African Lovebirds are small birds that are native to the African region. They generally eat various types of seeds as the central part of their diet.
In the wild, African lovebirds have a foraging instinct that matches the nutritional benefits and vitamins they need for their bodies. They do not eat seeds they do not need, even if they like them.
When African lovebirds are in captivity, this instinct is lost. Because they only eat what is provided by humans in their cages.
Breeders and hobbyists must provide a complete variety of seeds so that lovebirds can choose according to their preferences and nutritional and vitamin needs.
Many ready-to-use mixed seed products in the market are good because they have gone through research according to the species. For hobbyists who only have 1 - 5 lovebirds in the cage, it is highly recommended to buy it.
But a lovebird breeder with more than ten pairs of lovebirds will undoubtedly object to buying mixed seeds in ready-made packaging. Because the price is a little more expensive when compared to making your own mix.
Seed mix for African lovebirds
A seed mix suitable for African lovebirds should be well-balanced and nutritious to meet their dietary needs. While offering a variety of seeds is essential, it is equally important to supplement their diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.
In this article, I will provide the composition of a seed mix for lovebirds in the breeding, growth, and diet during the reproductive pause. I have only given an example of 10kg of each seed mix. To make more, you just need to multiply the base mix.
Here is an essential seed mix that you can use as a foundation:
Seed mix for African lovebirds breeding phase
The breeding phase counts from the time the lovebirds mate; in the breeding phase, the lovebirds only need staple food. So, the white millet composition should dominate, and the other seeds are just for variety so that the lovebirds don't get bored.
1,500 grams of yellow millet
500 grams of red millet
500 grams of black millet
300 grams of linseed
200 grams of canola seed
500 grams buckwheat
500 grams safflower
250 grams of wheat
500 grams of Haver
250 grams of sunflower seed
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10,000 Grams / 10KG
For those of you breeding lovebirds with a small solitary cage system, removing or reducing sunflower seeds to consider females becoming fatty and interfering with reproduction is essential.
Seed mix for African lovebird's growth phase
The growth phase starts when the lovebirds are no longer nurtured by the mother and start learning to fetch food until the lovebirds are sexually mature.
The need for protein, minerals, and vitamins is very high during this phase. So, the selection of seed mixes that contain a lot of protein, minerals, and vitamins dominates.
800 grams of yellow millet
1,000 grams of red millet
500 grams of black millet
500-gram lin seed
500 grams of canola seed
1,500 grams buckwheat
1,000 grams of safflower
500 grams of wheat
1,500 grams of Haver
700 grams of sunflower seed
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10,000 Grams / 10KG
Seed mix with the above composition can also be given to lovebirds raising chicks in the nest box to prevent stunting and malnutrition in the lovebirds.
Seed mix for African lovebird's resting phase
The resting phase begins after the lovebirds have finished the reproductive phase. Generally, breeders place the lovebirds in large cages for this resting period to stretch their muscles and relieve stress after a busy reproductive period.
This phase requires a lot of energy because they can fly in large enclosures; calcium and mineral requirements are also high because lovebirds begin to grow feathers after falling out for some nesting material and also to repair cells in the body.
Omega-3 supplements from sunflower, safflower, and buckwheat seeds will be added to the seed mix.
1,000 grams of yellow millet
1,000 grams of red millet
500-gram black millet
500-gram lin seed
500 grams of canola seed
1,000 grams of buckwheat
1,000 grams of safflower
500 grams of wheat
1,000 grams of Haver
1,000 grams of sunflower seed
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10,000 grams / 10KG
The African lovebird's seed mix is enough to fulfil the nutritional and vitamin needs of lovebirds from various phases.
As for nutritional and vitamin requirements that cannot be obtained from food sources, you can add supplements mixed in drinking water or lovebirds' favourite egg food.
Nutrient and vitamin content of various seeds for African lovebirds.
