I have three baby budgies (eldest 26 days, youngest 21 days). They are being raised on the floor of the cage as Mom didn't want to use the nesting box.

 

"Breeding Budgerigars" by Cessa Feyerabend suggests feeding both the parents and the young as they are beginning to eat seed a "good nestling food" and also have regular seed (canary, millet, oat) mix available. I have only found one "nestling" food, under the name "Sun Seed", which the Dad and eldest baby seem interested in. My question is this, is a "nestling food" with regular seed, the best food for babies, or is something else better - perhaps an egg food? They also receive greens, carrots, celery, etc. daily with their food. :feedbirds:

 

My avian vet suggested I use Avix Sunshine mixture (red palm oil) on their seed - any thoughts on that?

Recipes for fresh made eggfood are available in our food and nutrition topic heading. There are a lot of food suggestions there. You can also buy Budgie Starter from the bird shops, make it up and add mashed boiled agg, grated carrot, greens etc. If parents are fed well so will the babies be. At the age of three week I make sure all chicks in nests have access to millet sprays in their nest and some also get the budgie seed spread on the floor of their nest....as at that age they scrounge for food in the nestbox. Hope this helps

Edited June 29, 200817 yr by KAZ

Also at that age I put one or two celery leaves in the nest box so they get used to them, I find it makes it much easier to get them interested in other fresh food later and they almost all will chew on that whereas other veg I have tried at that age they aren't so interested in.

Recipes for fresh made eggfood are available in our food and nutrition topic heading. There are a lot of food suggestions there. You can also buy Budgie Starter from the bird shops, make it up and add mashed boiled agg, grated carrot, greens etc. If parents are fed well so will the babies be. At the age of three week I make sure all chicks in nests have access to millet sprays in their nest and some also get the budgie seed spread on the floor of their nest....as at that age they scrounge for food in the nestbox. Hope this helps

Yes, thanks, it helps alot - I will check out the recipes right away!

Also at that age I put one or two celery leaves in the nest box so they get used to them, I find it makes it much easier to get them interested in other fresh food later and they almost all will chew on that whereas other veg I have tried at that age they aren't so interested in.

I popped a couple of celery leaves in as you suggested and the eldest chick began munching (or at least ripping) right away - thanks!

Good to hear ....

 

Worse comes to worse and you have nothing Frozen vegies ( thaw in a little hot water ) works well too ....