Bird Food & Nutrition Calculator: Daily Grams & Diet Ratio

“How much should I feed my bird?” is one of the most common questions new owners ask.¹

In the wild, birds spend 80% of their day foraging for food. In captivity, a bowl full of seeds is often gone in 20 minutes, leaving them bored and prone to overeating.

Our Bird Food & Nutrition Calculator helps you determine exactly how many grams of food your bird needs per day to maintain a healthy weight, while breaking that amount down into a scientifically balanced ratio of pellets, vegetables, and treats.

The “Seed Junkie” Problem

For decades, pet stores sold “Parrot Mix” consisting almost entirely of sunflower seeds and peanuts. We now know this is dangerous.

• The Fat Trap: Seeds are high in fat and low in Vitamin A and Calcium. A seed-only diet is nutritionally equivalent to a human eating fast food for every meal.
• The Consequence: This leads to Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis), the number one cause of premature death in pet birds.

The 60/30/10 Rule: A Balanced Diet

Our calculator uses the “60/30/10” ratio, which is widely recommended by avian veterinarians for most companion parrots.

1. Pellets (60%)

• What they are: Formulated kibble that contains every vitamin your bird needs in every bite.²
• Why they matter: Unlike seed mixes, a bird cannot “pick out” the parts they like and ignore the healthy stuff. This prevents malnutrition.

2. Fresh Vegetables (30%)

• What to feed: Dark leafy greens (kale, spinach), peppers (birds are immune to the heat!), carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
• Avoid: Avocado, onion, and chocolate, which are toxic.³

3. Seeds & Treats (10%)

• The role of seeds: Seeds are not “bad,” they are just “dessert.” Use them as high-value rewards for training or place them in foraging toys to make your bird work for them.

Adjusting Diet for Life Stages

A bird’s nutritional needs change drastically as they age. A high-energy diet that is perfect for a baby bird can cause obesity in a senior.

• Babies & Adolescents: Growing birds have high metabolic rates and may need slightly more fat/protein.
• Seniors: Older birds are less active. If you aren’t sure if your bird counts as a “Senior,” use our Bird Years to Human Years Calculator to check their life stage. If they are older, you may need to restrict nuts and fatty seeds to protect their liver.

Nutrition for Breeding

If you are planning to breed your birds, the rules change.

• Calcium: Hens need a massive calcium boost to form eggshells.⁴
• Soft Food: Parents need soft, easily digestible food (like egg food or soaked pellets) to regurgitate for their chicks.⁵
• Planning: If you are currently expecting a clutch, you can track the arrival of the new chicks with our Egg Incubation Calculator.

How to Weigh Your Bird Accurately

To use this calculator, you need your bird’s weight in grams.

1. Get a Scale: A standard digital kitchen scale works perfectly.
2. Use a Perch: Place a T-stand on the scale and press “Tare” (Zero) to subtract the stand’s weight.
3. Timing: Weigh your bird first thing in the morning, after their morning poop but before breakfast. This is their “Empty Weight.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed my bird table scraps?

Yes, in moderation! Birds can eat small amounts of plain cooked pasta, rice, or egg.⁶ However, avoid anything with salt, oil, or sugar. Humans can process high salt levels; birds cannot—it can cause kidney failure.

My bird refuses to eat pellets. What do I do?

Diet conversion takes time. Never switch “cold turkey,” as a bird can starve itself to death rather than eat food it doesn’t recognize.

• Method: Mix the pellets with their seeds, slowly reducing the seeds over 4-6 weeks.⁷
• Check Housing: Sometimes inactivity causes low appetite. Ensure they have enough room to exercise by checking our Bird Cage Size Calculator.

How often should I change the water?

Daily! Birds often dunk their food (souping) or poop in their water.⁸ Bacteria grows rapidly in these conditions, so fresh water every morning is non-negotiable.