Budgies and other members of the parrot family are popular pets but ideally should not be sold until they are fully weaned which is at about six weeks of age.
Until this age, parrotlets do not drink water but get the water they need from the food fed to them by their parents.
It is very important to understand about caring for your young birds and this will include giving them water.
When Do Baby Birds Start Drinking Water?
Until they are weaned, baby parrots do not need to drink water as they get all the water they need from the food they are given by their parents or in the special food formula that they are hand-fed by their breeder.
At this stage, baby birds still have weak stomachs and if they try to drink water directly they would not be able to correctly and would inhale it.
Parrotlets start to eat a little food when they are about four weeks old and at this stage they will start to reduce how much food they are taking from their parents or breeder.
Many breeders continue to feed their baby birds some formula until they see them actually drinking water independently.
In this way, they know that the little bird is keeping rehydrate.
Ideally, a parrotlet should not be sold until the breeder is sure that it is fully weaned and this is usually about a week after they have started drinking water on their own.
Can You Give Baby Parrots Water?
Fully weaned baby birds do need a supply of fresh clean water.
This is best supplied to them in a proper water dispenser as it is easy for baby birds to drown in a saucer of water.
The water should be changed daily and once a week the dispenser needs to be thoroughly cleaned
If you have concerns that the baby bird that you have bought is not fully weaned and want to try and give him some water this is not a good idea.
Trying to give a young bird water with a syringe or similar is dangerous as this could aspirate them.
Sadly, the only option is to return him to the breeder to care for him until he truly is weaned or for the breeder to teach you how to care for your very young bird.
Alternatively, you can take your bird to an Avian Vet who can give him a health check, teach you how to feed him and what the signs of dehydration are.
Do Baby Parrots Need To Drink Water?
Once a baby parrot has been weaned he does need to have easy access to a supply of fresh water.
His body is composed of 75% water, so he will need to drink water several times each day.
How much he drinks depends on his age, size and the weather.
Importantly, he can only live for a maximum of three days without water as he will die from dehydration.
How Much Water Do I Give My Baby Parrot?
Your baby bird will need a good supply of fresh water and a special water dispenser that you can fit on the side of his cage is ideal.
On average, birds drink about 5% of their body weight each day, but this will vary according to the weather.
Why Is Water Important To Baby Birds?
Baby birds of all kinds need to be well-hydrated as this helps them to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Being well-hydrated also ensures that the young bird can keep his body temperature well regulated.
Water also helps him to flush out the waste that their body has produced.
Like other birds, parrotlets also need water to keep their feathers clean and their beaks.
If baby birds do not have a supply of fresh, clean water they soon become dehydrated which impacts their digestive system first and then their kidneys and liver if the problem is not speedily resolved.
It is really important that the water in your baby bird’s cage is fresh and clean at all times as contaminated water will do him as much harm as no water.
Baby birds often wash their beaks in water and if it is in a small holder rather than a dispenser, they may even poop in it which is why it can get contaminated with bacteria so quickly.
Even if the water looks clean, it must be changed every day and during warmer weather it needs to be changed twice daily.
The water container should be thoroughly cleaned with warm soapy water every week.
Mineral water and treated tap water are both good for bids but not water from a well as it usually contains too many minerals.
Never give your pet bird water that has been supplemented with nutrients either.
Your baby bird will also need a very shallow dish in his cage for cleaning his feathers and this water must be changed daily in case he drinks any of it.
Most parrots like being misted with water at room temperature – especially during hot weather.
How To Get Your Baby Parrot To Drink Water
Check that the water you are giving your baby parrot is fresh and clean and in a suitable container with a firm footing.
Birds only like shallow water.
Make sure that it is next to a perch where he can sit to preen.
Sometimes, baby birds do not like the taste of the water so try swapping to bottled water to see if it makes a difference.
If your bird does not seem to be drinking water, check his droppings.
If they are wet when he has just dropped them that is good, but, if they are dry, try and give him some vegetables with high water content.
Vegetables that are good include spinach, carrot, beans, peas and broccoli – just a couple of teaspoons each day and see if this makes the difference.
If it does not, it is best to get your baby parrot checked out by an Avian Vet.
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