Like every other species in the animal kingdom, birds require adequate nutrition to thrive and stay healthy. Each bird species has its own set of nutritional requirements that need to be fulfilled, especially for caged birds. Generally speaking, a birdseed mix or feed pallets can be given to most bird types. However, parrots, canaries, and other bird species might need additional nutrients that can be added in the form of fruits and vegetables. These extra nutrients boost the bird’s immune system, keep the skin disease-free, and help in feather health. Read on to know what to keep in mind when feeding your birds, the foods you could add to improve their diet and cooking bird meals that you can prepare for your lovely birds a special treat.
A Balanced Diet
Out there in the wild, birds wander around freely, eating a variety of foods that include fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, flowers, and even insects. With changing seasons, the type of food available changes, allowing the birds to get almost every kind of essential nutrient throughout the year. However, in the case of caged birds, it’s better to know about the types of foods that would be required for your specific species. You can hover the internet to find out what you can give to your bird. Providing a balanced diet is an integral part of life and critical for their health. Without a balanced diet, your bird may suffer from nutritional deficiency and becomes prone to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Moreover, the metabolism slows down, compromises immunity, and results in a decreased life span.
Figure out what your bird species eat the most in their natural habitat, make it the base diet that will be given most of the time. Of course, you will be adding extra nutrition alongside the base diet for an extra boost of nutrients that are not required all the time. Some examples of a base diet include tropical fruits, seed mixes, and diet palettes.
Bird Supplements
These vitamin, mineral, and protein supplements are normally given to caged birds that only prefer to be fed seed mixes much like black soldier fly larvae. They too have high nutritional value, but still, a bird must replenish its vitamins and minerals. A natural way to replenish these essential nutrients is by finding an organic source. There are many vendors who have dried mealworms for sale that can be fed easily by mixing them in the seed mix. However, be careful when buying mealworms and search for an authentic vendor. Moreover, make sure the contents are 100 percent organic and avoid the products that have added chemicals. If you still feel confused, consult your vet and ask them for advice on the supplement best suited for your bird.
Snacks and Essential Nutrients
When it comes to daily snacks, nothing beats fresh fruits and vegetables. Most birds love green veggies and almost every fruit they can get their claws on. Still, there are chances that your bird might have personal preferences and may not eat every fruit you feed it. In a situation like this, note down what your bird likes and which foods are rejected. If you have a couple of birds to take care of, chop up different fruits, mix them up, and feed accordingly. Furthermore, make sure that you don’t leave fruits and veggies for too long because they start to rot after a couple of hours. Here are some fruits and vegetables preferred by most bird species:
- Fruits include apple, banana, pineapple, orange, pear, mango, berries, melon.
- Vegetables include peas, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, carrots, soybean, squash, peppers, celery.
Bird Meals
You can find a plethora of meals that can be cooked for your adorable birds. Treating the birds makes them happy. There are loads of recipes over the internet that you can find to treat your birds with love. These recipes are quick and easy to make. Moreover, they have a nutritional value that is also beneficial for the bird. You can also find ready-made or easy-to-cook products that you can prepare without effort. Remember that these meals should not be given regularly.
These tips are for bird lovers who take care of their birds and want to give them a balanced, healthy, and nutritious diet. You might be able to provide nutrients on your own, but for diseases in birds, only asking the vet will help you the most. Try getting your birds checked up at least twice a year to screen for any diseases that could cause any problem.
