When raised properly, pet birds can make wonderful companions. Many birds can be trained to obey simple commands, and may even respond when you call their name! However, caring for a bird isn’t simply about bonding with your pet – it also involves assuming responsibility for caring for your bird’s needs. A huge part of this is ensuring that your bird receives a proper diet, in the right portions. Depending on the type of food you are feeding your bird, you may have to adjust your feeding quantities in order to ensure that your bird is receiving adequate nutrition. Knowing what factors may affect how much you should feed your bird is a very important part of pet care, and can determine the overall health of your bird. Here is some general information which will help you to understand how much you should be feeding your pet bird.
SEED EATING BIRDS
When feeding a seed-eating bird, it is best if you keep a close eye on how much your bird eats. Seed-eating birds usually need to have their food dish full at all times in order to obtain the proper feeding portions. In addition to this, many pet owners mistake the hulled shells of seeds for a full food dish. In optimal conditions, you should be replacing your bird’s food on a daily basis. If your bird is not eating seeds out of their dish, this does not necessarily mean that they are not hungry. Some birds need to be taught to eat from a dish, especially if they are “wild-caught” birds. This can be done by sprinkling a few seeds on the (newly cleaned) floor of the bird’s cage, eventually leading them to the dish. However, it is a well-known fact among bird care experts that seeds alone should not make up the entirety of a bird’s diet. It’s essential that you also add vitamin supplements, fresh fruits and vegetables to a seed-eating bird’s feeding regimen.
HOMEMADE BIRD FOOD
When feeding your bird a homemade bird food diet, you will need to adjust your feeding portions slightly. If you are including any fresh fruits or vegetables in your homemade bird food, this means that the food can only be left in your bird’s cage for approximately 24 hours before it should be thrown out. Because of this, try to only give your bird enough of the formula that they are able to consume within 24 hours. After removing the formula from the cage, it is highly recommended that you thoroughly rinse the bird’s feeding dish with warm water, in order to avoid contamination with food leftovers. Even if you are feeding your bird a homemade formula that has low moisture content, it is still advised that you only place enough food in the cage so that your bird can eat for about 24 hours.
WATER
When feeding your bird, it is essential that you also include a daily supply of fresh water. This cannot be overemphasized, since many birds need fresh water in order to adequately digest their food. Try to replace your pet bird’s water on a daily basis, and clean the water dish as necessary.