White millet for African lovebirds
White millet, or proso millet, is a nutritious grain rich in various nutrients. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown per 100 grams of raw, uncooked white millet:
- Protein: Approximately 11 grams
- Carbohydrates: About 73 grams
- Dietary Fiber: Around 4 grams
- Sugars: Minimal
- Fat: Approximately 4 grams
- Saturated Fat: About 1 gram
- Monounsaturated Fat: Around 2 grams
- Polyunsaturated Fat: About 1 gram
Vitamins:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Around 0.4 milligrams
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Approximately 0.2 milligrams
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): About 2.2 milligrams
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Around 1.5 milligrams
- Vitamin B6: Approximately 0.4 milligrams
- Folate: About 85 micrograms
Minerals:
- Iron: Around 3.9 milligrams
- Magnesium: Approximately 112 milligrams
- Phosphorus: About 285 milligrams
- Potassium: Around 195 milligrams
- Zinc: Approximately 1.7 milligrams
- Copper: About 0.3 milligrams
- Manganese: Around 1.6 milligrams
- Selenium: Approximately 8.2 micrograms
Yellow millet for African lovebirds
Yellow millet, or foxtail millet, is a cereal grain commonly consumed in various parts of the world. The nutritional content of yellow millet can vary slightly, but here is an approximate breakdown of nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams:
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 73.9 grams
- Dietary Fiber: About 6.7 grams
- Sugars: About 0.4 grams
- Protein: About 11 grams
- Fat: Approximately 4 grams
- Saturated Fat: About 0.7 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat: About 2.1 grams
- Polyunsaturated Fat: About 1.2 grams
Vitamins:
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): About 0.42 milligrams
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): About 0.15 milligrams
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): About 5.8 milligrams
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): About 1.2 milligrams
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): About 0.38 milligrams
- Folate (B9): About 24 micrograms
- Vitamin E: About 0.1 milligrams
Minerals:
- Calcium: About 8 milligrams
- Iron: About 2.8 milligrams
- Magnesium: About 37 milligrams
- Phosphorus: About 258 milligrams
- Potassium: About 195 milligrams
- Sodium: About 5 milligrams
- Zinc: About 1.4 milligrams
- Copper: About 0.3 milligrams
- Manganese: About 1.6 milligrams
- Selenium: About 8.7 micrograms
Red millet for African lovebirds
Red millet, finger millet or Ragi, is a nutritious grain rich in various nutrients. Here is an approximate nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams of raw red millet:
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 72 grams
- Protein: Roughly 7 grams
- Fat: About 1.5 grams
- Dietary Fiber: Around 3.5 grams
- Calcium: Approximately 350 mg
- Iron: Roughly 3.9 mg
- Magnesium: About 130 mg
- Phosphorus: Around 290 mg
- Potassium: Approximately 400 mg
- Zinc: Roughly 2.7 mg
- Copper: About 0.4 mg
- Manganese: Around 1.7 mg
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Approximately 0.33 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Roughly 0.11 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Around 1.2 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Approximately 0.42 mg
- Vitamin B6: Roughly 0.3 mg
- Folate (Vitamin B9): About 40 mcg
- Vitamin E: Around 0.7 mg
- Vitamin K: Approximately 0.9 mcg
Black millet for African lovebirds
Black millet, scientifically known as Pennisetum glaucum, is commonly consumed in various parts of the world. While specific nutrient and vitamin content can vary based on factors such as growing conditions and processing methods, here is a general overview of the nutrient and vitamin content of black millet per 100 grams:
- Calories: Around 378 kcal
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 73.9 grams
- Dietary Fiber: Roughly 8.5 grams
- Sugars: About 0.4 grams
- Protein: Around 11 grams
- Fat: Approximately 4.2 grams
- Saturated Fat: About 0.6 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat: Approximately 1.3 grams
- Polyunsaturated Fat: Roughly 1.9 grams
Vitamin Content (approximate values):
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Approximately 0.3 milligrams
- - Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Roughly 0.1 milligrams
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): About 4.7 milligrams
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Approximately 1.8 milligrams
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Roughly 0.4 milligrams
- Folate (Vitamin B9): Around 16 micrograms
- Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol): Approximately 0.8 milligrams
Mineral Content (approximate values):
- Calcium: Around 17 milligrams
- Iron: Approximately 2.8 milligrams
- Magnesium: Roughly 114 milligrams
- Phosphorus: About 285 milligrams
- Potassium: Approximately 195 milligrams
- Sodium: Roughly 5 milligrams
- Zinc: About 2.6 milligrams
Lin Seed / Flaxseeds for African lovebirds
Flaxseeds, or linseeds, are tiny, brown or golden-coloured seeds rich in nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Here is an approximate nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams of flaxseeds:
- Calories: 534 kcal
- Protein: 18.3 g
- Total Fat: 42.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 27.3 g (mainly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids)
- Carbohydrates: 28.9 g
- Dietary Fiber: 27.3 g
- Sugars: 1.6 g
Vitamins:
- Vitamin A: 0 IU
- Vitamin C: 0.6 mg
- Vitamin E: 0.3 mg
- Vitamin K: 4.3 µg
- Thiamine (B1): 1.6 mg
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.2 mg
- Niacin (B3): 3.1 mg
- Pantothenic Acid (B5): 0.4 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.5 mg
- Folate (B9): 87 µg
Minerals:
- Calcium: 255 mg
- Iron: 5.7 mg
- Magnesium: 392 mg
- Phosphorus: 642 mg
- Potassium: 813 mg
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Zinc: 4.3 mg
