Lovebirds are great pets - they are small, very active, and have a fun personality. Feeding them correctly is essential to make them grow in shape. Start by choosing a suitable and healthy diet, then you can establish a nutritional schedule to make sure your budgies are getting enough food and nutrients. You can also feed puppies manually, although this is a time-consuming method.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose the Food
Step 1. Look for a specific food for budgies
Food in the form of pellets is ideal for lovebirds, as it is specially formulated to have all the nutrients these animals need. Choose it based on age and make sure it contains natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives.
- Puppies need a different food than adults. Lovebirds become adults at 10 months.
- Look for complete food in the form of pellets at pet stores or online.
Step 2. Give your budgies fresh vegetables
Supplement their diet with fresh foods such as green lettuce (not iceberg), spinach, carrots, peas, endive, tomatoes, parsley, dandelion, radishes, cucumbers, watercress, broccoli, sprouts, and kale.
- Wheatgrass may work as well, as it contains a lot of chlorophyll.
- Never give avocado to lovebirds, it's toxic.
Step 3. Add fresh fruit to your diet
Pears, bananas, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, oranges, tangerines, kiwis, figs, melon and pitted cherries are good for budgies and are very popular.
You can also give them dehydrated fruit, as long as it doesn't contain sulfites
Step 4. Choose a mix of high quality seeds to give to lovebirds as a reward
Look for a blend that contains a variety of seeds, such as millet, hulled oats, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and canola seeds. It may also contain soybeans, rye, brown rice, fennel, poppy and sesame seeds.
- The seeds do not have much nutritional value for budgies, so give them in small quantities only as a treat. They definitely don't have to be their only source of food.
- Make sure there is only a small amount of malt in the seed mix, as it is used as a filler.
- Use only fresh seed mixes. If it is dusty or old, do not use it.
Step 5. Offer the lovebirds small nuts
Budgies also like peanuts, shelled or unshelled, Brazil nuts, acorns and hazelnuts. You can give them as a small reward or as a supplement to their normal diet.
Step 6. Do not give foods high in fat, sugar or preservatives
Budgies should not eat fast-food or food rich in artificial sugars such as candy, ice cream or sweets in general. Don't give them french fries or any other fried food.
- Also avoid any food that contains additives and preservatives.
- Never give budgies alcoholic drinks or coffee.
Method 2 of 3: Establish a Nutrition Program
Step 1. Give the lovebirds 1 tablespoon (14 g) of pelleted food per day
One tablespoon of food a day per budgie is enough. 70% of their diet must consist of pellets, the remaining 30% must be composed of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Try to feed the food at the same time every day. This way they will know when it's time to eat
Step 2. Get different bowls for each bird
If you have more than one budgie in a cage, place a small bowl for each of them. That way they won't fight over food at mealtimes. You will also be able to track their individual eating habits more easily.
Step 3. Wash fruits and vegetables before feeding them to budgies
You can safely use running water for this process. Then cut everything into small pieces and place them in a separate bowl from the pelleted food. It is not necessary to peel the fruit, as the lovebirds digest the peel well as well.
- Try to give them a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. If you can, don't always give the same type of these foods, but change them frequently.
- Give them to the budgies as small snacks, 1-2 times a day.
Step 4. Always provide clean water
Budgies need lots of fresh water. Change it every day and replenish it as needed. Make sure the water bowl is full before bed so they can drink through the night.
Always use water bowls that aren't too deep so the birds don't risk drowning
Method 3 of 3: Feed the Budgie Pups
Step 1. Manually feed the budgie until it is 10 months old
You can feed babies or lovebirds puppies by feeding them. This can take time, but is ideal if you have been raising a baby bird from infancy and want it to grow well.
Very often a budgie puppy who is hand-fed by the owner grows stronger and happier than one who eats from the bowl
Step 2. Get a syringe and bird food
You need a small syringe with a small opening. You can find it in pet stores, or online. You also need to get food for baby birds or puppies, often sold in powder form.
Mix the powdered food in boiling water. Follow the instructions on the package for the exact ratio of powder to water
Step 3. Feed the budgie slowly
Hold it in one hand and gently wrap your fingers around his chest. Fill the syringe with 6-8ml of previously prepared food. Before giving it to the baby, put a drop on the palm of your hand to make sure it is not too hot, it must be lukewarm. Tilt the budgie's head upward. Place the syringe in the beak and start feeding it.
Let the puppy eat slowly, at his own speed. Don't force him to eat from the syringe
Step 4. Check the budgie's goiter
It is located just above the stomach, and swells as the animal eats. Once full, you can stop feeding the baby.
Feed the puppy every 3-4 hours. Always check to take it only until the goiter swells and is full: do not continue further
Step 5. Clean the budgie's beak after it has eaten
Gently wipe a clean cloth over the baby's beak once he has finished eating. Most puppies will go to sleep afterwards.
