My budgie is thin and bony. Is his millet and greens diet enough?

Thanks for reaching out ab out Beau and including photos. Agree that if too cold with fluff feathers in an attempt to increase insulation. But they usually do not decrease eating, as calories needed to make heat. A darker green stool is often a sign of decreased appetite, increased white and clear urine is increased drinking. Millet is a poor diet as devoid of many vitamins and minerals and is basically the equivalence of potato chips. A wide variety of vegetables is needed, a plant based protein source (beans, legumes, tofu) and avian pellets are recommended. As he is likely ill, a veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Provide heat support 24/7. Good luck.

Gradually introduce a pelleted diet such as Exact or Pretty Bird. You can soak it in warm water to make a mush or paste. When you have them out, pretend to show an interest in the new food as this may also pique their curiosity. Decrease the amount of millet offered and have other foods available at all times.

In the second image, she definitely looks unthrifty and ill. Without a physical exam though, it is difficult to say for sure what is going on with her. If you can, transition from an all seed diet to a pelleted diet which is more balanced. Brands include Harrison's, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or KayTee Exact. You can still offer a small amount of a fortified seed mix as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to round out the diet.

In the wild, budgies eat a variety of seeds, fruits, berries and vegetation. Fruits, vegetables and greens should comprise approximately 25% of their daily diet. A diet of solely fruits and vegetables is not balanced or healthy. If you want to transition away from seeds, consider a pelleted diet which is much more balanced and healthy. The male is exhibiting signs of illness or stress, possibly diet related. Consider having him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose illness or injury.

Just like people- birds can become picky eaters. We love to eat potato chips over our veggies, and many birds will enjoy millet over their regular diet! You may need to remove all the 'extras' to see if it will encourage Pepper to start eating his diet again, or mix a little millet in to his regular food (however some birds will pick out their favorites). If he's acting ill in addition to not wanting to eat his regular food, and isn't still improving as you mentioned, or he absolutely refuses even if all millet is removed, seeking vet care is always a good idea to rule out an illness or something such as GI upset that could be causing his preferences to be changed. Until you can get to the vet, keeping him warm, in a separated hospital cage, and with easy access to food and water can help.

Hello, There is no magic food that causes instant health. I recommend feeding budgies a formulated pellet diet with fresh vegetables and fruit. Here is a link on an ideal pet bird's diet: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bird-nutrition-feeding-pet-birds-parrot-diets-and-nutrition/ Birds do not show signs of illness until it is severe, so if your bird is weak, I recommend taking them to the veterinarian for an exam. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using PetCoach!

A good quality commercial pelleted diet such as Harrison's, Lafeber, KayTee Exact or Pretty Bird can provide complete nutrition. You can supplement with small amounts of a fortified seed mix as well as a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.