Answer

Thanks for the additional info - and please understand you're not the only person out there who believes the pet store product packaging, internet hype and unfortunately, recommendations from clerks about vitamins or a host of other things sold for birds.

Without the controls that human products have - pet items can claim just about anything and get away with it. The truth is that none of those things make any significant difference whatsoever in a bird's diet. There has never been a reputable, published medical, scientific or research study that shows otherwise.

However, there have been repeated indications that additives to water cause birds to drink less and may contribute to a persistent state of dehydration, at the very least. In turn, liver and kidney damage can occur over time.

Also, if the water isn't changed every couple of hours, these additives are fertile growing grounds for bacteria. In a strong, healthy bird with good immune system - there probably won't be any complications, but if a bird is suffering from something that compromises the immune system even a little bit - there's a high chance of even worse complications when they're drinking this water.

All a bird needs is a good diet.

Which leads us to the seeds. You might be really surprised to learn that a budgie/parakeet's diet shouldn't have more than about 15-20% total seeds.

It’s generally recommended that most of today’s companion birds have a predominantly pelleted diet. Pellets have been continually updated since being introduced to the market years ago and today’s formulas are better than ever.

Supplementing this diet with fresh foods every day is ideal and many owners find they can re-introduce seeds - in limited amounts (perhaps once or twice a week) without the bird refusing the pellets overall.

Whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, fruits and legumes. Include the colors orange, yellow , green, plus reds too! Think sweet potatoes/yams, squash, melons, oranges, peas, chard, beets and others.

Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat couscous and natural, whole grain pastas are great choices.

Limit fats, especially the kind from animals. Good fats are most plant fats like soy, olive and canola oils. No fried anything

Another thing you can try is all natural, human baby food. Stick to the orange colors.

They can be mixed with tiny pasta or rice, whole grain bread or toast - remember, be more creative than the bird is stubborn.

Even though this is put out by a cockatiel site, it’s applicable to your budgies/parakeets

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/nutrition/diet.html

cites feeding both seed and pellets, but only after weaning the bird from a mostly seed diet.

http://www.letstalkbirds.com/cockatiels.htm

Here is more on ideal nutritional needs:

The American Cockatiel Society (not just for ‘tiels, it’s for all hookbills) http://www.acstiels.com/Articles/BasicCare/cockatie.htm

The Bird Care Library at Harmony Animal Hospital

http://www.petvets.com/petcare/birds.html#nutrition

For some recipes to make that both humans and birds can enjoy, check the bottom of this page www.4AnimalCare/birds

Keeping your bird happy, healthy and clean is pretty easy. Most importantly is always make sure the temp is at least 70 degrees and there are no drafts.

For smaller birds, rinsing some big leaves of lettuce, kale or the like and clipping them inside the cage gives them opportunity to not only bathe by rubbing up against the wet leaves, but they can nibble some excellent food too.

A shallow bowl of clean water placed on the cage floor may be ignored for days or even weeks, but then one day used enthusiastically. Just be sure to always, always make sure this is fresh, clean water and change it the moment you notice any droppings in it. Otherwise it could be a potential health hazard.

Be sure the bowl isn’t deeper than to the tops of your bird’s legs while they’re standing.

Taking your bird into the shower with you is another option they tend to enjoy. How you start them out is very important though. Be sure they don’t get frightened and don’t soak them or even get them wet to begin with. The hot steamy air will be fine.

Use a shower perch, available at many pet stores or online to keep them out of the direct stream of water and safely on the opposite wall. Be careful about the soap you use while the bird is in there with you. I prefer baby soap and shampoo for these times just in case any splashes.

Eventually you’ll be able to recognize when your bird’s joining in. Usually they will slightly spread their wings and put their head down a bit, almost like getting ready to fly or dive in.

Gently let the water spray over them and stop if you notice any fear or panic.

Another method that is pleasant for birds is a gentle spritz from a water bottle on the “mist” setting, like a plant mister.

Start slowly, just spritz them from a decent distance, a couple feet away. As you spritz, use a soft, encouraging voice and every time you spritz, use this voice so they know you’re not angry or disciplining them.

The strangest thing that many owners report is that if they have a vacuum cleaner running while doing this, the bird almost automatically starts participating. Even birds that are afraid of vacuum cleaners. In these cases I’d run the vacuum in another room or the closet rather than in front of the bird - no matter what, you don’t want their shower time to be frightening.

Some birds enjoy showers or mistings more than baths, but until you know for sure, keep trying.

You are obviously trying very hard to do the right things for your birds and I commend you for this -- they are very lucky birds