Our Vet's Advice on Aggression/Puberty/Diet

ShaunaR

Supporting Member
Jun 5, 2014
152
0
Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Pixie the White Bellied Caique
This thread may have been discussed to death previously but we received some information yesterday that was new to us so thought I would share.

Our Vet recommended taking care while our Caique is young not to do certain things so as to avoid any unpleasant "nesting" behaviors/aggression later at puberty time. She was incredibly opinionated and although I will post her advice here I am not sure how I feel about some of the stuff she said so no flames for me please lol!

1. Be careful with providing a large "bed" of any kind for your bird to sleep in. During sexual maturity she may begin to identify that bed as a nest and start guarding behavior as a natural progression to keeping any future babies safe.

2. She did not recommend the daily use of home made "mash" type foods made with whole foods. The reason for this she said was that with a diet rich in mashed up foods encourages mating behavior which leads to possessiveness, cage guarding, preference of one family member over another, etc. as the bird is moved to mate with plenty of mushy food for babies around as the trigger.

3. She discouraged us from feeding certain fruits and veggies high in sugar/starch such as peas, corn, oranges, grapes apples, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and squashes. She said these foods should be fed on a "treat" basis and not daily as they are often preferred by birds to the point of excluding healthier options when mixed with other foods such as in a chop.

4. No peanuts, ever. This was due to the fact that there is a mold or bacteria found in the shells that can be fatal if transferred to a bird's lungs.

5. Fruits should comprise 5% of the bird's diet as too much sugar content again makes them exclude more healthy options when mixed in a chop.

6. She told us not to carry our bird around the house with us on our shoulder all of the time and instead to also encourage her to perch at least some of the time in an area here she can still see and interact with us. She said that perching on people exclusively encourages "mating" attachment and may facilitate the bird rejecting or becoming more aggressive towards anyone in the home she views as a non-mate.

7. Depending on the day, pellets should comprise 50-85% of the diet with no seed mixes or mixes containing seeds and pellets such as Tropimix which is what we were feeding. She said these mixes were there is a variety of seeds mixed with pellets encourage a bird to selectively eat what they like such as in most cases the seeds, and if you are changing out the food daily, they can end up eating only seeds which of course isn't optimal. Seeds and nuts should be fed on a "treat" basis only. The only commercial food she advocated using was Harrison's(any (any type) with Nutriberries for a treat...period.

Now I do know that so far our bird has absolutely no behavior issues and we have broken most if not all of these rules. The diet we feed is very diverse and Pixie's health is excellent. I think I will adopt some of this stuff and certainly will adjust her fruit intake because I can see we feed probably too much fruit. She said Harrison's was the only food on the market that can correct rising liver enzymes and a whole host of health conditions, once again, in her experience. Whether or not you agree with all of what she said, she has been the only Avian Vet we have seen and we were blown away with the rationale she had at the ready for everything she recommended. She writes a local Q&A column for a local Parrot Association so obviously must have impressed someone to get that gig.
I'll look forward to see what long time parrot owners have to say about all of this!!
 

LaurenB

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Oct 28, 2014
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Pennsylvania
Parrots
Green Cheek Conure - Tiki //
Sun Conure - Nacho //
Indian Ringnecks - Kermit and Beaker
I'm not sure about the rest of the suggestions, but I definitely agree with number 1 from my own personal experience.

I gave my GCC a snuggle hut a few weeks after she moved in with me. In a matter of days she turned into an aggressive monster. She would attack me, viciously, so that I actually had to leave the room at one point because she kept flying and attacking! She only like my husband, and would behave a little "frisky" with him.

My AV also suggested removing the snuggle hut, as it can be viewed as a "nest". So I was desperate and followed her advice and in a matter of 2 days she made a complete 180. She's now mama's snuggly baby. I made the same suggestion to someone else who was experiencing a similar situation. She removed the coconut hut and it made a tremendous difference to her bird, too.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Overall it sounds like good advice. Not sure I agree on #3 & 5 (except at the height of hormonal behavior when sugar intake can cause some issues), as most parrots eat a fruit-heavy diet in nature. Also not in agreement at all with #7. There are no pellet trees in the jungle, and they aren't part of a parrots natural diet (nor are most of their ingredients in most brands, most of which contain GMO corn, soy and/or wheat with synthetic vitamins).

Of course, I take everything with a grain of salt and do my own research into anything anyone tells me so I can make my own informed decisions. I hope you will spend some time fact checking and doing your own research into your vets opinions:)
 

ZephyrFly

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Sep 21, 2014
686
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UK
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Pazu - Green Cheek Conure - Hatch Date ~27 September 2014~
In respects to #7, I've always thought it was a matter of bird size. The smaller the bird the less pellet you should sub their diet with (25%-50%) but large birds can tolerate more (up to 65%).
To each their own though?
 

labell

New member
Feb 17, 2014
1,988
5
East
I will weigh in on peanuts which I never, ever give any of my parrots too high a risk for fungus!
 

Pinkbirdy

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Feb 26, 2013
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Clifton Springs Newyork
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macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
Absolutely not [poor bird] . That's not going to happen at my house . Has this vet owned birds for years and years ? I have 22 birds [and do follow standard practices]. If and when issues come up [we adjust to them] as a family. Your the "Bird Parent" you do whats best for your bird .
 

Dinosrawr

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Aug 15, 2013
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Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
Seems like pretty good advice, though it is only general. I don't give my birds lots of fruit simply because they will definitely choose it over other things, so I use it as the natural sweetener (along with corns and peas) in my chops. I like high veggie diets. I think fruit would be an issue with a bird that ate a high amount of sugar in general from their pellets and didn't fly or exercise, but it's certainly not a demon. It's a lot better to have a bird eating fresh fruits rather than just pellets or seeds day in and day out.

