Why

Pumpkin is a safe and nutritious vegetable for budgies, with its cooked flesh being rich in beta-carotene for vitamin A, supporting healthy eyes, skin, feathers and immunity, along with fibre and antioxidants. A real bonus is the seeds, which are a nutritious treat budgies enjoy, providing healthy fats, protein and minerals. Between the vitamin-rich flesh and the wholesome seeds, pumpkin is a versatile seasonal vegetable that offers genuine variety and enrichment when served plain and prepared properly.

How to feed it

Cook the flesh by steaming, boiling or baking until soft, plain with no butter, salt or seasoning, then cool it and offer a small piece or light mash. The seeds can be given raw or lightly dry-toasted with no salt, and are best cracked or chopped for a small beak. Remove uneaten cooked flesh within a couple of hours as it spoils quickly.

How much & how often

A small teaspoon of cooked pumpkin flesh a couple of times a week is ideal, with a few seeds offered occasionally as a treat. The seeds are richer in fat, so keep those to a small number.