Dear budgie friends, it is a long way from your beautiful country to Prague (capital of the Czech Republic). I had my first budgies in my 10 years (in 1971). I have made a lot of mistakes during my life with budgies. I am nearly 47 now and perhaps I am a little more experienced but budgies my dear friends – it is really a long distance race. Around 1990 I began to collect information about good budgie diet and budgie health and diseases. Why? I realized that bad and unbalanced budgie nourishment goes hand in hand with bad health state of budgies. Therefore I am very pleased I can share my pieces of knowledge about health budgie diet with you.
Last I would like to thank to Barrie who allowed me to drop a line here. You are here in good hands dear budgie friends.
Best wishes
Ales Tronicek
(if you want to write me some yours reminders or new topics to health budgie diet you can contact me here: atronicek@upcmail.cz)
Thank you Ales for making this cookery book possible. Your friend barrie.
The Cookery Book.
SEED MIXTURE
I have tried out a lot of seed mixtures during my life with budgies. There are many seed mixtures producers all over the world. Certainly the experienced breeders are mixing their own seed mixtures. But we rather buy seed mixture in the shop. Now I buy without any exception only two seed mixtures – seed mixture from Trill and seed mixture from Versele Laga.
Trill – excellent seed purity, good packaging, well–balanced ratio of seeds
Prestige Premium – Versele Laga – excellent packaging, good seed purity, well–balanced ratio of seeds.
I have tried out a lot of seed mixtures during my life with budgies. There are many seed mixtures producers all over the world. Certainly the experienced breeders are mixing their own seed mixtures. But we rather buy seed mixture in the shop. Now I buy without any exception only two seed mixtures – seed mixture from Trill and seed mixture from Versele Laga.
Trill – excellent seed purity, good packaging, well–balanced ratio of seeds
Prestige Premium – Versele Laga – excellent packaging, good seed purity, well–balanced ratio of seeds.
Trill seed mixture. Versele Laga prestige
Premium
Tip:
Do not buy any seeds in punctured, deformed or ruptured boxes or bags. There is the risk of insect, warms or moths infestation.
You can stock the seeds in the clean, dry and ventilated place. The best stock is in a refrigerator. Then you minimalize pest attack and its spreading.
If you notice that single grains are hanging on the hardly visible fibres discard all volume of seeds immediately and check seeds which were stored togeter next to infestated box (if any).
Tip:
Do not buy any seeds in punctured, deformed or ruptured boxes or bags. There is the risk of insect, warms or moths infestation.
You can stock the seeds in the clean, dry and ventilated place. The best stock is in a refrigerator. Then you minimalize pest attack and its spreading.
If you notice that single grains are hanging on the hardly visible fibres discard all volume of seeds immediately and check seeds which were stored togeter next to infestated box (if any).
WATER
You can use clean, fresh water from the tap. If you are not sure with the water source it is recommended to boil such water and let it cool down. Even chlorinated water is recommended to boil by some authors. I solved it simply – I am using Aqua Drink from Vitacraft producer.
Aqua drink from Vitacraft – mineralized water with iodine ingredient, nullipore, natrium, kalium, magnesium.
Tip:
Never use icy water or Aqua drink directly from refrigerator or tap. Water should be on the room temperature or a little lower.
Change water minimum one a day – in hot weather more often.
You can use clean, fresh water from the tap. If you are not sure with the water source it is recommended to boil such water and let it cool down. Even chlorinated water is recommended to boil by some authors. I solved it simply – I am using Aqua Drink from Vitacraft producer.
Aqua drink from Vitacraft – mineralized water with iodine ingredient, nullipore, natrium, kalium, magnesium.
Tip:
Never use icy water or Aqua drink directly from refrigerator or tap. Water should be on the room temperature or a little lower.
Change water minimum one a day – in hot weather more often.
GRASSES – Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata)
If you go for a walk with your friend or with your family you can bring very delicious gift for you small sweeties which are expecting you at home impatiently.
Maybe you have seen this species of grass but maybe you do not know that your sweeties would be very happy if you brought clump of these grasses. They love them. You can find this grass almost everywhere on the meadows, glades etc. Our budgies can eat it as half ripe or ripe. It is very easy to find it. Its spear can achieve 1,5m in height.
Orchard Grass.
Wash down grasses by cold water. Cut the bottom part of footstalk and you can serve them. Rest of grasses you can store in the cup or glass with water for several days. Do not forget to cut bottom always – the stalk can be rotten there.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
If you go for a walk with your friend or with your family you can bring very delicious gift for you small sweeties which are expecting you at home impatiently.
Maybe you have seen this species of grass but maybe you do not know that your sweeties would be very happy if you brought clump of these grasses. They love them. You can find this grass almost everywhere on the meadows, glades etc. Our budgies can eat it as half ripe or ripe. It is very easy to find it. Its spear can achieve 1,5m in height.
Orchard Grass.
