My budgie only eats sunflower seeds. How do I get her to eat pellets?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 24 days old | 95 lbs
Luna is a very picky eater. Got her from a breeder that fed her the budgie seed mix and vegies. We offer her the vegies and seeds. She doesn't always accept vegies though. There is a small amount of sunflower seeds in the seed mix we give her. She only picks them out to eat. Since yesterday didnt eat rest. Started avoiding giving her sunflower. How can we fix it? How can we get her to eat the smaller seeds too? Can she starve herself? Also what age can she start eating pellets and sprouts? Thx
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 21st, 2018
Since she is young, consider transitioning her to a commercial pelleted diet such as Harrison's, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or KayTee Exact. You can still supplement with a bit of a fortified seed mix and fresh vegetables and fruits. Moisten pellets with warm water to make a mash and offer to Luna daily. Mix the pellets into her food and gradually increase the amount over a week or two until she is eating mainly pellets.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on September 7th, 2017
Pellets are the best to feed birds. I don't know what website your sister was reading. An all seed diet is considered bad. As a guideline, most budgies can be maintained on 1.5 - 2 level measure teaspoons of seeds per bird, per day in a shallow dish, depending on the size of the bird. If there are any seeds left over in the dish at the end of the day, it suggests that too many seeds were offered originally. Seeds are more like a "treat" than anything compromising maybe 5% of the diet. They should not be the main staple. Pellets have been developed to meet all the bird's nutritional needs. Pellets are the ideal diet. Pellets should ideally represent approximately 75-80% of the bird's diet. Fruits, vegetables and greens should account for approximately 20 - 25% of the daily diet. They must be washed thoroughly to remove chemicals. Cut them into manageable pieces depending on the size of the bird. Offer fruits and vegetables in a separate dish. If your bird appears to develop a particular fancy for one food item, reduce its volume or stop feeding it temporarily to promote the eating of other foods. I like Lafeber diets but I'm not sure you can get them in Australia. I hope this helps. If you have more questions please feel free to post again!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hi! I recently got a little baby parakeet. So far, she’s been doing very well; it’s been a little over a month. However, instead of eating all of her seed mixture, I think she just picks through & eats her favorites because there are a lot of remnant
How can I get my budget to switch to pellets. I have tried every method and he is very defiant. Please help as I have noticed a decline in his plumage coloration and I think it is due to malnutrition. He only eats the mullet out of his seed mix, and
What food should I be buying for my budgie, so that I do not need to buy a separate vitamin liquid or powder?
My budgies love to eat only pearl Millet and a but of green leaf vegies. They don't like eating any other thing. How should I balace their diet?
I want to give my bird better food. How do I wane him to enjoy a better food? He has a seed mix but I want to give him food that has more fruit,and veggies.
How do I get my cockatiel to eat other foods other than seeds she is still young and I feel her health could deteriorate. Pls help because I tried everything.
I have 2 parakeets and I have been feeding them seeds and millet. I believe that what I am currently feeding them is not nutritious. I am currently training them to eat fruit and vegetables and to be hand tamed. I would like to know what food can I b
I went to the shops and saw some flaky dry vegetable. I provide my budgies fresh fruit and vegetables but is it safe to feed her the dry flaky vegetable? The package had no instructions so I don't know if I can give her them. Btw are pellets good for
How would you know what type of food is best for your Budgie? Also what should I always keep a millet stick in their cage?
my 6-7 week half moon conure is gonna start needing adult food any advice on what kind and brand is the best?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
