Can Budgies Eat Maize?

Hey, I got my parakeet a few days ago and have been having a great time with him so far. He's already calmed down quite a lot and isn't afraid of my hand anymore and loves when I read to him and chirps along with my reading. He's mainly been eating millet and seed. (That's all he ate at the Pet Store I got him from.)

I've been wanting to expand his diet and I grow maize. (Not sweetcorn) Can he eat raw maize? What about sprouted maize? I plan to get some more types of foods, but I have a lot of that available and was wondering if he'd be ok eating it.

Each region of the World has a wide cross-section seeds, grains and nuts available. In addition, Green veggies of different variations and at a lesser volume the balance of veggies available. Point is that there is likely a larger volume available offering that just what is at the Pet Store.

Target Human Grade for all that is available locally and remember to wash them well and dry.

Maize can be provided, but the volume required is high compared to other Veggies. Not sure if it is worth the effort to grow it unless you are planning it for other animals and Humans, which will likely force you to shift to 'sweet corn.' A Parrot moves 'stuff' through their digestive system far to quickly to gain any real value for eating Maize. It does make a nice filler, but that is about it.

Limit Sunflower seeds and peanuts from the diet.

Enjoy!

Thank you for the response. I already grow Maize because where I live people use it for a variety of purposes. (Some people pop it and eat it, but most of the time its for ceremonial or decorative purposes)

Do you have any tips on getting him to eat sprouts or other vegetables? He also seems to pick out specific seeds in the mix.

I only kept feeding him only seed because I figured that the move was hard enough on him that I should wait about a week before trying to start a new diet.

BuddhaTheBudgie said:

Thank you for the response. I already grow Maize because where I live people use it for a variety of purposes. (Some people pop it and eat it, but most of the time its for ceremonial or decorative purposes)

Do you have any tips on getting him to eat sprouts or other vegetables? He also seems to pick out specific seeds in the mix.

I only kept feeding him only seed because I figured that the move was hard enough on him that I should wait about a week before trying to start a new diet.

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The process of converting a Parrot to a new diet is to do it slowly. Begin by providing an increased cross-section of Human Grade Seeds, Grains, and Nuts and slowly remove the Sunflower seeds. With time, you will see you Parrot gain interest in the other provided dry food.

Consider separating the Greens (Veggies) from the other foods and providing them first thing in the morning. Then provide the dry foods mid day. Do Not Do This Until You have Convert Your Parrot Off Its Current Diet. The process is slow and can take years!

FYI: Your Parrot maybe more interested in it Popped!

Come back with more questions as they come-up!

SailBoat said:

Not sure if it is worth the effort to grow it unless you are planning it for other animals and Humans, which will likely force you to shift to 'sweet corn.'

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Well, can't other animals like poultry eat it?

As for humans, I've tried multiple times to grow heirloom colored corns in order to make my own tortillas in a range of colors (pretty much the only bread I eat is corn tortillas) but I was never successful. Heirlooms from the Southwest and Mexico do not do well in partial shade in New England. I could probably grow them here in Texas if I had a yard though.

gavagai said:

SailBoat said:

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Well, can't other animals like poultry eat it?

As for humans, I've tried multiple times to grow heirloom colored corns in order to make my own tortillas in a range of colors (pretty much the only bread I eat is corn tortillas) but I was never successful. Heirlooms from the Southwest and Mexico do not do well in partial shade in New England. I could probably grow them here in Texas if I had a yard though.

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Yes, they do! but remember it is an issue of volume and a chicken with a much large digestive system gets a bit more from the corn. But even chickens are feed more than just crushed corn. Its a great filler!

I'm not suggesting you feed it to parrots (though I've used unsalted, unbuttered popcorn as a treat; my Senegal in particular used to love it), just commenting that there are definitely uses (human and animal) for corn which isn't the super-sweet hybrids you'd eat off the cob.

Thank you all for your answers. I'll probably provide it popped as a treat for him occasionally.