Wash down grasses by cold water. Cut the bottom part of footstalk and you can serve them. Rest of grasses you can store in the cup or glass with water for several days. Do not forget to cut bottom always – the stalk can be rotten there.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
HERBS – Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Perhaps each of us was stung by stinging nettle in his life. Surprisingly it is health for us. But the greatest surprise – stinging nettle especially her half-ripe and ripe seeds are tasty for our budgies and can be served as healthy bird food. You can cut the fresh leaves on the small pieces too and serve them. Stinging nettle can be turned into a tea made from the leaves and stems. This tea has been used to stop bleeding for people. Birds that suffer from kidney problems can be fed with young stinging nettle leaves.
Stinging Nettle.
Tip:
Pour hot water over the leaves for neutralizing the stinging substances before serving them to your budgies.
Store it in the pot filled with water – stinging nettle is going dry very quickly (after two or three hours stinging nettle can be almost dry). For example before you get stinging nettle home.
You can freeze stinging nettle and let it as a good food for the time in winter
Note: Photograph of stinging nettle seeds I will insert later (stinging nettle is flowering in August)
Perhaps each of us was stung by stinging nettle in his life. Surprisingly it is health for us. But the greatest surprise – stinging nettle especially her half-ripe and ripe seeds are tasty for our budgies and can be served as healthy bird food. You can cut the fresh leaves on the small pieces too and serve them. Stinging nettle can be turned into a tea made from the leaves and stems. This tea has been used to stop bleeding for people. Birds that suffer from kidney problems can be fed with young stinging nettle leaves.
Stinging Nettle.
Tip:
Pour hot water over the leaves for neutralizing the stinging substances before serving them to your budgies.
Store it in the pot filled with water – stinging nettle is going dry very quickly (after two or three hours stinging nettle can be almost dry). For example before you get stinging nettle home.
You can freeze stinging nettle and let it as a good food for the time in winter
Note: Photograph of stinging nettle seeds I will insert later (stinging nettle is flowering in August)
Dish – Eggs
I hope each of us serves eggs to our budgies from time to time. Most of us buy the eggs somewhere in a shop. Happier of us can get eggs from the people at a village who are keeping poultry – hens in our cause. If you have this possibility use always homegrown eggs for yourself and for your budgies too.
What do we get? – Proteins and Calcium. I serve an egg once a week. Certainly the breeders feed with eggs more often in the time of breeding.
On the left you can see homegrown egg and on the right the egg from the shop, Difference is immediately visible by naked eye. I would wish you to compare smell.
The difference is perceptible even on the non cut egg.
Perspicuous difference
I serve egg as grated – see the picture. You can use slices or simply slit on the halves too or anyway.
Grated egg
Tip:
Boil the eggs in the water minimum 15 minutes. I boil the eggs 25 – 30 minutes (since the start of boiling water). Why? As it is necessary to destroy possible germs. Human can be restored to health but budgie not in most cases.
Remove dish with egg at about 3 hours.
You can mix the grated egg with grated carrot and breadcrumbs.
What do we get? – Proteins and Calcium. I serve an egg once a week. Certainly the breeders feed with eggs more often in the time of breeding.
On the left you can see homegrown egg and on the right the egg from the shop, Difference is immediately visible by naked eye. I would wish you to compare smell.
The difference is perceptible even on the non cut egg.
Perspicuous difference
I serve egg as grated – see the picture. You can use slices or simply slit on the halves too or anyway.
Grated egg
Tip:
Boil the eggs in the water minimum 15 minutes. I boil the eggs 25 – 30 minutes (since the start of boiling water). Why? As it is necessary to destroy possible germs. Human can be restored to health but budgie not in most cases.
Remove dish with egg at about 3 hours.
You can mix the grated egg with grated carrot and breadcrumbs.
HERBS – Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
I think everyone knows dandelion. Many small umbrellas (seeds of dandelion) are on the wing in spring and your babies are blowing to them. But most people do not know that the leaves of this common plant are a delicacy for our budgies. It is surprise, isn’t it? Fresh dandelion can be picked from March to November.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water before.
Dandelion leaf
Tip:
You can freeze some dandelion for the winter season.
Pick rather young fresh sprouts. Our budgies prefer them.
Never pick up dandelions near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
I think everyone knows dandelion. Many small umbrellas (seeds of dandelion) are on the wing in spring and your babies are blowing to them. But most people do not know that the leaves of this common plant are a delicacy for our budgies. It is surprise, isn’t it? Fresh dandelion can be picked from March to November.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water before.
Dandelion leaf
Tip:
You can freeze some dandelion for the winter season.
Pick rather young fresh sprouts. Our budgies prefer them.
Never pick up dandelions near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
HERBS – Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
I think everyone knows dandelion. Many small umbrellas (seeds of dandelion) are on the wing in spring and your babies are blowing to them. But most people do not know that the leaves of this common plant are a delicacy for our budgies. It is surprise, isn’t it? Fresh dandelion can be picked from March to November.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water before.
Dandelion leaf
I think everyone knows dandelion. Many small umbrellas (seeds of dandelion) are on the wing in spring and your babies are blowing to them. But most people do not know that the leaves of this common plant are a delicacy for our budgies. It is surprise, isn’t it? Fresh dandelion can be picked from March to November.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water before.
