Yes, you can feed parakeets wild bird food but that too occasionally. Often, bird owners might get confused about what to feed the parakeets. So, in this guide, let’s get to know whether wild bird food would be suitable for the parakeet and how it is different from the other parakeet-specific food available in the store.
What is a Well-Balanced Diet for Parakeets?
The well-balanced diet for parakeets must include vegetables, fruits, pellets, fortified seeds, grains, and cuttlebone so that they can get all the vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy. They also need fresh clean drinking water every day to keep them hydrated and free from stress.
Can You Feed Wild Bird Food to Parakeets?
Yes, you can provide parakeets wild bird food, as a special treat but in moderation. They might not be filled with the standard nutrition required by the bird. So, you cannot convert them into a staple food.
They are also high in fat content and consuming them daily can lead to disorders, such as overweight, obesity problems, fatty liver, and kidney problems in the birds. Mostly wide bird feeds are formulated for garden birds whose dietary requirements are quite different from the parakeets.
What are the Benefits of Feeding Wild Bird Seeds to Parakeets?
Wild bird seeds are more affordable when compared with packed parakeet food and if you are on a tight budget, then this can be readily available. It is a perfect feeding solution and you can get them at pits or garden or bird centers or even order them online.
Wild bird seeds provide enrichment to the parakeets as they contain a mix of seeds, grains, and nuts and have a diverse nutrient range. Also, it has a different texture and shape that stimulates the forging Instinct of the birds and keeps them engaged mentally.
What is the Risk of Feeding Wild Bird Seeds to Parakeets?
The main concern of feeding wild bird seed to parakeets is the size and shape. These are quite large and parakeets having small beaks find it difficult to break them. It can cause a risk of choking and they also have tough outer shells which are difficult to crush.
Daily feeding of wild bird seeds to parakeets can cause nutritional deficiency as these seeds lack all the nutrients that a bird needs for healthy developed growth. Wild boat seeds are quite tasty, so if it is served to the parakeets in an uncontrolled manner, then it can lead to obesity, random weight gain, and other associated health issues.
What is the Difference in Diet – Wild Birds and Parakeets?
When talking about wild birds and parakeets, there is a key difference in their diet, such as –
Fat Content in Diet
Wild birds have higher fat and oil content in their diet when compared to parakeets because they need more energy to survive in natural habitats, facing harsh weather, and predators, and even need to cover long distances. On the other hand, parakeets lead a sedentary lifestyle, so they don’t need too much fat in their diet
Nutritional Requirement
Wild birds also depend on vegetation and insects which have all the essential nutrients and vitamins they need. Parakeets need a combination of fruits, seeds, and vegetables for their diet and there are also formulated foods that meet their nutritional needs. They enjoy fresh green fruits and nibble on grains, making it a balanced food.
Way of Getting Food
Wild birds show a natural foraging behavior as they have to search for their food in the environment. So, they move from tree to tree to get insects or food from the ground. Whereas, domestic birds, such as Parakeets, rely on the food provided by the owner at their designated cage and food area.
Active Lifestyle
Wild birds have a higher metabolic rate and also lead an active lifestyle, but parakeets have low metabolic rates, so their diet should be tailor-made. Since the lifestyle of a wild bird varies from parakeet it is recommended to parakeet-owners to stick to the bird’s specific diet, so that they get all the nutritional needs fulfilled.
How the Nutritional Content Varies – Wild Bird Seed and Parakeet Food?
Here are the differences you get to find in wild bird seed and parakeet food, such as –
Protein Content
Protein is highly essential for the development and growth of a bird, so when compared with wild bird seeds, the formulated food for parakeets has a higher protein content. Parakeet food has 12% to 15% protein, while wild bird seeds have 8% to 10% protein.
Fat and Carbohydrate
Birds also need a good source of energy that comes from fat and carbohydrate food. Parakeet food has the right amount of fat and carbohydrates so that the birds do not fall sick. However, wild bird seeds do not meet any such balance and some might have higher fat content while others might have higher carbohydrate content.
Vitamin and Mineral
For the overall development of a bird, vitamins and minerals are very much essential. Parakeet food is fortified with vitamins and minerals to provide them with a balanced diet, but wild bird seeds are not on the same level of fortification. Parakeet food contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E and minerals, like calcium, phosphorus which boost the immune system, and make the bone strong, and also improve the vitality of the birds.
Diverse Nutrients
Parakeet-formulated food has a diverse range of nutrients that include seeds, green leaves, fruit, and vegetables making a perfect balanced diet for the birds whereas wild bird seeds do not serve the same level of nutrition gradient.
Parakeets can have wild bird seeds, but as they do not serve all the nutritional benefits it is not recommended on a daily basis. It also should not be the primary source of nutrition for the birth. It should be provided with other balanced diet supplements in the form of optional treats.
How to Prepare and Serve Wild Bird Feeds to Parakeets?
Parakeets enjoy wild bird seeds, so you need to make them safe and healthy for the birds. Here is the guide you need to follow:
Select Seed Mix
When you are selecting a wild bird seed mixture for the parakeet it should be a high-quality blend. The mixture should have all kinds of seeds, such as sunflowers, safflower, and millets which make the serving delicious as well as full of nutrition. You need to avoid large amounts of fillers and low-quality ingredients.
Soak the Seeds
You have to soak the wild bird seed in water as they are too hard for the birds to crack open. Soaking the seeds makes them soft and also makes them more palatable. You can leave the seeds in water for a few hours or overnight before serving them to parakeets.
Crush the Seeds
If you find that the wild bird food mixer contains larger pieces of seeds, such as corn kernels and nuts, then crush them up into smaller manageable sizes. This will allow the birds to pick them up and it becomes easy to break and there are also no choking hazards.
Added Food Items
Additionally, mix the wild bird seeds with fresh fruits and vegetables, like carrots, apples, berries, and leafy greens to make it a nutrient bird food mixture. But, if you are introducing something new to the parakeet, then always consult with a veterinarian so that you can ensure the safety and maintain precautions to keep your feathered friend healthy.
Can You Give Low-Fat Seed to Parakeets?
Yes, you can provide the parakeets with sprouted seeds which are low in fat content, but high in carbohydrates and protein.
How Much Wild Bird Seeds Can You Feed Parakeets?
Take one pinch of wild bird seed mix and provide them to the parakeets. However, long-term feeding can expose them to nutritional deficiency issues.
