What to feed your birds is often asked by various pet bird owners. Because compared to dogs and cats, birds have minimal food options. While their wild counterparts can enjoy a variety of foods, pet bird food doesn’t have many options. However, being a good pet bird owner, you will need to focus on providing them with a high-quality and balanced diet for their best health and that in the right amount.
It is good to visit a professional aviculturist and professional bird vet for a better idea about the best food for birds. You will need to make sure that you are providing the best food for birds in a way that matches the feeding habits of the birds in the wild. Some pet birds will like to eat early in the morning, some will eat later in the afternoon and some will have small amounts of food throughout the day.
A Simple Bird Food Guide
As every pet bird owner has the idea that not every two birds are the same. So there isn’t a perfect diet fit for every bird. Also, birds are known to be very picky eaters and they do create a mess while eating as well. Even if you provide them with the best bird food for winter they will just take away their favorite parts and leave the rest. This can be quite a challenging situation even for the experienced nutritionist, a challenge to make the birds eat what is right for them.
When it comes to the best bird food for winter specifically regular food, you can start by providing your pet birds with a variety of fruits and vegetables cut into small pieces. This is also recommended food for small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs. You may notice that your bird isn’t interested in a certain food type at an occasion but this doesn’t mean it won’t ever. If you want to transition to the perfect solution then consulting your veterinarian is a good idea. Read more tips regarding what to feed your birds.
- Birds don’t like every type of fruit and vegetable but if you know their specific needs then you should provide them with a different variety of fruits and veggies.
- You should provide them with a wide variety of the best food for birds which should be a combination of commercial food and natural foods such as fresh veggies, fruits, native flowers, seeding grasses, and other green food to make sure they are perfect for the specific bird species.
- Visit the vet and experienced aviculturist to make sure that the food for birds at home is appropriate and non-toxic. Your pet birds will have good mental health and they will get environmental enrichment
- You should provide clean and fresh food and store the food so that it will not spoil or deteriorate. Check the food containers daily to make sure that you have a good supply ahead. Regularly change the feed instead of adding daily on the top.
- If you can, you can place the cuttlefish bone in the bird’s cage and this will be a great trace mineral. Some bird species require calcium on a daily basis so adding them with mixed grit will do great for such species.
- Make sure you have clean and fresh water available 24×7 at an adequate temperature along with the best food for birds. Birds need water after eating and sometimes for hydrating their bodies in hot weather. Make sure to change the water daily.
- Avoid feeding your pet birds avocado, chocolate, or coffee as they are the most toxic foods for birds among the other elements.
What Is The Best Food For Birds At Home?
As mentioned earlier, the variety of foods is way limited for pet birds compared to wild birds. This is why the best and most balanced diet for birds is often considered the one with a combination of natural and artificial diets. However, in general, the following are the major elements of the pet bird diet that are often provided to them by most pet bird owners and recommended by vets. Continue reading the following to learn about what to feed your birds for their better health.
Seeds & Nuts
One of the most common food choices among pet birds is nuts and seeds. However, oftentimes, according to Veterinarians, giving them too much or on a daily basis isn’t the best baby bird food or even for adult birds. Bird Seeds are fully fattening and combining seeds and nuts can cause some serious health issues among pet birds.
However, you can serve the seeds and nuts as treats. Also, you can use them as the best bird food for winter but if it is provided only occasionally. It is also a good part of the birds winter care plan. You will need to make sure that they should be fed to the birds at a minimum level. If you have wild birds in the backyard then feeding the seeds is a great option.
Pellet Food For Birds
Another answer to your question about what to feed your birds is pellet food for birds. Another good option for picky eaters is pellet foods. If you give your birds these pellets then you will have no worries about the nutrition your birds need. This is because these pellets can provide the nutrients required for the birds.
These pellets have the required nutrition so even the picky eaters will get their dose of nutrition. The pellet food comes in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. You will have the opportunity to provide a wide variety of food to your pet birds.
Vegetables
Our Bird Food Guide is incomplete without the variety of forced veggies for birds. Most baby bird food will consist of dark and leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and zucchini. However, they will also like to have snow peas, squash, cucumbers, shredded carrots, parsley, and Romaine lettuce. Veggies such as garlic, onion, and avocados are a big no because they are toxic. Make sure to cut them into smaller sizes so birds can eat them easily.
Fruit & Fiber
Last but not least part of the food for birds at home is nothing but a piece of ripe fresh fruit. You can give them treats from time to time and not regularly like pellet food for birds. It’s better not to do it too much. Your birds will appreciate this but only if you give them a limit. You should make sure to give them a small amount of food such as fruits, legumes i.e. pasta, cooked brown rice, beans, and oats along with grains.
When it comes to fruit, most birds enjoy:
- Kiwis
- Bananas
- Apples
- Oranges
- Papayas
- Melons
And - Mangos
Make sure to remove the seeds from the fruits before serving them to your feathery friend. And for veggies, cut them in the size that fits the birds.
Conclusion
When it comes to knowing what to feed your birds then most pet bird owners will be clueless about this. However, we discussed almost every single aspect of bird feeding in this Bird Food Guide. If you want to make sure that your birds will stay healthy while eating better then follow our other bird care guide as well. You can follow our blog for more pet care guides and tricks.