Dandelion leaf
Tip:
You can freeze some dandelion for the winter season.
Pick rather young fresh sprouts. Our budgies prefer them.
Never pick up dandelions near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
The Eggshells
Do not always throw out the eggshells. You can use them as a good source of Calcium. Budgies will be grateful to you especially before and in the time of breeding.
Take the eggshell after you shell the egg.
Remove eggshell membrane
Sterilize eggshell in boiling water
Dry the eggshell. I dry them in microwave oven. It is good as the second grade of sterilization.
Crush the eggshells. You can use a teaspoon for example.
Take the eggshell after you shell the egg.
Remove eggshell membrane
Sterilize eggshell in boiling water
Dry the eggshell. I dry them in microwave oven. It is good as the second grade of sterilization.
Crush the eggshells. You can use a teaspoon for example.
The Eggshells - completion
This is result of our work – the crushed eggshells.
Finally we can serve them and the rest we can give in the convenient case. I use something as Petri dish.
You can crumb it to the grit directly or you can use extra feeder. I prefer crushed eggshells mixed with the grit and then I supply them from time to time.
This is result of our work – the crushed eggshells.
Finally we can serve them and the rest we can give in the convenient case. I use something as Petri dish.
You can crumb it to the grit directly or you can use extra feeder. I prefer crushed eggshells mixed with the grit and then I supply them from time to time.
Red Foxtail Millet
“I like Red Foxtail Millet” our budgies scream. They are right. The most of budgies really loves it. But in spite of it some budgies prefer other gifts.
There is a little mess with the name “Spray Millet”. Generally if one says “Spray Millet” everyone envisions Red Foxtail Millet. There are more sorts of millets over the world. For example: California Golden Spray Millet – well known by our colleagues from US and Canada. Generally yellow sorts of millet are not so favorite by our budgies.
You can buy Red Foxtail Millet almost in every pet shop. But if you look at millet carefully you can see the difference in the quality (among various producers if you like importers).
I have chosen Red Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica 'Hylander') from Vitacraft
Advantage: very good quality, very clean, good packaging
Drawback: more expensive
Red Foxtail Millet
Tip:
It is possible to get half ripe millet but about it later.
Do not serve too much Red Foxtail Millet. Your budgies would not eat anything else. Use it only in small quantities. Otherwise there is a danger of overweight and vitamins and minerals lack. I serve it once a week or fortnight.
Use it as a gift during taming and training.
Red Foxtail Millet can be sprouted and served then.
Bull Grass (bromus mollis)
Pleasant surprice for us today - not too well known gift for our sweeties - and gratis.
Well, now we can go for a walk again. If you are standing somewhere on the meadow or glade you can look around yourself and you will see undoubtedly Bull Grass (bromus mollis) or Poverty Brome (bromus sterilis) or even Soft Chess (Bromus hordeaceus). Then you can cut it for our budgies. They will be happy.
Bull Grass
When I find Poverty Brome (bromus sterilis) and Soft Chess (Bromus hordeaceus) I will insert their pictures.
Wash down grasses by cold water. Cut the bottom part of footstalk and you can serve them. Rest of grasses you can store in the cup or glass with water for several days. Do not forget to cut bottom always – the stalk can be rotten there.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Pleasant surprice for us today - not too well known gift for our sweeties - and gratis.
Well, now we can go for a walk again. If you are standing somewhere on the meadow or glade you can look around yourself and you will see undoubtedly Bull Grass (bromus mollis) or Poverty Brome (bromus sterilis) or even Soft Chess (Bromus hordeaceus). Then you can cut it for our budgies. They will be happy.
Bull Grass
When I find Poverty Brome (bromus sterilis) and Soft Chess (Bromus hordeaceus) I will insert their pictures.
Wash down grasses by cold water. Cut the bottom part of footstalk and you can serve them. Rest of grasses you can store in the cup or glass with water for several days. Do not forget to cut bottom always – the stalk can be rotten there.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Apple and Carrots
Probably the most often and commonly used fruit and vegetable for our budgies. What to say on this topic. Perhaps nothing. If I want our cookery book to be complete I have to mention them.
Apple Apple in vegetable holder
I serve apple once a week or fortnight. There is tendency to diarrhea. After some time diarrhea fades away.
Probably the most often and commonly used fruit and vegetable for our budgies. What to say on this topic. Perhaps nothing. If I want our cookery book to be complete I have to mention them.
Apple Apple in vegetable holder
I serve apple once a week or fortnight. There is tendency to diarrhea. After some time diarrhea fades away.
Carrot
Carrots
Slice of carrot in vegetable holder
Convenient vegetable holder
I serve carrot once a week.
Do not forget to wash apple or carrot in the cold water. Peel them. I do not use the top of carrot for feeding if I bought the carrot in the shop (except bio products). No one knows where it was stored and how it was sprinkled with insecticide and pesticide.
Tip: (apple and carrot)
Fruit and vegetable are better if they are sold as bio products. Unfortunately they are more expensive then.
