@Ivan.Vanca I have created this thread for you. The previous thread got derailed and as none of your posts were on topic I have moved them here to continue to talk more about that and leave the other thread so the other member can talk about treat options.
Thank you for moving it Zara, I really didn't want to keep derailing the thread.
I want to begin by saying you actually have some really good thing in your birds' diet!
I give my budgies millet sprays, grass seeds, maybe some oats, canary seeds, some salads sometimes, carrots, sometimes cucumber, corn, sometimes egg.
It's great that they have grass seeds and canary seeds, they get veggies sometimes too which is great!
What I'd don't understand is you mentioned that pellets have corn in them (I assume that's part of the reason you dont like pellets?) But you're fine feeding fresh corn? I see no difference.
The main thing I am trying to share here is millet isn't an adequate foods source. In small quantities I am sure it's fine, not as a main part though.
My personal opinion is small amount of basically everything, but also adjusted as needed to suit individuals, is a good diet. Pellets, veggies (fresh, cooked, dried etc.), seeds, grains, sprouts, nuts, even fruits (though I personally pass on the fruit).
Here are reasons as to why high seed diet are inadequate.
There is a common misconception that birds only need seed. While individual requirements will vary, for most pet birds, especially parrots and budgerigars, a seed diet is deficient in over 30 nutrients (see below), including vitamins A, D3, E and K; minerals such as calcium; lysine, methonine and Omega 3 fatty acids. Seeds are also too high in fat. While seeds may be palatable, feeding your bird an exclusively seed diet is like feeding your children McDonald’s: occasionally is okay but fed every meal it is very likely to lead to malnutrition and ill health.
For diets, one size doesn’t fit all, any more than a single diet would be suitable for every human at every life stage. General principles need to be adapted to individual circumstances and preferences,
The following nutrients are low or absent in seeds commonly fed to birds:
- Vitamins – choline, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin (B2), cyanocobalamine (B12), biotin, D3, E, K and folic acid
- Vitamin precursors – b carotene, converted to vitamin A in the liver
- Minerals – calcium, sodium, phosphorus (70% tied up in non-digestible phytates in grains and plant products)
- Trace mineral – selenium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, chromium, vanadium, bismuth, tin, boron
- Pigments – chlorophyll, canthaxanthin
- Amino acids – lysine, methionine
- Fibre – (mucopolysaccharide) both soluble and insoluble
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Source for the above quotes.
When asked to think of a typical bird diet most people’s minds jump straight to a seed mix but in reality an all seed diet is like an all McDonald’s diet for people. On its own seeds contain primarily carbohydrates and fats and is lacking in protein, vitamins and minerals. Although seed diets can be supplemented with other foods such as fruits and vegetables most birds will still selectively eat a higher proportion of seed. A diet high in carbohydrates and fats leads to obesity, liver problems and lowered resistance to disease.
Birds such as the Budgerigar, Cockatoo, Galah and Cockatiel are traditionally seed-eating birds. As we now know a pure seed diet is unhealthy and should be replaced with a 60% formulated pellet diet. This can then be supplemented with small amounts of seed mix, fruit and vegetables.
(I dont agree with the percentage in above quote, but I added to show the fact that they still suggest some seed for grainivores)
Source for above quotes.
I just wanted to leave this information here for others, from what I can see you do not want to change what you do, which you are allowed to, I guess, they're your birds.
To anyone researching diet, please do alot of research and double check any info with multiple sources.
This is likely my last reply to this thread.
