Why are my budgies eating their own poop? Should I be concerned?

This is not normal. It may be due to boredom, hunger or nutritional deficiency. Young birds may do this because they do not know any better yet. Review the diet with an experienced avian veterinarian to correct any deficiencies. Use a cage with a raised wire bottom so the droppings fall through and out of reach. Clean the cage regularly to avoid build up of droppings on bars.

It could be that they are tossing the seed hulls (which may look like whole food) as birds will hull the seed in their beak and then toss the hull and eat the insides. If this is the case, this is normal behavior. If none of your birds are eating, however, I would be concerned there is some sort of illness going on, or there is something wrong with the food. If you haven't already, trying a different seed and pellet mix that is brand new may determine if it is the food freshness itself or the birds. If the birds are showing any signs of illness in addition to not eating such as lethargy, staying fluffed up, etc, then it is best to schedule a vet exam and have them all examined.

I would not remove his food if that is all he is eating. Undigested seeds can happen sometimes, or you may also be seeing seed hulls that are dropped to the floor and land in the stool. If you are concerned about his nutrition, continuing to offer a variety of foods is best. Most birds are very picky and will refuse food several times until they finally give it a try and decide they like it. Continuing to add in foods, especially in a variety of ways such as hanging the fruit, cutting it differently, placing it in another section of the cage or in a dish, etc may encourage The Little to start eating those. If you start seeing lots of seeds in his stool, he has rapid weight change, doesn't want to eat or drink, or becomes listless or seems ill, then it could indicate something else going on which should be checked out by a vet in person.

He may be eating it in an attempt to correct a nutritional deficiency. Place a mineral block in the cage and remove the sheet. Budgies do not require grit, so eating the sand sheet may lead to digestive issues. Provide a variety of toys to keep him engaged and distracted from the paper. Playtime outside of the cage should also be increased if possible.

Hello there, Sometimes diarrhea can be caused by any change of diet. Pelleted diets are overall much better for budgies though, so your choice of diet is great! If the diarrhea continues or any other signs develop, such as lethargy or decreased appetite, please seek care of your budgie's veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

That is an odd and concerning behavior. I would bring Rio into your local vet first just to rule out any health issues, as eating stool can sometimes indicate a nutrient deficiency. Removing the objects he is intentionally pooping on, and making sure there is a barrier between him and his stool can help reduce this behavior, but ruling out any underlying health issues is the best course of action.

Diet changes can affect the stool, and if you're feeding any extras in addition to the diet change, this could be causing the change you are seeing. It is also possible that his current diet is causing some minor GI upset if it changes immediately after eating and then returns to normal. Other issues such as internal parasites can also cause stool changes, so ruling out and treating for any parasites may be a good idea. Removing any extras such as fruit and veggies and providing only his balanced diet for a few days may also help him adjust and his stool return to normal. If the problem persists, or you see any other symptoms or changes such as reduced eating/drinking, lethargy, etc, then seeking vet care in person to rule out any more serious issues is best.