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We are new with birds and now own 2 young parakeets. They were raised on a pelleted diet so we were told under no circumstances should we feed them seed. So we put the pellet stuff and water in the cage but warm up some "home made beak apetit" stuff every morning for them. Do they have to have fresh different food every morning? HOw often must they be fed?

My kids are 9 & 10 and any moment they are in the house the birds are with them Is it possible for the birds to have too much hand handling?

I think that keets need some seed in their diet. They should get fresh foods everyday. I give mine carrot, broccoli, kale, apple, orange, grape, melon and sprouts. Sprouts are seed that you soak in water and they start to grow. Takes a dead food and makes it alive. They should get and stay tame with your kids handling them. If they get used to being handled all the time and the kids aren't around they might get loud calling for the kids to come get them. Do they have toys in their cage to play with? They should have fresh water every day (sometimes more often if it gets dirty.)

I realize this is an old post but wanted to comment myself...

I have to agree about the seeds... An all pellet diet is just as bad as an all seed diet... although with seeds, you may come across obesity and vitamin-mineral deficencies.... in pellets, you can has issues such as vitamin-mineral toxicity. Both seed only and pellet only diets can cause liver and kidney disease.

A healthy diet should include plenty of fresh foods... anything from sprouts, to dark green leafy veggies, to bright orange, red or yellow veggies... maybe even the occasional pasta, whole grain breads, grains, etc.

This is a good thread to read about diet...
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