- Copper: 1.2 mg
- Manganese: 2.5 mg
- Selenium: 7.0 µg
Very important for African lovebirds fertility egg :
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Alpha-Linolenic Acid): 22,813 mg
- Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Linoleic Acid): 5,911 mg
Canola seed for African lovebirds
Canola seeds, derived from the rapeseed plant, are rich in various nutrients and provide several health benefits. Here is an approximate nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams of canola seeds:
- Protein: Approximately 18 g
- Fat: About 42 g
- Saturated fat: Approximately 4 g
- Monounsaturated fat: About 27 g
- Polyunsaturated fat: Around 10 g
- Trans fat: Virtually zero
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 12 g
- Dietary fibre: Approximately 7 g
- Sugars: About 0 g
Vitamins:
- Vitamin E: Approximately 19.3 mg (96% of the Daily Value)
- Vitamin K: About 71 mcg (89% of the Daily Value)
- Folate: Around 303 mcg (76% of the Daily Value)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Approximately 2.5 mg (12% of the Daily Value)
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): About 1.6 mg (16% of the Daily Value)
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Approximately 0.3 mg (15% of the Daily Value)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Around 0.1 mg (6% of the Daily Value)
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): About 0.4 mg (27% of the Daily Value)
Minerals:
- Calcium: Approximately 60 mg
- Iron: Around 4.2 mg
- Magnesium: About 350 mg
- Phosphorus: Approximately 828 mg
- Potassium: Around 825 mg
- Sodium: About 6 mg
- Zinc: Approximately 4.9 mg
- Manganese: About 1.6 mg
- Selenium: Around 63 mcg
Buckwheat for African lovebirds
Buckwheat is a nutritious whole grain that is often used in various dishes. Here's a general overview of the nutrient and vitamin content of raw buckwheat groats per 100 grams:
- Calories: 343 kcal
- Protein: 13.25 g
- Carbohydrates: 71.5 g
- Dietary Fiber: 10 g
- Sugars: 0.9 g
- Fat: 3.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.3 g
Minerals:
- Calcium: 18 mg
- Iron: 2.5 mg
- Magnesium: 231 mg
- Phosphorus: 347 mg
- Potassium: 460 mg
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Zinc: 2.2 mg
Vitamins:
- Vitamin C: 0 mg
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 5.5 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): 1 mg
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): 0.2 mg
- Folate (B9): 30 mcg
- Vitamin E: 0.6 mg
- Vitamin K: 1.6 mcg
Safflower for African lovebirds
Safflower seeds contain various nutrients and vitamins, whether raw or in oil form. Here's an approximate nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams of safflower seeds:
- Protein: Approximately 16-20 grams
- Fat: About 35-45 grams, predominantly unsaturated fats
- Carbohydrates: Around 25-30 grams
- Fiber: Roughly 5 grams
Vitamins:
- Vitamin E: Safflower oil is exceptionally high in vitamin E, with around 34 mg per 100 grams. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.
- Vitamin K: Safflower seeds also contain some vitamin K essential for blood clotting and bone health.
- Vitamin B Complex: Small amounts of B vitamins, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and folate (B9).
Minerals:
- Phosphorus: Important for bone health.
- Magnesium: Essential for various physiological functions.
- Potassium: Important for heart health and fluid balance.
- Calcium: Though smaller than other nutrients, it contributes to bone health.
Wheat for African lovebirds
The nutrient and vitamin content of wheat can vary depending on the specific type of wheat and whether it is refined or whole grain. Here is a general overview of the nutrient content per 100 grams of whole wheat:
- Protein: About 13.2 grams
- Carbohydrates: Around 71.2 grams
- Dietary Fiber: Roughly 12.2 grams
- Sugars: Approximately 0.4 grams
- Fat: About 2.5 grams
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 0.4 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat: Around 0.5 grams
- Polyunsaturated Fat: Approximately 1 gram
Vitamins:
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Around 0.4 milligrams
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Approximately 0.1 milligrams
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): About 6.3 milligrams
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Around 0.8 milligrams
- Vitamin B6: Approximately 0.3 milligrams
- Folate (Vitamin B9): About 38 micrograms
Minerals:
- Calcium: Approximately 34 milligrams
- Iron: Around 3.9 milligrams
- Magnesium: Approximately 138 milligrams
- Phosphorus: Around 346 milligrams
- Potassium: Approximately 366 milligrams
- Sodium: About 2 milligrams
- Zinc: Approximately 2.8 milligrams
Haver for African lovebirds
Haver is a nutritious whole grain and offers various essential nutrients. Here is the approximate nutrient and vitamin content per 100 grams of raw Haver:
- Protein: 16.9 g
- Fat: 6.9 g
- Saturated fat: 1.2 g
- Monounsaturated fat: 2.2 g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 2.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 66.3 g
- Dietary fibre: 10.6 g
- Sugars: 0.99 g
Vitamins:
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): 0.8 mg (53% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance, RDA)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 0.1 mg (7% of RDA)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): 0.9 mg (5% of RDA)
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): 1 mg (10% of RDA)
- Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg (6% of RDA)
- Folate (Vitamin B9): 56 mcg (14% of RDA)
Minerals:
- Calcium: 54 mg (5% of RDA)
- Iron: 4.7 mg (26% of RDA)
- Magnesium: 177 mg (44% of RDA)
- Phosphorus: 523 mg (52% of RDA)
- Potassium: 429 mg (12% of RDA)
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Zinc: 3.3 mg (22% of RDA)
- Manganese: 4.9 mg (245% of RDA)
Other Compounds:
- Beta-glucans: Oats are rich in beta-glucans, a type of soluble fibre known for its heart health benefits.