Lovebirds make great pets because of their small size, active nature, and playful personality. Proper feeding can ensure your lovebirds stay healthy and survive well. Start by choosing the type of food that is suitable and healthy for him. After that, you can set a feeding schedule to make sure he gets enough food and nutrition on a regular basis. If you are raising a baby lovebird, you can feed the baby birds directly (by hand) although this method will take a lot of time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Selecting the Type of Food
Step 1. Look for a pellet product specially formulated for love birds
Pellet products are an ideal type of food for love birds because the product is formulated to provide the nutrients needed by birds. Choose a product based on the age of the bird. Make sure the product contains natural ingredients, without additives or preservatives.
- Baby love birds require a different pellet product than adult love birds. Love birds can be categorized as adult birds when they reach 10 months or more.
- Look for pellets specifically formulated for love birds at pet supply stores or the internet.
Step 2. Give fresh vegetables to love birds
You can also provide support foods for your lovebirds, such as green lettuce (not crispy head lettuce or iceberg lettuce), spinach, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, parsley, dandelions, radishes, cucumbers, watercress, broccoli, sprouts and kale.
- Wheatgrass is also good for lovebirds because it is rich in chlorophyll.
- Do not give avocados to love birds because avocados are considered toxic to the birds.
Step 3. Give fresh fruits to love birds
Fresh fruits such as pears, bananas, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, oranges, tangerines, kiwis, figs, melons, cherries (stemless), and rose hips are great gifts for love birds.
You can also give your love birds dried fruit as long as they don't contain sulfites
Step 4. Choose a high-quality mixed grain product to serve as a snack
Look for mixed grain products consisting of various types of grains such as millet, canary grass seeds, oats (peeled), niger seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, kesumba seeds, and rapeseed. Mixed grains may also contain soybeans, rye, walnuts, brown rice, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds.
- Because they don't contain much nutritional value for lovebirds, seeds can only be given in small amounts and as a snack. Do not make grain as the main type of food for the bird.
- Make sure the grain mixture given contains a small amount of cantel seeds (also known as milo seed) because these ingredients are often used as fillers or fillers.
- Only use fresh, fresh grain mixes. If the mixture smells musty or is old, do not give the mixture to love birds.
Step 5. Give the bird some small nuts
Lovebirds also love peanuts (whether they are skinned or not), Brazil nuts, acorns, horse chestnuts, and hazelnuts. You can give nuts like these as a snack or as a main food supplement.
Step 6. Do not give foods that contain a lot of fat, sugar, or preservatives
Fast food or foods that contain a lot of artificial sweeteners such as candy and ice cream should also not be given to love birds. Also, don't give your love birds french fries, chips or fritters.
- Do not give food containing preservatives or additives to love birds.
- Do not give alcohol or coffee to love birds.
Method 2 of 3: Establishing a Feeding Schedule
Step 1. Give one tablespoon (about 10-20 grams) of pellets daily
Measure 1 tablespoon of pellets for a bird. Make sure 70% of the type of food given is pellets, and the remaining 30% is fruits and vegetables.
Try feeding your lovebirds at the same time each day. With the same schedule, the bird can know when it will get food
Step 2. Prepare a separate food bowl for each bird
If you keep more than one bird in the cage, provide one bowl for each bird. With this division, the birds will not peck or fight each other for food at feeding time. This division also helps you observe each bird's eating habits by examining each food bowl available.
Step 3. Wash fruits and vegetables before giving them to love birds
Use clean water (water running from the tap) to wash all fruits and vegetables. After that, cut the fruit and vegetables into small pieces and place them in a bowl separate from the bird food bowl (in this case, the pellet bowl). You do not need to peel the skin of fruit or vegetables because usually love birds can eat and digest the skin of fruit or vegetables.
- Try giving a variety of fruits and vegetables. Change the types of fruits and vegetables that are given to the bird periodically.
- Offer fruits and vegetables as a snack once or twice a day.
Step 4. Provide clean water for love birds
This bird needs a lot of fresh water. Change the water daily and refill the water bowl as necessary. Make sure the water bowl is full before you go to sleep so the bird can get and drink water at night.
Always use a water bowl with a low wall so that the bird does not drown when it wants to drink water
Method 3 of 3: Hand Feeding Baby Lovebirds
Step 1. Feed baby lovebirds by hand (manually) until they are 10 months old
Newly hatched birds or baby birds are better fed directly by hand. Although the process is time-consuming, this step is ideal if you want to raise a baby lovebird yourself from the start, and want the baby bird to thrive/survive well.
Usually, baby love birds that are fed directly (by hand) develop into baby birds that are stronger and happier than baby birds that are fed through a food bowl
Step 2. Prepare injections and food for baby birds
Look for a small injection with a smaller opening. You can get them at pet supply stores or the internet. You will also need to provide baby bird food which is usually sold in powder form.
Make a food formula by mixing food powder with boiling water. Follow the directions on the package to find out the ratio of water to food powder
Step 3. Feed the baby bird slowly
Use one hand to hold the baby bird and hold it against the chest with your fingers (without pressing too hard). Fill the injection with a mixed formula of 6-8 milliliters. Pour a small amount of formula into your palms to make sure the formula isn't too hot, but warm enough to the touch. Carefully tilt the baby bird's head upward. Place the tip of the syringe in the bird's beak and start feeding it.
Let the baby bird eat the formula given slowly (according to his ability). Do not force him to eat his food straight from the injection
Step 4. Check if the baby bird's cache is bulging
The crop is the upper part of the bird's stomach that will bulge when the bird is eating. Once the crop has bulged, you can stop feeding it.
Give the formula every three or four hours. Keep feeding him until his crop bulges, and never continue feeding after that
Step 5. Clean the bird's beak after feeding is complete
Use a clean towel to gently wipe his beak after he's finished eating. Usually, baby love birds will sleep after they finish eating.