It is better to serve carrot and apple as a slice. My budgies do not like grated carrot. Maybe some other budgies like it by contrast.
Do not forget to peel the apple.
If you have fruit and vegetable in a fridge do not serve them too cold.
You can use so called vegetable holder. It is very good, light and ready for use.
I do not use metal vegetable holders (they are sold too). They have too sharp jaws and too strong grip. Then they can injure our birds. The plastic vegetable holders are much better.
Carrots
Slice of carrot in vegetable holder
Convenient vegetable holder
I serve carrot once a week.
Do not forget to wash apple or carrot in the cold water. Peel them. I do not use the top of carrot for feeding if I bought the carrot in the shop (except bio products). No one knows where it was stored and how it was sprinkled with insecticide and pesticide.
Tip: (apple and carrot)
Fruit and vegetable are better if they are sold as bio products. Unfortunately they are more expensive then.
It is better to serve carrot and apple as a slice. My budgies do not like grated carrot. Maybe some other budgies like it by contrast.
Do not forget to peel the apple.
If you have fruit and vegetable in a fridge do not serve them too cold.
You can use so called vegetable holder. It is very good, light and ready for use.
I do not use metal vegetable holders (they are sold too). They have too sharp jaws and too strong grip. Then they can injure our birds. The plastic vegetable holders are much better.
Cuttlefish Bone
Perhaps every one has fastened Cuttle Bone in his cage or aviary. You can buy it almost everywhere. But you can notice that there are sold the cuttle bones of different quality. Some of them are not even packaged well. Some of them are dirty. Some of them are broken. Do not buy such ones.
Cuttle Bone is rich in Calcium and it serves for bird beaks grinding.
Cuttle Bone
I buy the Cuttle Bone which is on the picture. This Cuttle Bone is good packaged and clean. But the best Cuttle Bone which I have ever seen was the Cuttle Bone from Vitacraft producer. I can recommend it. Unfortunately this product is not imported to my country or very seldom.
Tip:
Install it with soft side towards birds (I saw it installed on the contrary).
Install it near upper perches in the cage (not somewhere at the bottom)
Do not wash it together with the cage (during cleaning) – the Cuttle Bone is porous and it can saturate any disinfectant.
If you disinfect the cage and all accessories after mites infestation for example – do not forget to throw out Cuttle Bone and replace it with new one.
You can scrape Cuttle Bone and add it to the grit if you have a suspicion for Calcium deficiency (read the text about the crushed eggshells too)
Perhaps every one has fastened Cuttle Bone in his cage or aviary. You can buy it almost everywhere. But you can notice that there are sold the cuttle bones of different quality. Some of them are not even packaged well. Some of them are dirty. Some of them are broken. Do not buy such ones.
Cuttle Bone is rich in Calcium and it serves for bird beaks grinding.
Cuttle Bone
I buy the Cuttle Bone which is on the picture. This Cuttle Bone is good packaged and clean. But the best Cuttle Bone which I have ever seen was the Cuttle Bone from Vitacraft producer. I can recommend it. Unfortunately this product is not imported to my country or very seldom.
Tip:
Install it with soft side towards birds (I saw it installed on the contrary).
Install it near upper perches in the cage (not somewhere at the bottom)
Do not wash it together with the cage (during cleaning) – the Cuttle Bone is porous and it can saturate any disinfectant.
If you disinfect the cage and all accessories after mites infestation for example – do not forget to throw out Cuttle Bone and replace it with new one.
You can scrape Cuttle Bone and add it to the grit if you have a suspicion for Calcium deficiency (read the text about the crushed eggshells too)
GRASSES – Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialis)
....and now I got up a small surprise for you
It is Friday today. I think some of us will go for a walk on Saturday or on Sunday. Do not forget to pick up grasses which we learned so far and you can add another one - Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialis). It will be excellent treat for our darlings.
The Rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis) flowers in May and June. You can harvest ripe seeds from June to August.
Rough Bluegrass
....and now I got up a small surprise for you
It is Friday today. I think some of us will go for a walk on Saturday or on Sunday. Do not forget to pick up grasses which we learned so far and you can add another one - Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialis). It will be excellent treat for our darlings.
The Rough bluegrass (Poa trivialis) flowers in May and June. You can harvest ripe seeds from June to August.
Rough Bluegrass
Wash down grasses by cold water. Cut the bottom part of footstalk and you can serve them. Rest of grasses you can store in the cup or glass with water for several days. Do not forget to cut bottom always – the stalk can be rotten there.
You can serve various grasses together. Serve the grasses in a tuft (or bunch ? - I do not know the correct word) You will see. Your budgies will do small hill of rubbish from it in an hour.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus Pratensis)
This grass is flowering in May and you will not omit it probably in a meadow. You can pick up it and to try to offer it to your budgies. My budgies prefer half ripe Meadow Foxtail but you can try to offer ripe grass too. But generally this ripe grass is not so popular by our sweeties.
