Bird Feed FAQ

Information on domestic and wild bird nutrition & care

 

BIRD FEED
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bird Feed

Have questions about feeding and caring for your pet bird? Our Bird Feed FAQ provides expert answers on nutrition, health, and general care for domestic birds like canaries & parakeets to waterfowl, game birds, ostriches, pigeons, wild birds and more. Whether you’re wondering about the best diet or common health concerns, we’ve got you covered!

Domestic Birds

Diet & Nutrition

Q: What should I feed my pet bird?
A balanced diet for birds includes high-quality pellets, fresh vegetables, some fruits, and a small amount of seeds. While seeds are a favorite treat, they should not be the main diet, as they lack essential nutrients. Star Milling has a variety of bird feeds such as Cockatiel Mix, Parakeet Mix and Parrot Mix.
Q: Can pet birds eat fruits and vegetables?
Yes! Birds benefit from fresh vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli. Safe fruits include apples, berries, and bananas. Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, and onions, as these are toxic.
Q: Do pet birds need supplements?
If your bird eats a pellet-based diet, additional supplements are usually unnecessary. However, birds on a seed-heavy diet may need calcium (such as cuttlebones) and vitamin supplements, especially for species like parrots and cockatiels.

Feeding Schedule & Amounts

Q: How often should I feed my bird?
Fresh food and water should be provided daily. Small birds like canaries and parakeets eat small amounts throughout the day, while larger parrots may have set meal times. Always remove uneaten fresh food within a few hours to prevent spoilage.

Health & Shelter

Q: Do pet birds need companionship?
Many birds, especially parrots, cockatiels, and parakeets, are social and thrive with a companion or regular human interaction. If kept alone, they need plenty of mental stimulation, toys, and time outside the cage to prevent boredom and loneliness.
Q: How do I disinfect my bird cages?
  • Papers should be changed daily. Newspapers are the best and can be pre-cut and slipped in the bottom.
  • Droppings on the grate should be cleaned with a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar.
  • Food and water dishes should be washed daily in hot soapy water. It is a good idea to have two sets of dishes and change them out daily. The dirty ones can go in the dish washer.
  • Cages should be washed every two weeks with soap and water. You should disinfect the cage by purchasing an avian disinfectant from your local pet store.
Q: What is the ideal temperature for my bird?

The ideal temperature for a domestic bird is between 65- 80° F. Birds cannot handle sudden drops or increases in temperature. It is important to gradually acclimate your bird over several months.

A good common sense approach for inside birds would be if you are hot, your bird is too. Put on a fan that is not directly pointing at the bird. If you are cold and need a sweater, your bird is probably also cold. Turn on the heater.

Ducks, Geese & Swans (Waterfowl)

Diet & Nutrition

Q: What do waterfowl eat?
Waterfowl typically eat aquatic plants, small fish, invertebrates, seeds, grasses, and sometimes insects. Their diet depends on their species and habitat. Star Milling Water Fowl diet is a complete extruded feed that floats in water.
Q: How do I provide clean water for waterfowl?
Clean, fresh water is essential. Change the water regularly to prevent it from becoming stagnant and dirty. Use water troughs or ponds that are easy to clean.

Health & Shelter

Q: What birds are considered waterfowl?
Waterfowl are birds that are typically found in or around water bodies, including ducks, geese, and swans. They are adapted to life in aquatic environments.
Q: What is the difference between ducks, geese, and swans?
Ducks are smaller and more diverse, geese are larger and usually have longer necks, while swans are the largest of the three and are known for their elegant appearance and long necks.
Q: Where do waterfowl live?
Waterfowl can be found in wetlands, lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal environments. They need access to water in order to thrive.
Q: How long do waterfowl live?
The lifespan of waterfowl varies by species, but on average, ducks and geese live 5-10 years in the wild. Swans can live 15-20 years.
Q: What are the breeding habits of waterfowl?
Waterfowl generally form pairs during mating season. Female ducks, geese, and swans usually build nests near water, and both parents may help care for their young.
Q: Do waterfowl mate for life?
Some species of waterfowl, such as swans and certain geese, form lifelong pairs, while others may mate with different partners each breeding season.
Q: How do waterfowl adapt to cold weather?
Waterfowl have specialized feathers that provide insulation and waterproofing. They also have a unique circulatory system in their legs to prevent frostbite.
Q: Why do waterfowl honk or quack?
Waterfowl communicate with sounds like honking and quacking to signal danger, attract mates, or establish territory.
Q: Can waterfowl be kept as pets?
While some people do keep waterfowl in private ponds, it is important to ensure they have the right environment, enough space, and are not in danger from predators.
Q: How can I help protect waterfowl?
You can help by preserving wetland habitats, reducing pollution, supporting wildlife conservation organizations, and following responsible wildlife observation practices.
Q: Why do some waterfowl have brightly colored feathers?
Brightly colored feathers, especially in males, are often used in mating displays to attract females. These colors are a sign of good health and genetic fitness.
Q: How much space do waterfowl need?
Ducks and geese need plenty of space to swim, forage, and roost. A general rule is to provide at least 10 square feet of water surface area per bird and additional space for land.
Q: What kind of shelter do waterfowl need?
Waterfowl need shelter from predators and harsh weather. Provide a secure coop or pen with nesting boxes and a dry, draft-free area for roosting.
Q: How do I prevent diseases in waterfowl?
Maintain good hygiene, provide a balanced diet, and ensure they have clean water. Regularly check for signs of illness and consult a veterinarian if needed.
Q: What are common health issues in waterfowl?
Common health issues include respiratory infections, parasites, and nutritional deficiencies. Regular health checks and a proper diet can help prevent these issues.
Q: Can waterfowl be kept with other poultry?
Waterfowl can be kept with other poultry, but it’s important to ensure they have enough space and resources to avoid competition and stress.

