to pellet or not to pellet, that is the question!

[Amazonwar9]

Should budgies be eating pellets, or is a fortified seed diet with veggie suppliments and cuddle bone enough?

I've heard some people say that a pelleted diet is wasted on budgies, that it's not worth the effort, money or time. I have also heard that veggies should be given in small amounts, claiming they are "empty calories" and budgies digestive tracts arent built to handle to much. These same people, however, say that budgies only live 6-7 years. :aiwebs_01

My instinct says that this is bull hockey, and that my babies deserve and would benefit from the same balanced nutrition as their larger cousins.

I am currently feeding my budgies a fortified seed mix (as recommended by the pet store), fresh broccoli or brussel sprouts, a cuddle bone, every day, with the occasional small part of a millet spray or bird bread as a treat.

[BirdzRmylife]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Awhile ago I read from a resource that the smaller birds such as finches, waxbills, budgies, and tiels should have a base diet of seed, being that they have a high metobolism. This, I'd say is true with the waxbills, and finches... but the tiels, and budgies would most likely benifit from a pelleted diet. HOWEVER, natural is probably the healthiest way to go. Variety truely is the spice of life, and therefore if you offer your budgie a fiesta of daily fresh foods(Mainly vegetables), and the occasional table foods you'll probably have a very healthy budgie.

Your budgies diet, seems quite healthy from the foods you listed.

There will be a lot of contreversy on this topic,

[Willow]

I know little about Budgies, but Iwanted to put a plug in for TOP pellets, they are terrific pellets, organic, and my birds adore them. More info here: http://www.totallyorganics.com/
Good luck in your decision!

[Monica]

I've heard that TOP pellets are fantastic though I prefer to go as natural as possible. I agree with what you said amazonwar, it does sound like a bunch of bull hockey!

[carriesb]

Here comes a book!! This has been a very upseting subject to me because I have heard so many opinions it's driven me insane!!! I hear that pellets are to high in vitamins and protien for budgies. Then I hear they need pellets so who is right?? I don't think anyone knows the actual correct answer even birdtalk magazine will say one thing but then say another a month later. Well my vet says that my budgie should eat pellets but not just pellets he should have snacks of seed and veggies and small amounts of fruit and other table treats. So now I give my budgie all these things and I think of the pellets as basically a vitamin supplement I don't give him 100% pellets but I give him some everyday. But then people want to say what pellet is the best I've come to the conclusion it's the one they'll eat! I haven't tried top pellets and I've heard good things about them though. But so far I've had the best luck with the zupreem fruit for my budgie. I feel they shouldn't really have bad preservatives though like ethoxyquin,bha,or bht so look for food without that if possible. Also about them not having veggies because there systems can't handle them that's I don't believe true I give mine veggies every day and only occasionally are his droppings more watery and that's because he had something to watery like romaine. I just think you shouldn't give them a big serving like one grape is like us eating 50 and a whole piece of broccoli is a bit to much. So I give him like a little bit but every day I only give him fruit though occasionaly I feel it's to high in sugar for there little bodies. Sorry this was so long but it's something I'm very passionate about because I don't think there lifespans should be a few years lets all try for 20 years!!!!!!!