Last Updated on by Mitch Rezman
As a pet bird companion, one of the most important things you should know is how often to feed and water your feathered friend.
Proper nutrition and hydration not only ensure your bird’s health and happiness but also help them to live longer.
It’s important to note that different species of birds have varying dietary requirements and preferences, so it’s essential to research the specific needs of your pet bird.
How often should I feed my bird?
Generally speaking, most pet birds need to eat every day. The amount they need to eat each day depends on their species and size. For example, small birds like finches or canaries may only need a tablespoon or two of food per day, while larger birds like parrots may require several cups of food daily.
It’s recommended that you offer your bird fresh food in the morning before you leave for work or start your day. This ensures that your bird has access to food throughout the day. Additionally, many bird owners offer their pets a small snack in the evening before bedtime.
“Recommendations” are always welcome but I’ll walk you through how we feed our flock of 11 (4 species) daily.
Keto the ringneck and Chili the Quaker get Higgins Safflower Gold Parrot in the Prevue ceramic crocks, while Barney the cockatiel receives Higgins Versele-Laga Safflower Gold Conure Cockatiel No Sunflower.
What is The Recipe for Your Perfect Parakeet Blend Seed Mix?
What should I feed my bird?
In general, the specific dietary needs of your pet bird will depend on its species and size. However, as a rule, most pet birds require a balanced diet that includes:
– High-quality commercial bird seed mix: This should make up about 50% of your bird’s diet. Unless you use a pellet only diet, then they should have a dish of pellets, fresh daily. Yes, they do get stale in the cup.
– Fresh fruits and vegetables: These should make up about 25% of your bird’s diet.
– Protein-rich foods: These can include eggs, cooked chicken or turkey breast (without any seasoning), cooked beans or lentils, or commercial protein sources like pellets or crickets. These should make up about 25% of your bird’s diet.
It’s essential to avoid feeding your pet bird anything that’s toxic to them. Some common foods that are toxic for birds include avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and anything with high amounts of salt or sugar.
Feeding Your Feathered Friend: A Terrific Guide to Pet Bird Food from Windy City Parrot
The two parrots leave their home cages every morning between 9 and 10 and migrate downstairs to their work cages where a mixture of chopped kale, mixed veggies, and fruits await them.
I return upstairs with a tray with two budgie dishes of finely chopped veggies and a similar cup of veggies for Barney, but with a couple of big chunks of apple as the budgies enjoy tossing them on the floor when they visit Barney’s birdcage.
I top off the 3 larger parrot’s bird seed dishes when they come up for the day.
The 3 Budgie Tweeky Clean Feeders get emptied into a blue glass pie plate on the bottom of the big cage for more foraging.
When the plate and any of the crocks get picked through, they get emptied into a designated container for serving to the wild birds outside.
Thirty minutes before the 9 full spectrum lights automatically turn off over all 4 birdcages Keto and Chili get Avi-Cakes, then Barney and the budgies share a few sprigs of millet in their respective cages.
How often should I change my bird’s water?
Just like with food, providing fresh water is crucial for your bird’s health and happiness.
All our birds get Lafebers Avi-Era Bird Vitamins dissolved in their daily driving water which gets replaced approximately every 12 hours. More often if Chili gets to dunking his pellets.
It’s also essential to keep your bird’s water dish clean. Clean it thoroughly with hot, soapy water daily to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
It makes it easier to change out food and water dishes when you have extras.
Final thoughts
Feeding and watering your pet bird may seem like a simple task, but it’s important to understand their specific dietary needs to ensure their health and happiness.
Providing fresh food and clean water is just as important as spending time with your feathered friend and keeping them entertained. If you’re ever unsure about your bird’s dietary needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us right here at Windy City Parrot.
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Julinka
25 Jun 2023That was really helpful, thank you. I’ve been giving my little birds a small piece of millet spray every other day and wondered if that was too frequent. They get avi cakes on the other days and basically I’ve been feeding them as you suggest. Hurray!
My parrotlet loves naturally dried figs. She waits for them and starts getting noisy if I am busy and forget to give her a couple of tiny pieces of fig on time. She has her schedule….