Ask Lafeber

Is it OK to give young budgies “Senior Bird Nutri-berries”

Hello, I have several budgies, two java finches and a lovebird, and I live in Japan.
Recently, a shop in Japan began selling “senior bird nutri-berries”.
Since my birds already like avi-cakes, and what lafeber says about senior bird nutri-berries sounds very promising, I’m thinking about purchasing senior bird nutri-berries for my birds.

However, the oldest bird in my flock is 3-year-old female budgies, and I don’t think they are senior birds, not yet.
So, my question is whether it is good for me to give my young birds “senior bird nutri-berries”. Is the product good for young birds, too? Isn’t there anything that’s not good for young birds, like it contains too much calorie, or anything?

Thank you.

Hello Hiro,

Since the birds are still young, you can offer them a few Senior Bird Nutri-Berries as a supplement to their Avi-Cakes, as long as the Avi-Cakes are still their main diet.

Please read this answer from out Vet as to when you can offer the Senior Berries as the main diet:

While budgies can live till about 10-15 years, there are many in the USA that develop cancer between the 3-5 year old range. To enhance there immune system, the balanced omega fatty acids are important along with appropriate levels of vitamin A and balanced amino acids. That is all found in the Avi-Cakes and the NutriBerries. However, as birds age, they need other anti-inflammatories to reduced arthritis and to enhance the immune system. That is where the Senior NutriBerries come in. I would think that you would want to gradually change to those at about the age of 5 in your budgies. Those Senior Berries have milk thistle, dandelion and ginger for liver health and along with the glucosamine and chondroitin, help reduce arthritis. They are also balanced for the omega fatty acids to keep your budgie healthy.

Hope this helps for you to decide.
Susan Orosz PhD, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ECZM (Avian)