What do you feed your budgies?

[Shelly]

Hi all,

I've got 13 budgies and am just giving them seed which I purchased from my local produce. Is this enough, I feel I should be adding something to the mix, can you give me ideas on what you feed your birds.

I'm also not sure whether this seed is top quality (claims to be but hey, they'll say anything to get you to buy it). Are there brands which you believe are better than others?

Shelly

[AussieBirds]

Hello Shelly, Your budgies will enjoy corn, endives, Apple, sprouted seed and other veggies and fruit. They wont survive on seed alone and do need other foods. I use Avigrain seed but any good quality budgie seed is acceptable, an easy way to check the freshness of your seed is to soak a quantity of it then put it in a warm place and if it sprouts it's fresh if it doesn't sprout it's not fresh. They are not great Sunflower eaters and go more for the smaller seeds.

John

[Shelly]

Thank you John, I've got some seed soaking and will put it out in the sun tomorrow morning. I will have a go at feeding them other fruit/vegies. We tried with some carrot the other week but they didn't even try it. But I'm sure it will take a few goes if they've never had it before. Perseverance is called for here!!!! So with the sprouted seed, that is the stuff that I make myself, is that right?

[AussieBirds]

Yes Shelly it is, just a tip for you make sure you rinse the seed well and if you put it in the sun cover it with a damp tea towel, keep the towel wet as moisture is the key to the sprouting. Your right perseverance is whats needed and you will find once the birds try different foods they will develop a liking for them.

John

[Shelly]

Okay, I've done the soaking and put it in the sun covered in a teatowel, how long does it normally take to sprout (if it's going to), a week? longer? shorter? And with the vegies etc that I also give them, do you grate, or chop really small or not at all. Sorry for asking so many questions which I'm sure you've answered before but I couldn't fine a thread regarding this anywhere. I don't want to do the wrong thing by my birds as I'm having so much fun with them.

[AussieBirds]

Here is a copy of the post by Frank at the old forum,

Sprouts
replied on: 8/12/2004 6:32:08 PM

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Ok here goes
Sprout Mix includes
50% Wheat
20% Grey Sunflower
15% Triticarle
15% Mung Bean
1=Mix all seeds and sieve in a fine mesh colander (preferably a stainless steel one
For 10 breeding pairs i use 1/2 to 3/4 ice cream container of seeds.
2=Rinse thoroughly in colander under fast running warm water(warmth is a key to sprouting quickly in winter)
3=Place cleaned seed in a stainless steel or similar bowl of warm water with a thimble full of Vetafarm Aviclens or similar this helps avoid a build up of yeast or fungi in the water
and leave to soak for 6-12 hrs no more or they will go bitter.
4=Then remove seed from bowl and place back into mesh colander and rinse thoroughly.
5=Leave seeds in colander and rinse every 6-12hrs until sprout appears on seed approx 5mm long.The key is to not let the sprouts dry out in the colander as long as there is some dampness in the seeds.

Usually sprouts are ready to feed to birds by 2nd morning if you commence procedure at evening, this works well for me as i soak overnight and rinse before i go to work in mornings and when i come home in late afternoon.This quantity i use allows me to feed breeding pairs a cup full morning and afternoons for 3 days. 2nd and 3rd days sprouts are kept in fridge which is ok for up to 5-6 days
cheers Frank


Don't chop your veggies up too fine just birdie size pieces ;)you could try grating the carrot and remember perseverance is the key.

John

[hillcresttiels]

Hi Squitzy no need to put soaked seeds outdoors in the sun as they will dry out too quickly just in a warm spot (garden window indoors etc)and make sure they are rinsed every 6-12 hrs, this time of the year sprouts should appear after 1 and a half days of rinsing!
Frank