Keeping pet birds at home can be easy but knowing the right nutritional diet for your avian companion can be tricky. The dietary needs of birds are different from that of other companion pets like cats and dogs. It is commonly noticed that pet bird owners are seeking more information on the dos and don’ts of bird foods. In this blog, I will help you understand how to maintain a balanced diet for your feathered friend.

We all know that birds like seeds and pellets. Do you think that alone will give your bird the complete nutrients it requires for healthy growth? The answer is No! Feeding just seeds and pellets will not help maintain a healthy life or growth of your pet bird. Their body requires more to develop those beautiful feathers.

In this blog, I will share 5 key tips to maintain a balanced diet for birds.

1. Develop a diet chart based on your bird’s type, size, and weight

The type of bird helps determine if they can consume hard seeds or require a softer diet like fruits and leaves. The diet of a hard-bill bird is dominated by the intake of seeds. On the other hand, soft-bill birds will acquire a more balanced diet of fruits and flowers. Nutritional deficiency in birds raises the chances of bird bacterial and fungal infections. Just like in humans, a well-balanced diet will help develop a strong immune system for birds. Resulting in the ability to fight any illness.

How often do you read the label?

Make this your unconscious practice to always read a pet food label and understand the composition of your pet’s diet. A well-balanced base diet will help in maintaining the right nutritional level for your bird. With many brands available in the market, one can only try and understand their true benefits.

2. Both, seeds and pellets are important

Both bird seeds and bird pellets are nutritious foods in their own right, and one does not hold any particular advantage over the other. The best option, irrespective of your choice, is to get the required food from a brand that offers an extensive range of choices on both fronts. My recommendation is to opt for a certified organic, non-GMO verified food which offers a mix of seeds and pellets. This dietary practice will minimize the requirement for additional supplements.

3. Go organic!

The best source for bird nutrition is ripe fruits and veggies. You must grate, fine chop or mash fruits and veggies before feeding your birds. For obvious reasons, they cannot consume these foods as you do. Don’t stick to one routine or fruit family based on your bird’s acceptance. It is normal for them to reject a NEW fruit or veggie. However, try serving it again in a few days and in a new way. Birds take longer to adjust to change or any new foods. I have listed below a few common and well-accepted fruits and veggies for your trail. Do try and share your feedback in the comments section.

Fruits

🦜 Berries

🍎 Apple

🍌 Banana

🍈 Melon

🍊 Orange

🍍 Pineapple

Vegetables

🦜 Cooked Beans

🥕 Carrots

🥗Celery

🍠 Yams

✅ Peppers

💚 Soybeans

4. Supplements

You cannot ignore the dietary and nutritional needs of a bird if they aren’t eating more than just seeds. In such cases, you can include supplements for the bird in their foods. These supplements will balance out the nutritional void created by not adding all nutrients to foods.

5. Home-cooked meals

There are many recipes available online to prepare home-cooked meals for birds. Home-cooked meals for birds are different from that consumed by us (humans). Hence, one must first consult with a veterinary nutritionist. They will guide you through your bird’s requirements and allergies if any.

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