food in poop and supplements?

[louise22]

I have 2 parakeets. They are 4 and been in at least 2 homes before I got them. Last home they were fed mostly sunflower seeds and no veg. Now they get harrisons pellets a parakeet seed mix and carrots and kale most days (that is all the veg they will touch) only started to like kale recently so was mostly carrots they ate at first.



Should I add in Calcivet? Is it better to add to food or water? I'm worried that they will smell/taste it and not eat/drink.



Also this morning I noticed some food in poop. One has been to the vet recently for a respiratory infection and now on daily antibiotics and anti inflammatories for 2-4 weeks...think it was from him...should I add avipro supplement and how often should this be given? Been getting mixed reviews from people online.



The other bird sleeps just about all day...he is losing so many feathers each day...is it normal for them to sleep alot when molting?

[Hezz]

Moulting, or rather the production of new feathers, takes a lot of energy which can make some birds tired and grumpy. Adding some protein to the diet during this time can be helpful, the most accepted way by budgies is by feeding them either hard boiled egg or dried eggfood.

Since they are under the guidance of a vet, have you discussed their diet with them? Pellets are an individual thing, not many on this forum are convinced they are the best food for budgies. Most of us feed a good quality seed mix with a large variety of fresh veg, a little fruit, herbs, sprouts and seeding grasses. Supplements can cause more harm than good if not given carefully. This is something you should discuss with the vet.

[louise22]

Thanks for the reply. What dried eggfood mix would you recommend? Have tried them with egg and they didn't touch it. I told the vet what I feed and she recommended tidymix, which I got and they don't eat it apart from the pumpkin seeds from it. They have seed mix (versele laga prestige) and pellets available 24/7 and their veg given everyday...have tried them with lots of different veg and fruit but carrots, kale and occasionally sweetcorn is all they touch. What herbs etc can I feed them? It is the vet that recommended calcivet and avipro but just reading online, I'm a bit wary of giving them, don't know if too much calcium would be bad if they are getting enough from the veg and read about avipro making birds ill. My bird hasn't had blood tests or anything so not really sure what has caused the respiratory infection to know wether supplements would be a bad thing

[Hezz]

The brands available to me in Australia most likely mean nothing to you wherever in the world you are. If the birds have been ill and/or on antibiotics then I can understand the suggestion of using Avipro, but is meant as a supplement for sick or stressed birds, not general everyday use. You also have to be careful adding calcium as too much can be toxic, affecting their kidneys.

As for herbs, basil and dill seem to be favourites but any fresh leafy herbs can be tried in small doses. Food variety is the more important than quantity.