Meadow Foxtail Meadow Foxtail-detail
This grass is flowering in May and you will not omit it probably in a meadow. You can pick up it and to try to offer it to your budgies. My budgies prefer half ripe Meadow Foxtail but you can try to offer ripe grass too. But generally this ripe grass is not so popular by our sweeties.
Meadow Foxtail Meadow Foxtail-detail
There is a half ripe in the middle of the picture
Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne)
When I was picking up grasses on Saturday I was lucky. I found Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne). Generally There are a lot of Perennial ryegrasses at my meadow where I am picking them every year but this year I found only one (at least I could take a photo for our book). It is strange as there are a lot of Perennial Ryegrasses in front of the houses at housing estate in Prague where I am living. But certainly I cannot pick them up here.
Perennial Ryegrasses
Perennial Ryegrasses – detail
My budgies love half ripe Perennial Ryegrass. Therefore have a look especially at green Perennial Ryegrass.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water.
You can freeze them for winter time.
When I was picking up grasses on Saturday I was lucky. I found Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne). Generally There are a lot of Perennial ryegrasses at my meadow where I am picking them every year but this year I found only one (at least I could take a photo for our book). It is strange as there are a lot of Perennial Ryegrasses in front of the houses at housing estate in Prague where I am living. But certainly I cannot pick them up here.
Perennial Ryegrasses
Perennial Ryegrasses – detail
My budgies love half ripe Perennial Ryegrass. Therefore have a look especially at green Perennial Ryegrass.
Tip:
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Do not forget to wash them in cold water.
You can freeze them for winter time.
Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Perhaps everyone knows this well known herb Ribwort plantain. You can find it almost everywhere on the meadows and glades. Dried inflorescences of the ribwort plantain are a tasteful addition to a budgie's diet. You can serve the fresh, long and narrow leaves of this plantain certainly too. Ribwort plantain flowers from May to October. Each part of this herb has a slight antibacterial effect.
Ribwort Plantain Ribwort Plantain - detail
Ribwort Plantain – leaf
Do not forget to pick up this health herb for your budgies. I was looking for other species of plantain on Saturday too but I did not find it. I hope I will be more successful next time and I will be able to share the knowledge with you.
Perhaps everyone knows this well known herb Ribwort plantain. You can find it almost everywhere on the meadows and glades. Dried inflorescences of the ribwort plantain are a tasteful addition to a budgie's diet. You can serve the fresh, long and narrow leaves of this plantain certainly too. Ribwort plantain flowers from May to October. Each part of this herb has a slight antibacterial effect.
Ribwort Plantain Ribwort Plantain - detail
Ribwort Plantain – leaf
Do not forget to pick up this health herb for your budgies. I was looking for other species of plantain on Saturday too but I did not find it. I hope I will be more successful next time and I will be able to share the knowledge with you.
Pineapple
We all know this fruit from tropical areas. There is nothing to say probably.
Pineapple
Certainly we serve flesh of Pineapple. I serve it very seldom.
We all know this fruit from tropical areas. There is nothing to say probably.
Pineapple
Certainly we serve flesh of Pineapple. I serve it very seldom.
Banana
Probably yet more known fruit is Banana. We all eat it very often. Then you can offer banana to your budgies if they like it.
Banana
I serve banana relatively seldom. My sweeties do not like it too much. Certainly we serve flesh of Banana.
Probably yet more known fruit is Banana. We all eat it very often. Then you can offer banana to your budgies if they like it.
Banana
I serve banana relatively seldom. My sweeties do not like it too much. Certainly we serve flesh of Banana.
Table Grapes
Again well known sort of fruit which we can offer to our budgies - Table Grapes. I insert these fruits in order to be our cookery book complete.
Table Grapes (blue sort)
Certainly you can use white Table Grapes as well. I serve Table Grapes only seldom. Do not forget to peel off husk or cut it in a half at least.
Table Grapes – peeled off and cut in a half
Again well known sort of fruit which we can offer to our budgies - Table Grapes. I insert these fruits in order to be our cookery book complete.
Table Grapes (blue sort)
Certainly you can use white Table Grapes as well. I serve Table Grapes only seldom. Do not forget to peel off husk or cut it in a half at least.
Table Grapes – peeled off and cut in a half
Poverty Brome
This grass Poverty Brome I already mentioned in today's introduction. It is very nice grass which is a little similar as cultivated oat but much more subtle. Poverty Brome is flowering from May to June. It is about a half of meter in height. This grass grows almost everywhere on the meadows and glades. Budgies like it.
Poverty Brome
Poverty Brome
Poverty Brome – detail
I serve these grasses whenever I find them (as the others)
This grass Poverty Brome I already mentioned in today's introduction. It is very nice grass which is a little similar as cultivated oat but much more subtle. Poverty Brome is flowering from May to June. It is about a half of meter in height. This grass grows almost everywhere on the meadows and glades. Budgies like it.
Poverty Brome
Poverty Brome
Poverty Brome – detail
I serve these grasses whenever I find them (as the others)
Cucumber
Each of us probably has eaten cucumber in any form. It is time you can try to offer this vegetable to your budgie(s). Some of budgies like this sort of vegetable.
