The Importance Of Fresh Nutritional Seed For Budgies
Avian scientists and nutritionists have discovered that the best diet for budgies combines fresh veggies, high-quality seeds, and protein. This provides a complete, balanced diet to keep them healthy and happy and ensure a good lifespan. There are three elements to our simple nutritional diet. Budgie Specific Fresh Low-Fat Seed, fresh vegetables and Protein Booster.
1) Budgie-Specific Fresh Low-Fat Seed
This is the best seed available for budgies, and it’s available from ‘Just Budgies’ by mail order with free postage! This is the Gold Standard in budgie seed and is used and recommended by avian vets. Beware of shop-bought ‘budgie mixes’ and ‘foraging mixes’, they are not as good for budgies’ health. They often contain wheat, barley, rolled oats, and other seeds with far too high a fat content for budgies who are prone to fatty liver disease. The wrong choice of seed can be a bad mistake for budgies long-term, and so it’s essential to make the right decision.
Our half-kilo stay-fresh packs are just $7 each, and when you order eight packs, you receive free postage PLUS a free chew mat for your budgies (which they will probably destroy by the time your next delivery arrives – that’s why they are called chew mats!). Order four packs at just $8 a pack and still get free shipping. Keep your fresh seed in the fridge or freezer to lock in its exceptional nutritional value. Avoid pellets that are colourised, chemicalised and dehydrated, also beware of shop-bought mixes and foraging mixes.
2) Fresh Vegetables (Uncooked)
Budgies are generally will eat most veggies. Please take a look at the list below; we typically use the top four, which are proven favourites, but you can give them what you usually buy for your own home.
When introducing a new vegetable to budgies, not eating it one day does not mean refusal forever. Keep trying! A small sprinkle of seed on top of the chop food often encourages acceptance and keep the portion small so that you can see if they have eaten it. Budgies also love chewing eucalyptus leaves or fresh branches from bird-safe plants like golden cane palm or bottle brush. They also enjoy dandelion leaves and flowers, but always wash these thoroughly and ensure they have not been sprayed with chemicals. Grass can also be offered, but not if cut by a lawnmower. Hand-cut or hand-pulled grass only. The wild millet in the photo is prolific along many country walks and parks. Budgies absolutely love it!
3) Just Budgies ‘Protein Booster’
In the wild, budgies will forage for bugs, worms, and grubs, all of which are rich sources of protein. In the home environment, this protein still needs to be provided, and it can be done with hard-boiled or scrambled egg but budgies need their protein regularly,
and preparing eggs can be time-consuming.
Solution: Just Budgies ‘Protein Booster’ is a remarkable, simple way to give budgies something they love, and it’s as easy as providing a teaspoon per budgie twice a week to ensure they never become protein-deficient.
Summary: Provide a well-balanced diet of low-fat seeds, fresh chopped vegetables, and protein, and you'll have happy, healthy, and active birds.
A Side Note
In the wild, budgies spend most of their day searching for food and water, which provides exercise, mental stimulation, and increased intelligence. You can replicate this at home by placing some seeds in a low, flat dish away from their usual perches. Mixing in small twigs, pine cones or leaves encourages natural foraging behaviour, keeping them physically and mentally active. To promote activity, toys should be offered. However, experimentation is often needed to find what engages your budgies most; even simple items like a ball of scrunched-up paper, milk bottle tops or plastic cat balls can provide hours of fun. Avoid mirrors, as budgies can bond with a mirror instead of their partner.
Also, don’t forget to add a cuttlebone to their cage. One side is rough, like a natural nail file, perfect for rubbing their beak on, and the other side is soft and full of calcium, which is crucial for their long-term health. And finally, when it comes to treats, skip the honey sticks or anything with seeds
glued together. Common sense tells you that these aren’t healthy for your budgies. ‘Honey sticks’ are too sugary, and often it’s not honey, and ‘glue’ in seed blocks is obviously not healthy! A treat for your budgies
should be fresh veggies, millet sprays, or maybe a slice of your apple. Don’t give them sugary or unnatural treats—keep it fresh and natural!
Use every six months for ‘in-house’ cages and every 3 months for outside aviaries. Just put in the water to eliminate worms and deter re-infection. Make sure it is the only water source available for the birds. The dosage is 50 drops in 100 ml of water for 24 hours, then repeat after 14 days - Cost just $29
Use every 6 weeks – one spray under each wing and one under the belly of each budgie to treat mites and lice and deter reinfection. Avoid the budgie’s face - Cost just $29
Contains essential minerals and vitamins to keep budgies healthy; it can be given in the water permanently or sporadically. The dosage is to add 4 grams of Soluvite to 40 ml of warm water to dissolve the powder, then add the 40 ml of warm water to 360 ml of cold water. Any remaining medicine can be kept in the fridge for later that day or the next day. You can adjust the amount you make up - Cost just $29
It’s also a great idea to keep a record of your budgie’s weight as this can give early signs of any potential problem. 35-40 grams is the
target weight for most budgies (A little more for English budgies). Micro scales are available from Just Budgies, just $29
IN SUMMARY
Simple steps to ensure the long-term health and happiness of your budgies
Next - make sure you have these essential items:
By paying attention to these simple points, you’ll help ensure the lifelong health and vitality of your beautiful Australian Budgies. If you can’t get everything right away, keep this list handy and order from our website when you can.
Order Direct at www.justbudgies.com.au
Or message Garry on 0412 993 334
Contact Us
Please get in touch with any questions about care for your budgie we’re always happy to assist at short notice. Simply call or text 0412 993 334 and we’ll make sure you feel fully confident and cared for every step of the way. Use the form below to make an enquiry if you prefer....
Over 8 acres of manicured grounds located in Mudgeeraba
Over 30 years Experience breeding & caring for Budgies
Available for 7 am to 9 pm