Game Birds

Diet & Nutrition

Q: Why is a 28% protein diet essential for young game birds?

Due to their extremely quick growth in the first few weeks of life, game birds require a diet that contains 28% protein like:

Game birds, such as turkeys and pheasants, grow far more quickly than domestic hens and need a more concentrated, nutrient-dense diet to grow correctly.

Q: How long should I free-feed my game birds?

Age 0–8 Weeks: From day one until roughly 8 weeks of age, turkeys and game birds should be free-fed a high-protein beginning crumble. They grow really quickly during this time and require continuous access to a concentrated diet.

Age 8+ Weeks: You will switch your birds from starter feed to grower or finisher feed after 8 weeks. You can continue free-feeding these latter rations based on your objectives (meat, egg-laying, or release). Some large-breed turkeys, however, could require food monitoring to keep them from expanding too quickly, which could lead to health problems.

Q: What’s the difference between turkey and chicken feed?

The protein content is the primary distinction between feed for chickens and turkeys, and it’s directly linked to the varying growth rates of the two species. Despite the fact that both feeds are designed to be complete meals, turkeys are considerably larger birds that grow extremely quickly. Their meal must contain more nutrients, especially protein, to sustain this growth.

Ostriches

Diet & Nutrition

Q: What should I feed my ostrich?

Star Milling’s Ratite feed is a complete feed for ratite birds such as the ostrich, emu or kiwi.

Health & Shelter

Q: In what family do ostriches belong?

Ostriches are of the ratite family which means flightless bird.

Q: How do you tell a male from a female ostrich?

Male ostriches (roosters) are black with white wing tips and tail plumes. Females (hens) are light brown with grey plumage. Hens are smaller than roosters. When in season, the hens turn a silvery grey and the males will have red beaks, shins and neck.

Q: How long do ostriches live?
An ostrich will live to be 50-75 years old.
Q: How long does it take for an ostrich egg to hatch?

Ostrich eggs take about 42 days to hatch.

Q: How fast can ostriches run?

An ostrich can run up to 40 MPH.

Pigeons

Diet & Nutrition

Q: What is the best diet for racing pigeons?

The best diet for racing pigeons should be a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. A typical diet includes grains like corn, wheat, and barley, supplemented with peas and beans for protein. Ace Hi Racing Pigeon feed is a good choice. Additionally, providing grit and minerals ensures pigeons receive essential nutrients for digestion and overall health. During racing season, higher-energy grains such as maize and sunflower seeds can help meet the increased energy demands.

Q: How often should I feed my racing pigeons?

Racing pigeons are typically fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. This routine helps maintain a consistent energy level throughout the day. However, the exact feeding schedule can vary based on the pigeon’s training and racing schedule. It’s important to ensure they have enough food to meet their energy needs without overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and decreased performance.

Q: How can I ensure my racing pigeons stay hydrated?

Ensuring your racing pigeons stay hydrated is crucial, especially during training and racing. Always provide fresh, clean water, and consider adding electrolytes to their water during hot weather or intense training periods. Monitor their water intake, and if you notice any significant changes, check for potential health issues. Additionally, providing water sources that are easy to access and maintain cleanliness is essential to prevent bacterial infections and other health problems.

Wild Birds

Diet & Nutrition

Q: When should I start and stop feeding wild birds?

Wild bird that are seed-eating get their food from a variety of sources throughout a day. The feed that people provide in an outdoor feeder is a easy source of food, but not necessary to help the species of birds that come to feeders. This means that starting or stopping your feeding at any particular time of year won’t have much of an impact on those birds. The only exception is if there is bad weather (particularly a bad snow/ice storm) and natural food is buried for a period of time. In that case, the wild bird seed you put out could be life-saving for some birds.

Q: Is peanut butter or uncooked rice harmful to wild birds?

Peanut butter is not harmful to birds. Some people dilute it with birdseed or cornmeal to reduce its stickiness, but that is not necessary. Uncooked rice is also not harmful. Uncooked grains are a staple for the diet of species of many birds, so throwing rice at weddings is not going to harm any birds.

Q: How do I attract specific wild birds to my feeder?

To attract a specific bird species, it is best to know their preferred food in the preferred type of feeder. A great resource for this information by species is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s AllAboutBirds.org guide. Search for a specific species and read the Backyard Tips overview where you can find exactly what each bird prefers, seasonal range maps, birdsong recordings, ID tips and more.

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