WHAT SHOULD A BUDGIE EAT?

If the bird is used to them, feed budgie pellets. If not feed a good quality packet seed, preferably a vitaminised one. Buy fresh packets rather than keeping them in store for months or buying in bulk. Take a careful look at the seed - it should contain up to a third elongated pointed canary seed, and only a small proportion of fattening hulled oats. NEVER feed loose seed - the moulds in this can kill budgies and other birds. Blow away the husks off the seed bowl twice a day. Sometimes budgies starve because the empty seed husks fall back into the seed container covering the good seed - or making the owner think the seed tray is full when it isn't. A budgie's diet - whatever ignorant people may say about seed being enough - must include fresh fruit and vegetables. Try tiny pieces of apple, grape, guava, kiwi fruit, mango, melon, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, pomegranate, plum, strawberry, tangerine, watermelon. Wash all fruit and never feed old or mouldy fruit. Remove all fruit after four hours so it doesn't go rotten. Vegetables can include pak choy, broccoli, carrot (chopped or grated), celery, cucumber, lettuce (only small amount once a week), parsley, sprouts, peas, spinach, sweetcorn, watercress, courgettes. Wild food, which is even better, can include chickweed, clover, dandelions and fresh seed heads of grass. Wash all veg first. If a new budgie doesn't seem interested, persevere. If you repeatedly offer fruit and vegetables, the bird will eventually eat them. It may take a year. Don't give up.