Cucumber Cucumber Slice – Detail
Each of us probably has eaten cucumber in any form. It is time you can try to offer this vegetable to your budgie(s). Some of budgies like this sort of vegetable.
Cucumber Cucumber Slice – Detail
I serve slice of cucumber fastened in vegetable holder.
Tip:
You can rind cucumber (I do it) or you can serve it with a peel (I do not recommend it if you buy it in the shop). If you serve it with a peel do not forget to wash it before serving carefully.
Flax
It is interesting that Flax is not mentioned too frequently. Flax seeds have high content of fat and therefore do not exceed more than 2% of common daily diet with flax seed. Some budgies like flax. They have a fun with foofstalks of flax too. My budgies like nibbling of stalks more then eating seeds.
Flax
Flax – more detailed
Tip:
Do not sprout flax seeds.
Buy the flax seeds in a shops (without pesticides) – Vitacraft producer for example.
Owing to high content of fat, oily seeds should be stored only for a short while. I store them solely in refrigerator.
It is interesting that Flax is not mentioned too frequently. Flax seeds have high content of fat and therefore do not exceed more than 2% of common daily diet with flax seed. Some budgies like flax. They have a fun with foofstalks of flax too. My budgies like nibbling of stalks more then eating seeds.
Flax
Flax – more detailed
Tip:
Do not sprout flax seeds.
Buy the flax seeds in a shops (without pesticides) – Vitacraft producer for example.
Owing to high content of fat, oily seeds should be stored only for a short while. I store them solely in refrigerator.
Velvet Grass (Holcus lanatus)
You probable have seen Velvet Grass but you probably do not know that your budgies love nibbling of this grass. Velvet Grass flowers from June to August. You can recognize this grass according to its color. Its color is white with a slight imbuement of violet (flower head).
Velvet Grass
Tip:
This grass is one of the most favorite.
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
This grass is not convenient for freezing.
Do not forget to wash grasses up before serving in cold water.
You probable have seen Velvet Grass but you probably do not know that your budgies love nibbling of this grass. Velvet Grass flowers from June to August. You can recognize this grass according to its color. Its color is white with a slight imbuement of violet (flower head).
Velvet Grass
Tip:
This grass is one of the most favorite.
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
This grass is not convenient for freezing.
Do not forget to wash grasses up before serving in cold water.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
You can find this decent sort of clover on lawns, meadows, gardens and alongside paths. The white flowers contain sweet nectar and therefore budgies and other birds appreciate them as their food. White clover is flowering from May to July and can be up to 30 centimeters tall. But generally it is lower.
White Clover White Clover-leaf White Clover-detail
Tip:
White Clover is one of the most favorite for its sweet nectar.
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
The White Clover is not convenient for freezing.
Do not forget to wash White Clover up before serving in cold water.
You can find this decent sort of clover on lawns, meadows, gardens and alongside paths. The white flowers contain sweet nectar and therefore budgies and other birds appreciate them as their food. White clover is flowering from May to July and can be up to 30 centimeters tall. But generally it is lower.
White Clover White Clover-leaf White Clover-detail
Tip:
White Clover is one of the most favorite for its sweet nectar.
Never collect grasses near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
The White Clover is not convenient for freezing.
Do not forget to wash White Clover up before serving in cold water.
Common Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa)
This plant is about from 30 to 100 cm in height. Leaves are oblong earthbond. Flowers are small 3,5 to 5mm long – green or red. They are organized in narrow thin panicles.
You can find Common Sorrel at meadows, pastures and alongside paths. Common Sorrel contains oxalates potassic, vitamin C, flavone glycosides etc.
Common Sorrel Common Sorrel - detail
This plant is about from 30 to 100 cm in height. Leaves are oblong earthbond. Flowers are small 3,5 to 5mm long – green or red. They are organized in narrow thin panicles.
You can find Common Sorrel at meadows, pastures and alongside paths. Common Sorrel contains oxalates potassic, vitamin C, flavone glycosides etc.
Common Sorrel Common Sorrel - detail
Tip:
Do not use Common Sorrel too often. I serve it twice a month.
Never collect Common Sorrel near the streets, highways etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
The Common Sorrel is not convenient for freezing.
Do not forget to wash Common Sorrel up before serving in cold water.
Radish
Our favorite Radish. Everyone knows these red or white vegetable. Now we are speaking about red form of Radish. But not everyone knows that Radish is convenient and healthy vegetable for budgies. This vegetable is a little aromatic and not every budgie likes it. But you can try this vegetable and some of your budgies will nibble it surely.
Radish Slice of Radish in vegetable holder
Our favorite Radish. Everyone knows these red or white vegetable. Now we are speaking about red form of Radish. But not everyone knows that Radish is convenient and healthy vegetable for budgies. This vegetable is a little aromatic and not every budgie likes it. But you can try this vegetable and some of your budgies will nibble it surely.
Radish Slice of Radish in vegetable holder
You can serve a slice of Radish in vegetable holder. Do not grate it.
