Egg food for birds: when to feed it and which one to choose?
Egg food is a protein-rich supplementary feed to reserve for periods of increased need: breeding, raising chicks, moulting and cold snaps. Outside those periods, one to two teaspoons per week is plenty; feeding it daily to a resting bird encourages metabolic overload and excess weight.
What exactly is egg food for?
Made from dried egg, biscuit, oils and vitamins, it delivers 14 to 22% highly digestible animal protein. It is the equivalent of the insects birds would eat in the wild in spring. It complements the base ration described in our budgie and canary diet guide, without ever replacing it.
When should you feed it, and how much?
- Breeding and chick rearing: every day, freely available to the feeding parents.
- Moulting: 3 to 4 times a week, one teaspoon per bird.
- Winter in an outdoor aviary: 2 to 3 times a week to support thermoregulation.
- Maintenance: once a week at most, as a training treat.
- Always remove leftovers: discard uneaten moist egg food after 3 to 4 hours, especially in summer.
Dry, moist or homemade: which to choose?
Dry egg food keeps well and suits budgies; the moist type (rich and soft) is the favourite for breeding canaries; the homemade version (mashed hard-boiled egg with its oven-dried shell, plus a little couscous) is unbeatable for freshness but keeps only a few hours. Budget-wise, expect 4 to 12 € per kilo depending on the range; a 500 g tub lasts several months outside the breeding season. See our comparisons in the bird food category.
Are there any contraindications?
Yes. In a single, sedentary bird, daily egg food can trigger chronic egg-laying in hens and promote obesity. If your budgie lays non-stop or has a fragile liver (get a check-up with an avian vet), egg food must be sharply limited. During a difficult moult, pair it instead with a good mineral supplement and regular baths.
Frequently asked questions
Can you give egg food to a cockatiel?
Yes, during the same periods as for a budgie. Choose an egg food made for larger parakeets, which is less sweet than canary recipes.
Does egg food replace pellets?
No. It is a seasonal supplement. The base remains a quality seed mix or, better still, pellets suited to the species.
My egg food has hardened in the tub — is it still good?
If it has absorbed moisture, throw it out: risk of invisible mould. Always keep the tub sealed, dry and away from light.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Birds universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.