Lovebirds & Cockatiel

LoveBird Food

• General: * Goal: To provide a balanced and nutritious diet that supports the health, vitality, and breeding potential of lovebirds. * Dietary Needs: Lovebirds are granivores and require a diet rich in seeds, grains, and fresh produce. * Avoid: Avocados, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat, sugary, or salty human foods.
• Seed Mix (Primary Component): * Base: A high-quality seed mix formulated specifically for lovebirds or small parrots. * Ingredients: Should include a variety of seeds such as white millet, canary grass seed, oat groats, safflower, and sunflower seeds (in moderation). * Enrichment: May include dried fruits, nuts, and fortified pellets. * Key Consideration: Ensure the mix is free from dust, debris, and artificial additives.
• Pellets: * Benefit: Pellets provide a complete and balanced nutritional profile, preventing selective eating (where birds only eat their favorite seeds). * Recommendation: Offer a high-quality, fortified pellet as a portion of the daily diet. * Transition: If a lovebird is not accustomed to pellets, they should be introduced gradually alongside their regular seed mix.
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: * Variety: Offer a daily selection of fresh, bird-safe fruits and vegetables. * Examples: * Vegetables: Leafy greens (kale, spinach in moderation), carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, sweet potatoes. * Fruits: Apples, berries, melon, mango, papaya, kiwi. * Preparation: Wash all produce thoroughly. Cut into small, manageable pieces. Remove seeds from apples and other fruits that may contain them. * Schedule: Offer fresh produce in the morning and remove any uneaten portions after a few hours to prevent spoilage.
• Supplements and Treats: * Grit: Provide a small amount of bird-specific grit or crushed oyster shell to aid in digestion. * Cuttlebone/Mineral Block: Essential for calcium intake and beak health. * Treats: Use small amounts of treats like millet sprays or honey sticks sparingly to prevent obesity.

Cockatiel Food

• General: * Goal: To provide a comprehensive and varied diet that promotes the well-being and longevity of cockatiels. * Dietary Needs: Cockatiels are also granivores with specific needs for a balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies. * Avoid: Same as lovebirds (avocados, chocolate, etc.).
• Seed Mix (Primary Component): * Base: A premium seed mix formulated for cockatiels. * Ingredients: Should be rich in ingredients such as white millet, canary grass seed, oat groats, and smaller amounts of sunflower seeds. * Key Consideration: The mix should be fresh, clean, and free of fillers.
• Pellets: * Benefit: Pellets offer a consistent and complete source of vitamins and minerals, helping to prevent the nutritional imbalances that can occur with a seed-only diet. * Recommendation: A significant portion of the daily diet (e.g., 50-70%) should be a high-quality, formulated pellet. * Transition: Transitioning a cockatiel from seeds to pellets may require patience and a gradual approach.
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: * Variety: Offer a diverse range of fresh, safe produce daily. * Examples: * Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, leafy greens (collard greens, bok choy), corn on the cob (in moderation). * Fruits: Apples, bananas, grapes, melon, oranges. * Preparation: Wash thoroughly and chop into small, bird-appropriate pieces. Ensure to remove all seeds from fruits. * Schedule: Offer fresh food in the morning and remove any uneaten portions before they spoil.
• Supplements and Treats: * Grit: A small amount of fine bird grit can be offered to aid in grinding food in the gizzard. * Cuttlebone/Mineral Block: Crucial for calcium, especially for female cockatiels who may lay eggs. Also helps maintain beak health. * Treats: Millet sprays can be used as a training aid or a special treat, but should be given in moderation.
• Water: * Requirement: Always provide fresh, clean water. * Maintenance: Change water daily and clean the water dish to prevent bacterial growth.