Every parakeet owner wants their pet to live the best way possible, and a healthy diet is the best way to keep the pet alive and happy. A balanced diet will ensure he gets the proper nutrients he needs every day. An inadequate diet can cause nutritional imbalances, disease and, in extreme cases, even death. But if you learn to feed the bird the right way, it will have a happy and healthy life.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing the right foods
Step 1. Try the seeds
They are a good option for feeding parakeets, but they can shorten their lifespan. So don't let the bird get fed up with them. Most seed mixes do not provide the necessary nutrients for the bird and can cause cancer, obesity and other health problems.
Seeds should only make up one-sixth of the animal's diet
Step 2. Buy canes
One of the mainstays of a parakeet's diet is the cane, which can be purchased at local pet stores. It is the best way to provide a balanced diet for the animal as it contains thousands of nutrients.
Make sure the sticks are free of preservatives, added sugars, artificial colors or flavorings
Step 3. Give fruits and vegetables
They are a very important part of the parakeet's diet. Offer dark green or yellow vegetables every day. Try options like apples, squash, grapes, carrots, parsley, broccoli, mangoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini and spinach and feed them raw as cooking removes vital nutrients.
- These foods can be served in the way the parakeet prefers: chopped, crushed, diced, sliced, pureed or whole. Try different shapes until you find your pet's favorite.
- Take out what the animal does not eat after two hours, as raw and cut vegetables can easily spoil.
- some foods Never they must be given to the bird as they are toxic to it. These include avocados, fruit seeds and seeds (apple seeds contain cyanide and are especially toxic), chocolate, garlic, onions, mushrooms, raw beans, rhubarb and the leaves and stems of tomatoes.
Step 4. Feed the parakeet grain
Many owners and breeders provide a mixture of moistened grains as an extra treat in the bird's diet. You can add whatever grains you like, including quinoa, brown rice, wheat or barley, and you can also add natural and organic honey, fruits or vegetables to the grains to make them more interesting.
Pour the beans onto a plate and soak them in water. After they swell, take out the water and mix what you want
Step 5. Provide hard-boiled eggs and grated cheese
While these may seem like an unusual diet for a parakeet, these foods are great sources of protein for the parakeet, give a little variety to the diet, and provide beneficial nutrients, which is always a good thing.
But limit those special treats. Never give more than 1/2 teaspoon at a time
Part 2 of 2: Feeding the Parakeet the Right Way
Step 1. Keep your diet fresh and varied
The bird needs to have several options of what to eat every day. As a general guideline, give seeds and sticks daily. The softened fruits, vegetables and grains should be given to him every other day, or preferably every day. Egg or cheese should be given once a week or every other week.
In addition to keeping the options varied, change the food every day to always leave fresh food on the pet's plate. Always remove old food before adding new one
Step 2. Use a suitable container
The bird needs to be able to access food whenever it wants to. He can get sick if he doesn't eat for 24 hours, so he needs to have access to food at all times. The container must not be too deep, or the parakeet will have to “dip” into it to reach the food. It should also be located near the water so the bird can eat and drink at the same time.
Step 3. Provide a rib bone and mineral block
These two items are necessary for the parakeet because they contain essential minerals and nutrients that the bird may not get from other sources. The rib bone should be placed in the cage so that the soft side faces the bird and the bird can scrape the surface.
- If any of these items get dirty, eaten, or get wet, throw them away and buy a new one.
- These items also serve as a distraction for the bird. Parakeets like to perch on them, and sometimes destroy them. Let the bird do as it pleases, as long as the items are kept clean and dry. The bird will know when it needs to use them, so don't worry if it doesn't even touch these objects for a while. The food may be providing enough nutrients per hour.
Step 4. Avoid obesity
The parakeet needs plenty of space in the cage or in your home to exercise. You should also pay attention to his daily eating habits to prevent him from overeating, which can lead to obesity. An obese bird loses its slender appearance and can become lethargic and suffer from health problems.
An avian specialist veterinarian can help you know if your parakeet is overweight and decide how to help the animal if so
Step 5. Balance the diet
Parakeets have very delicate organisms, and any change in their diet must be done gradually over a long period of time. If you want to change the seed mix, add a little more of the new mix each day and take out a little more of the old one until the bird has fully moved to the new food.
Your bird's diet should be balanced over time, not in one fell swoop. Don't give him all different types of food at once; follow general feeding guidelines and vary his diet over time. Giving it all at once can cause the bird to overeat and make it sad or sick
Step 6. Make him eat
The parakeet may not want to eat because of the appearance of the food or what you are giving it. If he doesn't eat fresh food, chop the vegetables and fruits and place them in an empty pot. Hang the pot in the cage with some green leafy vegetable leaves or another cherished treat above it.
Repeat every day until the bird finally gives in and eats the different foods
Step 7. See if he is sick
Pay attention to the consistency of your bird's stool. It can indicate if he is eating too much fresh food. If the stools become soft and watery, reduce the amount of this type of food for a day or two. The animal may be getting too much fluid from it, which causes this problem.
If diarrhea persists, see your veterinarian to identify other causes
Step 8. Change the water every day
All birds need water all day long in a clean container. To keep the liquid clean and fresh, change the water dish every day. Clean the dish only with vinegar and water, never using soap or cleaning products. Vinegar will prevent bacteria from accumulating in the container.