Should my Cockatiels have the seed tray all through the day in the cage or it should be removed time to time?

Question

What I mean, is that, should they have acess to food 24 hrs a day or only during mornings and evenings. Whats the right thing to do ?

Answer 1

Birds don't eat in the dark, at night. But during the day, while they're awake, they should have food and water available at all times.

As for seed - a seed only diet is not recommended. While birds in the wild eat seed, they are often high in fat - this is something that caged birds do not need, and is known to cause many serious health problems.

It's best to use a variety of foods, including a high-quality pelleted food, like Zupreem Natural, Roudybush or Harrisons.

I make a mix of 50% pellets, 10% seed, 10% Rice Krispies cereal, 10% Grape Nuts cereal, 10% Shredded Wheat or Chex and 10% mix of walnuts, raisins and popcorn.

All cereal should be sugar-free, and low in zinc.

They need fresh food. Romaine lettuce (diced), corn on the cob (raw and cooked), frozen peas, carrots and corn. Also good are cooked pasta, rice, beans and oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and unsalted or low salt, whole-grain crackers, like Triscuits. My favorite is homemade cornbread, veggie and brown rice muffins.

They will eat meat, like chicken, hard-boiled eggs and cheese, in small amounts.

Keep dry and wet foods in different dishes. Dry foods can be left all day, fresh veggies/grain type products should be removed after 3-5 hours, meat, eggs or cheese after 1 hour.

Some foods are dangerous and should be avoided. I've included a great link to good and bad foods, feeding guidelines, and other care tips.

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/nutrition/vfeed.html

Good luck!

Answer 2

All the time.

They should get fresh veggies, too, but don't leave them in the cage for more than an hour.

Here's an informative page about fresh foods, plus a lot of other interesting info.
http://birds.about.com/od/feeding/Feeding_Your_Bird.htm

Answer 3

Birds need to have food all the time. They're not like dogs.

Answer 4

leave it in all day

Answer 5

mine have seed all day