How often do I need to change my bird's water?

Question

It's a budgie, we just got it today, it still has fresh water. Right now, it's up in its cage in my room -- its so cute!!

Anyway, I was wondering, how often should I change its food and water? Every 6 hrs, every 8 hours? Advice?

Answer 1

I have had birds for about 4 years. I think that you might want to change the water everyday- even if it doesn't look soiled, it can get yucky.

For the food, I change it in the morning, just some plain budgie food, but I also give them a snack around 5 or when I get home, my vet said the the seeds are only 5% of a birds diet because of the fat in them. Your bird will thrive longer if you give him fruits and veggies. Just never give them avacados or any pits, or seeds that aren't already in their diet. They could die from this. Don't leave the fruit in the dish for longer than 3 hours because it mught get moldy and you could get fruit flies.

Grit is something that should only be in small-hook-billed birds, your is one of them. This helps them to digest their food and to break the shell easier.

I think that cleaning the bottom of the cage should take place once a week twice a week.

You should have a cuttle bone in the cage because it helps with the digestion. This is a small fish that has turned into a chalk-like substance.

Answer 2

I have two parakeets and the pet store owner advised that the water be changed every day. The food is to be checked every day also. You can tell if it has been eaten or not. There will only be the hull left. Also change the cage as often as is needed. You don't want to live in poo and neither does your birds. I hope you enjoy your bird, I do.

Answer 3

As everyone said -- at least once a day. But do check it to make sure they haven't soiled in it or, as my Green Cheek loves to do, make soup in his drinking water with his fresh foods.

I wanted to respond to the person who said to put gravel in their food. Parrots, including Budgies (Parakeets) don't need gravel in their food because they crack and eat their seed rather than eating it whole like some birds. In fact, some parrots that have been given gravel with their food have been known to have digestive problems.

While I think the Yahoo Answer boards are extremely helpful with questions like how often to change their water, remember that not everyone is an expert, even though they think they are, and may be feeding you bad information. When in doubt, call a certified avian vet to address your bird's health needs.

Answer 4

Every day, you should change paper in bottom of cage, give bird fresh water and fresh food. Sometimes, to keep your bird healthy, make a bird salad (tiny chopped up apple, broccoli heads, nuts). Make sure you have gravel or a cuttlebone in there to help with digestion. Have a quiet place for your bird. Don't put it near a t.v., or stereo, a window where it gets too hot during the day, and don't put it near a heater vent. Do spend time with your bird as they enjoy company as much as they enjoy some quiet time. Get some toys to put in the cage, they LOVE mirrors with beads on them. Good luck with your new friend!

Answer 5

You should check your water daily, if it is a small amount of water you need to change it daily. If it is a small bowl like for it to bath in every other day. But if it soils it's water change it immediately.

Answer 6

Clean the water everyday.

With the seed just mix it round with a clean dry finger everyday.
If you think it need changing then change it.
People says "blow the husks of the seeds everyday" but it gets rid of the edible seeds too.

Also give your budgie treats everyday such as :

Salad Cress - Peas - Apple - Celery - Courgette - Sweetcorn - Watercress - Boiled Rice - Parsley Sprig - Grapes - Cucumber - Dandelion Leaves - Broccoli - Broard Beans - Carrott - Finger of bread soaked in water - Mashed Boiled Egg (shell also) - Tomatoes - Lettuce - Cooked Pasta - Radishes (leaves also)
It will keep him healthy and live longer too.

Answer 7

I would change his food once a day, but he needs fresh cool water maybe twice a day maybe more.

Answer 8

i have a new canary and i change his water every morning. i don't use tap water, though. he gets the bottled water!

Answer 9

Daily, usually. Then check it throughout the day, and change it if the bird has deficated or otherwise soiled the water.

Answer 10

Don't think so