Complete food advice.

[louiesbeansmum]

Hi there

I'm currently looking after my mum's budgie who is currently getting over a respiratory infection. She has been in the vets all week on antibiotics and is making progress.

I've just brought her some avipro to pop in her water but her appetite isn't great and isn't eating much seed ( she picks out the longer seeds) but she is eating millet.

My question. Complete food. What is the best brand to get as I think while she is getting better it will be the best choice for her ( as well as her usual seed) to get her appetite back and to ensure she is eating a good balanced diet. We are of course offering her a mixture of fruits and vegetables daily but she is never really keen . My next thing is to look at how to make a fresh chop mix!

She seems to be trying to sing and is ok in herself but just makes a noise when she flies or breathes but vet is dealing with this poor Pip.

Id appreciate your advice while I have her to give her the best. Thank you.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Try giving her some "leafy" greens - basil, carrot tops, lettuce, dill and see if she'll try those. From what I've read, fresh oregano might good for her - its supports the respiratory system.

[Morgan]

I would recommend Harrison’s but wait until she is eating her original diet normally on her own first. Switching her diet while she is unwell will only cause her more stress.

Giving her a probiotic during and for a week or two after her antibiotic treatment is a good idea to help replenish her gut flora. There a bird-specific ones on Amazon (the ones for chickens may be less expensive but check the ingredients for quality), and using a small amount of apple cider vinegar in her water in the evenings (overnight) is another option. Some people use Greek yogurt for chickens because it is low in lactose, but birds are naturally lactose intolerant.

For respiratory infections, vitamin A is paramount for the repair of the mucous membranes. Boiled eggs (mainly the yolk for cut A but the whites/complete protein will also be good for her) is the most easily absórbale form of pre-formed vitamin A you can give her. Also, if she likes any types of veggies, choose the most red/orange colored ones (cooked sweet potato, shredded carrot, diced bell pepper, etc.).

There are also vitamin drops (usually containing vit A, D, E, and some B vitamins) you can put in the water, but they can cause excess bacteria to grow in the water. If you decide to go this route you can remove her water at night and offer the vitamin water first thing in the morning, then remove it after a few hours and replace with plain clena water.

Other common deficiencies in birds on all-seed diets include vitamin D (best to get from exposure to unfiltered sunlight, otherwise a supplement is required), vitamin C (lots of veggies contain plenty but many bird don’t eat any or enough of their veggies), certain B vitamins (boiled eggs can make up for the ones missing in seeds), and magnesium because it is depleted in most soils. Hemp seeds are generally high in magnesium for a natural source, but other options include high quality low sodium electrolyte mixes or powdered vitamin C supplements for humans, or just a straight powdered magenesium supplement.

Extra calcium may be needed for hens, but too much (along with high protein, warm foods, more than 12 hours of daylight, and a perceived partner which could be a favorite human) will cause a hen to go broody and try to nest and lay eggs. Sesame seeds are extremely high in calcium so you wouldn’t need much, maybe a 1/4 tsp over the course of a week, and you can never feed too much dark green leafy veggies - they will only eat as much as they want/need anyway.