FINCHforum

Hello! At this very second, I am about to go purchase my mother a parakeet for Mother's Day. I already have four Zebra finches myself, and they currently eat seeds manufactured by Nutriphase.

Can I feed my mother's parakeet the same seeds as my finch? I know there are different sizes of seeds and all, but are the nutritional needs between the two (seed wise) really all that different?

Can my finches eat the food that is marketed for parakeets and vice versa?

NO, you need to get the parakeet seed labeled for parakeets! It has bigger seeds in it and they need that. Otherwise the same applies as for finches: Mine love eggfood and greens and grated carrots and occasional rice or couscous, and soaked seeds and millet and their treatsticks.

And if at all possible: PLEASE get your mother at least two parakeets and a cage as big as possible. For some reason people seem to think that parakeets are happy in a tiny cage with a mirror. They are VERY social birds and need their own kind to hang out with, the more the merrier. And they also like to fly if at all possible and not just sit around and hop from one perch to the other...

Forgot to mention: they need cuddlebone for calcium too!

Ursula wrote:NO, you need to get the parakeet seed labeled for parakeets! It has bigger seeds in it and they need that. Otherwise the same applies as for finches: Mine love eggfood and greens and grated carrots and occasional rice or couscous, and soaked seeds and millet and their treatsticks.

And if at all possible: PLEASE get your mother at least two parakeets and a cage as big as possible. For some reason people seem to think that parakeets are happy in a tiny cage with a mirror. They are VERY social birds and need their own kind to hang out with, the more the merrier. And they also like to fly if at all possible and not just sit around and hop from one perch to the other...

Forgot to mention: they need cuddlebone for calcium too!

I realize that I said a parakeet, but I do mean two. Trust me, I would never have one animal by themselves (the dog mentioned in my sig is not actually mine, and thus my parents will not allow for me to adopt a second).

In all honesty, I am quite offended that you gave me this speech. I am not at all new to this site and I appreciate not being treated as such. My question implied absolutely nothing about how I care for my birds, so I do not need your lecture. I simply asked about the size of the seeds, nothing more.

The main reason I ask this is because I have given my finches food labeled for parakeets by accident. I did not read the label clearly enough. The birds had absolutely no problem eating them. Heck, I barely noticed a size difference.

I didn't see anything that you should be offended by You would be surprised just how may people try and purchase a single bird from me & when I question them, they tell me they would just like to start with one and see how it goes.. I then give them the speech about the social aspect of these birds and if I don't convince them, then they won't get that bird from me .. As for the parakeet seed, most brands are primarily the white millet & yes finches do eat it but from my experience it's the last seed of choice for the finches I raise. Bet your mom's going to love them ..

I agree with Jan...I believe the comment was made to you out of concern for a single lone bird. One bird is fine if you interact and play with it often or it is a shoulder bird but if not two is better...I agree als ~ your mom will be thrilled with them, they are so much fun to watch.

I am sorry that you feel offended by my post, but it was not intended that way at all. I was just trying to give advice, since you didn't know about what seeds parakeets require, I thought you didn't know about their other needs either.

I've come across too many people and sites who suggest that parakeets are perfectly fine in solitary single cages. Even some people who say finches require big cages say in the same sentence that this doesn't apply for parakeets... I'm glad that you will get your mother 2 of them! From your post it wasn't clear at all and - sorry I'm not a mind reader...

Your mom will enjoy them, I'm sure.

Happy Mothers Day!

Ursula wrote:I am sorry that you feel offended by my post, but it was not intended that way at all. I was just trying to give advice, since you didn't know about what seeds parakeets require, I thought you didn't know about their other needs either.

I've come across too many people and sites who suggest that parakeets are perfectly fine in solitary single cages. Even some people who say finches require big cages say in the same sentence that this doesn't apply for parakeets... I'm glad that you will get your mother 2 of them! From your post it wasn't clear at all and - sorry I'm not a mind reader...

Your mom will enjoy them, I'm sure.

Happy Mothers Day!

Actually, I DO know what seeds parakeets require... What I didn't know, however, was that seed size is such a huge deal, according to you only so far. But, thank you, I suppose. lol

FinchLover78 wrote:

Ursula wrote:I am sorry that you feel offended by my post, but it was not intended that way at all. I was just trying to give advice, since you didn't know about what seeds parakeets require, I thought you didn't know about their other needs either.

I've come across too many people and sites who suggest that parakeets are perfectly fine in solitary single cages. Even some people who say finches require big cages say in the same sentence that this doesn't apply for parakeets... I'm glad that you will get your mother 2 of them! From your post it wasn't clear at all and - sorry I'm not a mind reader...

Your mom will enjoy them, I'm sure.

Happy Mothers Day!

Actually, I DO know what seeds parakeets require... What I didn't know, however, was that seed size is such a huge deal, according to you only so far. But, thank you, I suppose. lol

If you look at the contents of the seed mixes you'll see that they are different. Some of it is the same, such as millet etc., and I see my budgies eat finch seed and my finches eat budgie seed. But they do have seed types like safflower etc that the finches don't have because they are too big. I'm not saying that you'd harm your budgies feeding them finch seed, but I would definitely not do it exclusively. Of course the best thing would be to go to a budgie forum and ask them...

FinchLover78 wrote:

Ursula wrote:I am sorry that you feel offended by my post, but it was not intended that way at all. I was just trying to give advice, since you didn't know about what seeds parakeets require, I thought you didn't know about their other needs either.

I've come across too many people and sites who suggest that parakeets are perfectly fine in solitary single cages. Even some people who say finches require big cages say in the same sentence that this doesn't apply for parakeets... I'm glad that you will get your mother 2 of them! From your post it wasn't clear at all and - sorry I'm not a mind reader...

Your mom will enjoy them, I'm sure.

Happy Mothers Day!

Actually, I DO know what seeds parakeets require... What I didn't know, however, was that seed size is such a huge deal, according to you only so far. But, thank you, I suppose. lol

Seed size does matter, and not just according to Ursula. If you get offended by the type of reply that she gave you, I'd hate to see what would happen if you got off this forum and onto one where people are actually harsh. This is about the nicest, "gentlest" pet forum I've ever been on.

I hope your mom likes her parakeets! They're such fun little birds.