Tip:
Wash Radish up before serving in cold water.
Do not buy Radish if you have pesticide suspicion. Prefer self grown Radish or Radish bought in bio vegetable shops.
Your budgies have to be used to eat Radish. Do not be discouraged if the first trial will not be successful.
Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
If you are going out somewhere at a meadow or glade or you simply set for the nature do not forget to see around. Then you can notice small discreet plant - Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). You cannot mistake. Surely you recognize it according to triangular silicule fruits. Flowers are white to light pink. Shepherd's Purse is flowering from March to October and the plants reach a height 20 to 40 cm.
Shepherd's Purse
If you are going out somewhere at a meadow or glade or you simply set for the nature do not forget to see around. Then you can notice small discreet plant - Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). You cannot mistake. Surely you recognize it according to triangular silicule fruits. Flowers are white to light pink. Shepherd's Purse is flowering from March to October and the plants reach a height 20 to 40 cm.
Shepherd's Purse
Shepherd's Purse - Detail
Tip:
Never collect Shepherd's Purse near the streets, highways, agricultural areas etc. Avoid the parks in the towns and villages and all places you can await our four legs doggies excrements.
Do not forget to wash Shepherd's Purse up before serving in lukewarm water.
Chives (Allium tuberosum)
If you have your own garden you can grow your own Chives. If you do not have your own garden you can grow your own Chives too - in a small flowerpot for example. Then you can use this small alliaceous plant for your kitchen or for your small friends - budgies. Chives are very important source of vitamine C. You can use flowers as well.
Chives Chives-detail
If you have your own garden you can grow your own Chives. If you do not have your own garden you can grow your own Chives too - in a small flowerpot for example. Then you can use this small alliaceous plant for your kitchen or for your small friends - budgies. Chives are very important source of vitamine C. You can use flowers as well.
Chives Chives-detail
Tip:
Never pick up Chivese in the garden where chemical spray is used - grow your own. Avoid the garden alongside roads etc.
Do not forget to wash Chives up before serving in lukewarm water.
You can freeze it for Winter time.
Garden Cress (Lepidum sativum)
Do you know Garden Cress? This discrete plant (similar to radish) is not very popular or well known among people but it is really very healthy. We can offer this herb to our budgies especially in autumn and winter time when we do not have some others green vegetable for our budgies. Cress is a source of vitamins C, B1, K and beta carotene. It contains a lot of minerals as well (Ca, Fe, S, etc.)
Cress is good against inflammation, cleans air passages and supports haemopoiesis. Therefore we can use Cress if our budgie is suffering from respiratory diseases and kidney problems as well. Cress supports digestion and metabolism.
We use tops of this herb.
Garden Cress
Cress - detail
You can serve
Tip:
Serve young outgrowths.
You can grow Garden Cress at home for your budgies (or for you as well). It is very simple. Take shallow plate, put moist cotton-wool on it and sprinkle several Cress seeds. After about one week you can harvest your own grown Garden Cress.
Cut Cress off and it will grow up again quickly.
Wash Cress before serving
This herb is a little more aromatic and budgies have to get used to it. But they eat Cress well according to my experience.
Do you know Garden Cress? This discrete plant (similar to radish) is not very popular or well known among people but it is really very healthy. We can offer this herb to our budgies especially in autumn and winter time when we do not have some others green vegetable for our budgies. Cress is a source of vitamins C, B1, K and beta carotene. It contains a lot of minerals as well (Ca, Fe, S, etc.)
Cress is good against inflammation, cleans air passages and supports haemopoiesis. Therefore we can use Cress if our budgie is suffering from respiratory diseases and kidney problems as well. Cress supports digestion and metabolism.
We use tops of this herb.
Garden Cress
Cress - detail
You can serve
Tip:
Serve young outgrowths.
You can grow Garden Cress at home for your budgies (or for you as well). It is very simple. Take shallow plate, put moist cotton-wool on it and sprinkle several Cress seeds. After about one week you can harvest your own grown Garden Cress.
Cut Cress off and it will grow up again quickly.
Wash Cress before serving
This herb is a little more aromatic and budgies have to get used to it. But they eat Cress well according to my experience.
Litchi (Litchi chinensis)
Another exotic fruit you can serve to your budgies. The fruit is orange to red and is as big as larch cone. You can discover whitish flesh under the shell. There is a stone in the centre.
If you buy it do not forget to offer a piece of Litchi to your budgies. My budgies do not like Litchi too much (neither do I). But if Litchi is your favorite fruit then try to serve them a piece.
Litchi contains vitamin C, kalium, natrium, calcium, riboflavin and niacin.
Do not forget peel Litchi and remove the stone before serving.
Litchi Peeled Litchi Remove the stone
Tip:
Wash up the fruit before serving.
Peel the fruit
Do not storage for long time. Litchi has to be consumed very quickly.
Another exotic fruit you can serve to your budgies. The fruit is orange to red and is as big as larch cone. You can discover whitish flesh under the shell. There is a stone in the centre.
