Top 5 Soft Food For Cockatiel & Budgies: Recipes

Soft Food For Cockatiels is soft, easy to consume, and digest. Naturally, wild cockatiels hunt for insects to complete their protein requirement, so to compensate for their protein needs, eggs are added to their diet. Earlier, cockatiel soft food was called Egg Food. A portion of good Soft Food For Cockatiel should contain all the necessary nutrients and fiber-like Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins, and Calcium.

Calcium and Protein are important nutrients for the breeding of cockatiel. For the absorption of calcium, vitamin 3 is important. Carbohydrates and Fats are required for cockatiels to provide energy to every part of their body. Vegetables, fruits, grains, and lentils are rich in carbs. 

A well-balanced diet will determine whether carbs are good or bad for your cockatiel. On the other hand, a poor diet will reduce the life span of cockatiel, fertility, and poor health. Another vital nutrient for birds is Protein which can be obtained from sprouts, soya beans, and beans. 

But excess Protein can damage the liver as it is stored in the liver. A cockatiel cannot digest dairy products, so do not feed any dairy products. 30% of the cockatiel diet should be soft food. If you only provide your cockatiel seeds, they will become obese and deficient in nutrients.

So, here is the list of the top 5 soft food for cockatiel:

1. The Egg Food

The Egg food is a combination of egg white and boiled rice. The egg used should be of hen, and rice can be of any variation. One egg will give 13g of protein and 5% calcium to your cockatiel, And boiled rice will provide about 28g of Carbohydrates and 1% calcium. 

This recipe is high in protein and calcium, which are best for female cockatiel breeding. In summer, you should avoid this recipient as it is high in heat. You can give it once a week.

Ingredients:

👉 1 Egg

👉 1/2 cup rice

Method:

• Boil the egg for 5min in a container.
• Side by boiling rice for 10-15min.
• After 15 min, check whether the rice is soft.
• After everything is cooked, separate the eggshell and yoke.
• Crush egg white with your palm.
• Mix egg white and rice
• Serve it in a bird bowl

2. Pulses Mixture

Pulses are high in protein and vitamins and are added into their for breeding and high fertility rate. Pulses include chickpeas, kidney beans, peas, peanuts, green gram, wheat, and lentils. Nutritional values for every pulse are different. 

But chickpeas and lentils have a high percentage of protein. Vitamin b6 is required to break down protein to transport amino acids in the bloodstream.

Ingredients:

👉Chickpeas

👉Peanuts

👉Kidney beans

👉Green gram

👉Wheat

Method:

• Take all pulses in a bowl.
• Wash all the pulses in freshwater 2-3 times.
• Soak all pulses in water for 24-48 hrs.
• Check all pulses are soft.
• Serve it to your birds.

3. Mix Veggies Meal

Vegetables are high in nutrition and contain high water content. It includes cucumber, carrot, cauliflower, tomato, pumpkin, beans, and green peas. Cockatiel loves crunchiness, and keeps them rehydrated during summer. 

Vegetables also help them with digestion as it is high in fiber. Other ingredients we are using are rice and quinoa. They are rich in carbohydrates and are one of the favourites for cockatiel.

Ingredients:

👉Vegetables(Tomato, cucumber, green peas, carrot, cauliflower)

👉Rice

👉Quinoa

Method:

• Wash all the veggies with turmeric powder.
• Chop all the vegetables fine.
• Cook rice and quinoa for 10 -15min.
• Let them cool.
• Mix veggies, rice, and quinoa.
• Serve it to your bird.

4. Green Meal

Coriander leaves, spinach, lea lettuce, watercress, kale, and mint are rich in iron and calcium.

People may give cabbage as a leafy vegetable for their birds, But cabbage is toxic for your birds. Green vegetables should be provided with vegetables or rice mix. 

Leafy vegetables are exposed to pesticides. Wash them thoroughly before feeding them to your birds.

Ingredients:

👉Leafy Vegetables(coriander, spinach, watercress)

👉Vegetable(Green peas, tomato , carrot)

Method:

• Wash all leafy vegetables properly 2-3 times.
• Chop all leaves and vegetables.
• Mix all veggies.
• Add drop 2-3 drops of multivitamins(optional).
• Serve it to your bird.

5. Fruits and Nuts

Fruits are rich in water content and minerals, But it is recommended that they should not be the majority of the diet. They are high in sugar and can make your bird fat. Birds can be given fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and figs. 

Birds should avoid citrus fruits. And nuts are high in calcium and fats. Nuts like pumpkin seed, soaked almond, and cashew can be given to your birds.

Ingredient:

👉Fruits(apple, banana, pear)

👉Nuts(almond, pumpkin seed)

Method:

• Wash fruits properly
• Chop fruits with big pieces
• Crush dry fruits
• Mix fruits and nuts
• Serve it to your bird

Related Read: Best seeds for cockatiel Top 5 Seeds For Cockatiel

Conclusion

In conclusion, feeding soft food to cockatiels can be a useful supplement to their diet because it can give them a range of nutrients while making digestion easier. It should not, however, be the primary component of their diet and should be consumed in moderation to avoid obesity and other health problems. 

As a result, it is critical to speak with a veterinarian or avian expert to identify the optimum soft and hard diet mix for your cockatiel's needs.

FAQ

What Is The Best Food For A Cockatiel?

A cockatiel's food should consist of various seeds, pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and occasional treats like millet sprays. To ensure that all of their nutritional demands are covered, it is critical to give a diversified diet.

Can We Give Boiled Rice To Cockatiel?

Yes, you can give boiled rice to a cockatiel as part of their diet. However, it should be delivered in moderation, not as a staple food.