Can Budgies Eat Honey?

[countyroad1330]

I was thinking about dipping a millet spray in honey and rolling it through my budgie's (parakeet) molting seeds. I've heard people say its ok, but I wanted some more input.

 

[amyparrotflock]

yes they can. They sell honey sticks for the birds made by major manfacturers... don't see why your honey would be any different.

Since honey is very sweet and VERY sticky I would reccomend very little of it. sugar isn't good for the birds, and too much can make the budgies feathers sticky.

 

[cutiepieacres]

you can even dilute it with water so its not as thick then when you dip you will get a light coating of honey to stick the seed to.

 

[countyroad1330]

Ok great, thanks ya'll. I didn't know if the sticks in the store were any different. I'm planning on kind of painting it on, will probably try diluting it. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Honey is also a good quick energy boost if you have a bird that has been stressed or is exhausted from something. just a small dab on the tongue will help give them some quick energy to help recover.

 

[countyroad1330]

Well I lightly rubbed honey on the millett spray, and then rolled it in a little bit of his treat seed... And he won't touch it! He's usually crazy about millett. Guess he doesn't like change!

 

[amyparrotflock]

This is one of my favorite things to make for my guys, modified as needed(for the big guys I add nuts sometimes in the shell):


Mix seeds, crushed cheerios, crushed pellets, and honey together in a bowl. You can also add any fruits or veggies if you want. Put the mixture in mini-muffin trays and cook at 225 F for 45 minutes. Let it cool and give it to your "kids". They love it!

 

[thebritt]

Just curious - since honey can cause bacterial infection in humming birds, why is it ok for parrots and parakeets?

 

[silkiechicken]

If I remember right, honey could cause bacterial issues in humming birds b/c of people not changing/cleaning the feeders with honey/sugar in it, thus fostering bacterial growth that the birds consumed?

About parakeets and change... I know my two hate change. Move their toys around and they will sit there and avoid them for a few days till they deem them safe in their new position. Mine seem to prefer salty over sweet. Silly thing will lick my fingers after I eat chips or will even have the audacity to come over and lick a chip in my hands.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
I Googled "Feeding humming birds and honey" and found out that honey "rapidly ferments and breeds a deadly bacterium", and that the sugar in honey is not the sucrose used by humming birds. I would imagine that, if the honey fed to parakeets/parrots was changed often (daily), there wouldn't be time for the bacterium to develope? Also, hummers need immediately accessable energy, so the proper mixture is critical. It said "Honey is nothing like the sucrose found in flower nectar". That's what I found out, anyway. Maybe if the honey is not mixed with water in a water feeder it doesn't grow the bacterium?