Pet Bird Food Buying Guide
The most common problem for bird owners is the provision of an unbalanced diet that causes illness, boredom and an overall decrease in quality of life. To help you avoid a pouty polly, check out these feeding tips. 
Seeds
For most pet birds, especially parrots and parakeets, a diet that is primarily based on seeds is too high in fat and devoid of many essential vitamins and nutrients. And since many birds will pick out a few favourite seeds to consistently chow down on, providing strictly seed mixes can only further reduce the nutritional balance present in their diets. So when it comes to bird nutrition, consider seeds in moderation--they should only make up about 10 percent of the overall diet for most species. And for those birds that can tolerate a higher percentage of seeds in their diet, like budgies or cockatiels, seeds should make up about 25 percent.
Formulated Diets
Formulated diet options for birds are made from a variety of foods including grains, seeds, vegetables and fruits. They are also fortified with vitamins and minerals, and are often baked into pellets or other shapes that birds will find both appealing and easy to eat. Formulated foods prevent birds from picking out their favourite food items and leaving the rest., promoting a balanced diet. But there are disadvantages. If you started your birds on seed first, it may be difficult for them to acccept and eat a formulated diet. Plus, these foods don't provide the ideal variety and stimulation that many pet birds crave. So it's best to combine pellets with seeds and other treats--consider them the food base, comprising 50-60 percent of the overall diet.
Tips for Feeding
- Start young birds on pellets, since they are usually much more willing to try new foods.
- Don't attempt the transition from seeds to pellets in a sick bird.
- Experiment with different kinds of pellets--some birds have preferences for different shapes, sizes, textures or flavours.
- Mix some pellets in with the seeds.
- Grind some of the pellets so they may be sprinkled over seeds or another treat. This will get the bird use to the flavour.
- Try moistening the pellets,to make them easier to eat and digest.
Major Manufacturers
Popular formulated diet manufacturers include:
- Harrison
- Kaytee
- Pretty Bird
- Roudybush
- Vetafarm
- Womabaroo
- Zupreem
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