If you buy it do not forget to offer a piece of Litchi to your budgies. My budgies do not like Litchi too much (neither do I). But if Litchi is your favorite fruit then try to serve them a piece.
Litchi contains vitamin C, kalium, natrium, calcium, riboflavin and niacin.
Do not forget peel Litchi and remove the stone before serving.
Litchi Peeled Litchi Remove the stone
Tip:
Wash up the fruit before serving.
Peel the fruit
Do not storage for long time. Litchi has to be consumed very quickly.
Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
Do you know Zucchini? Zucchini is not only another cucumber. But very healthy vegetable (it is fruit in reality) for our table and even for our budgies. Therefore do not forget to serve a piece of Zucchini to your budgies if you get some Zucchini.
Wikipedia informs us: The zucchini can be yellow, green or light green, and generally has a similar shape to a ridged cucumber. But to tell the truth I use only green or light green cultivars. But never mind. I think that a green Zucchini will suffice for our budgies.
Prefer young Zucchinis. They have higher content of vitamins and trace elements. This time it is very good idea to serve Zucchini together with its husk (skin) because there is a lot of them.
Zucchini contains carotene (is changed in A vitamin in a body), vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, kalium etc. and certainly important roughage.
What we can say then – yes there is vitamin E and therefore do not serve Zucchini if your budgie hen is suffering from continuous laying. On the other side Zucchini is good for kidney activity (kalium), against gout and swelling.
Zucchini
Peel older plants
You can serve
Tip:
You can serve Zucchini with its husk (skin) if it is young
Peel Zucchini if it is older plant
Wash Zucchini before serving.
Do you know Zucchini? Zucchini is not only another cucumber. But very healthy vegetable (it is fruit in reality) for our table and even for our budgies. Therefore do not forget to serve a piece of Zucchini to your budgies if you get some Zucchini.
Wikipedia informs us: The zucchini can be yellow, green or light green, and generally has a similar shape to a ridged cucumber. But to tell the truth I use only green or light green cultivars. But never mind. I think that a green Zucchini will suffice for our budgies.
Prefer young Zucchinis. They have higher content of vitamins and trace elements. This time it is very good idea to serve Zucchini together with its husk (skin) because there is a lot of them.
Zucchini contains carotene (is changed in A vitamin in a body), vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, kalium etc. and certainly important roughage.
What we can say then – yes there is vitamin E and therefore do not serve Zucchini if your budgie hen is suffering from continuous laying. On the other side Zucchini is good for kidney activity (kalium), against gout and swelling.
Zucchini
Peel older plants
You can serve
Tip:
You can serve Zucchini with its husk (skin) if it is young
Peel Zucchini if it is older plant
Wash Zucchini before serving.
Vegetable - Mangold
I did not know Mangold at all a year ago. And what about you? If you know Mangold and you buy it then do not forget to serve this very healthy vegetable to serve to your budgies.
Mangold has a similar taste as spinach and contains similar substances as spinach as well. Mangold does not contain so much oxalic acid as spinach and contains Fe, K, Na, Ph, magnesium, CU and vitamins B, C and pro vitamin A. Farther folic acid and bio flavonoid.
Mangold
Mangold leaf
Mangold leaf
Tip:
Wash up Mangold before serving in cold water.
Remove Mangold leaf after about an hour - Mangold dies back very quickly
I did not know Mangold at all a year ago. And what about you? If you know Mangold and you buy it then do not forget to serve this very healthy vegetable to serve to your budgies.
Mangold has a similar taste as spinach and contains similar substances as spinach as well. Mangold does not contain so much oxalic acid as spinach and contains Fe, K, Na, Ph, magnesium, CU and vitamins B, C and pro vitamin A. Farther folic acid and bio flavonoid.
Mangold
Mangold leaf
Mangold leaf
Tip:
Wash up Mangold before serving in cold water.
Remove Mangold leaf after about an hour - Mangold dies back very quickly
Egg Food
Egg Food - Frutti Patee
If you are breeding your budgies or if your birds refuse to eat boiled egg, vegetable and fruit then you can try to serve very good supplemental loose egg food with fruit.
I use Frutti Patee egg food by Orlux (Versele Laga). Certainly there is much more producers of similar products on the market.
Except eggs the mixture contains vitamins A, D3 (very important for indoor caged birds), E, seeds, lysine, fruit, L-carnitine, nullipores etc.
Egg Food - Frutti Patee
You can serve
Tip:
You can add this loose egg food to normal boiled egg mash (grated boiled egg)
If you are breeding your budgies or if your birds refuse to eat boiled egg, vegetable and fruit then you can try to serve very good supplemental loose egg food with fruit.
I use Frutti Patee egg food by Orlux (Versele Laga). Certainly there is much more producers of similar products on the market.
Except eggs the mixture contains vitamins A, D3 (very important for indoor caged birds), E, seeds, lysine, fruit, L-carnitine, nullipores etc.
Egg Food - Frutti Patee
You can serve
Tip:
You can add this loose egg food to normal boiled egg mash (grated boiled egg)