose on their own to eat some pellets, and they eat veggies of all kinds daily, as well as occasionally scrambled eggs, and acrade treat if while grain bread with seeds in it. Some bird muffins. Mine seem to prefer their leafy greens hung up. They also will eat the yogurt I offer occasionally to my parrots. They even play and chomp on the big bird toys, more so than the parakeets size toys I got for them. And they nibble the mineral blocks more than the other parrots.

 

[noodles123]

I wasn't clear on that---I meant that an "only seeds" diet was no good. Pellets are an option but not a necessity if you are certain that you are providing proper vitamins and amino acids.

 

[Laurasea]

This is the best parakeet seed mix out there. I use it but mix ( just being up front) with the cheaper but good seed mixs out there.
Dr Harvey is a parakeet enthusiast, and has years if dedication to them. He also has videos and lots of other stuff
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-HarveyS-N...ocphy=9011492&hvtargid=pla-299263685456&psc=1

 

[Ijistcantsayno]

This is the best parakeet seed mix out there. I use it but mix ( just being up front) with the cheaper but good seed mixs out there.
Dr Harvey is a parakeet enthusiast, and has years if dedication to them. He also has videos and lots of other stuff
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-HarveyS-N...ocphy=9011492&hvtargid=pla-299263685456&psc=1

How much food (roughly) would 1 bird need for a day? I’m just trying to look at the true cost. That doesn’t seem unreasonable if it lasts a couple weeks. I’m assuming a little bird can’t eat that whole 2# bag in a week, right?


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[Laurasea]

I think two tablespoons a day at a guess. It lasts a month I think for my two

 

[Noahs_Birds]

I think all fruit should be avoided with Budgies/ Parakeets, as fruit usually causes a sugar 'high' whereas with vegetables the sugar levels are much more sustainable and last them through the day
Thanks
Noah Till

 

[itzjbean]

I hear budgies really like sprouts, leafy greens and veggies! Have you considered sprouting the seeds? It makes them much more nutritious for them by allowing the seed to germinate and develop a little tail.

 

[Ijistcantsayno]

I hear budgies really like sprouts, leafy greens and veggies! Have you considered sprouting the seeds? It makes them much more nutritious for them by allowing the seed to germinate and develop a little tail.

I didn’t think about that. I sprout quinoa and chia seeds for our hermit crabs and they go crazy for them.


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[Pampa]

My Budgies are amazing eaters. I feed them the chop I make for the bigger birds. They are like little eating machines. Good eaters are so much fun. I don’t know how it happened. I got them really young. They don’t like pellets so much. They get 1/3 pellet mixed into the seed. If I don’t overfill their bowl they will eat some of the pellets.