My birds only get 3 tsp of pellets a day, and they rarely even finish that. They eat all their chop in the morning, and the pellets act as a vitamin supplement at night. And I agree - snuggle huts can definitely promote hormonal behaviour in birds that are sexually mature.

But honestly, it's all so very individual. Some birds can handle things better than others, some really love rope/cotton but never ingest it, whereas others face crop impaction soon after being introduced to them because they're major chewers. Some hate veggies and will only eat fruit, and others will stick their nose up at pellets and choose fresh over them any day. There isn't really a hard and fast rule to caring for a bird, just general guidelines to consider. I'd say your vet seems very knowledgable though, which is great.
 

Kyoto

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Halifax, NS, Canada
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Kyoto (AKA Kyo)-Green Cheek Conure
Charlie - Canary
Tommy - Budgie
Sunny - budgie
My vet gave similar advice except on the happy hut and feeding. What he suggested I do is simply only give the bird the happy hut at night time, so that it isn't a constant thing in the cage. I haven't had any aggressive behaviour doing this at all.

My vet recommended mostly pellets as well, but also really stressed the importance of fresh food to me. Feed it every day he said, and serve fruit in smaller quantities but lots of veggies are a good thing.

It's so interesting to hear the difference in vet opinions!
 

Delfin

Banned
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Jan 26, 2014
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The mature bird has a breeding mode imprinted in their genes. But so does a juvenile bird and when a juvenile bird is stimulated with the same triggers for breeding, this can cause hormonal behaviours that are unwanted.

1, 2, 3 & 6 Agree

The causes for unwanted hormonal behaviour can be foods high in carbohydrates and/or sugars, hidden dark corners or spots, being given boxes or happy huts to play in, newspaper to shred, fed mushy and/or cooked foods, in the light for too long, not going to bed at appropriate times suitable for parrots, snuggling and patting anywhere below the neck line and rubbing the beak. Eliminate all of these and it should make it easier to prevent unwanted hormonal behaviour. It is also a lot easier for them.

4 Agree

No peanuts. Too high risk. These are not part of a wild birds diet due to fact that peanuts grow underground. There is a mould, fungus or bacteria found in the shells and when transferred to a bird's lungs. It's fatal.

5 half Agree

wild birds eat a lot more than 5% of fruit in their diet. But because they fly long distances they will burn-off the sugars from the fruit. But companion birds don't fly such long distances and wouldn't burn-off the sugars if they consumed the same amount of fruit, they would most likely became overweight.

7 Dis-agree

I don't feed my birds pellets. Delfin and Mulawa just don't eat them. They are both healthy and happy birds.




 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
i agree with much of what she's says. Some of it for different reasons but most is sound advice. i think you should realize she (as a AV) has a vested interest in recommending Harrison pellets. i'm sure they are very good (and expensive) pellets but they are only available through a vet. The Vet's mark up is protected because harrison will only sell through the Vet's distributor. no chance a pet store can get them and sell them cheaper. Now, if they where available on the open market and a vet recommended them, that would be a different story. Ever wonder why so many AV's recommend Harrisons,they are the only ones selling them! I'm sorry but that throws up a red flag in my opinion.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
1. Be careful with providing a large "bed" of any kind for your bird to sleep in. During sexual maturity she may begin to identify that bed as a nest and start guarding behavior as a natural progression to keeping any future babies safe.

IT CAN HAPPEN, DOESN'T MEAN IT WILL. THAT'S AS MUCH A SOCIALIZATION ISSUE AS ANYTHING.

2. She did not recommend the daily use of home made "mash" type foods made with whole foods. The reason for this she said was that with a diet rich in mashed up foods encourages mating behavior which leads to possessiveness, cage guarding, preference of one family member over another, etc. as the bird is moved to mate with plenty of mushy food for babies around as the trigger.

THAT IS ABSOLUTE PURE NONSENSE, AND BAD ADVICE, BECAUSE FRESH IS HEALTHIER FOR THEM. SINCE WHEN DOES MASH CAUSE MATE AGGRESSION?! ONLY REAL ADVICE I STRONGLY DISAGREE ON.

3. She discouraged us from feeding certain fruits and veggies high in sugar/starch such as peas, corn, oranges, grapes apples, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and squashes. She said these foods should be fed on a "treat" basis and not daily as they are often preferred by birds to the point of excluding healthier options when mixed with other foods such as in a chop.

THIS IS BASICALLY CORRECT. AGAIN, YOU FEED THIS TO THEM IN MODERATION. THEY GET XX AMOUNT PER DAY, AND WHEN IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE. MINE GET A TREAT CUP.

4. No peanuts, ever. This was due to the fact that there is a mold or bacteria found in the shells that can be fatal if transferred to a bird's lungs.

THERE IS TRUTH TO THIS. I DO FEED MINE 2 HUMAN GRADE PEANUTS EACH PER DAY. HAVE BEEN DOING THIS ALL THEIR LIVES, AND NO ONE'S DIED FROM IT.

I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING OTHER THAN HUMAN GRADE PEANUTS. (i.e. Unsalted roasted peanuts from the grocery store, designed for human consumption. No pet food quality peanuts!)

IT IS TRUE. I SUPPOSE IT STILL COULD HAPPEN. PERSONAL DECISION.

5. Fruits should comprise 5% of the bird's diet as too much sugar content again makes them exclude more healthy options when mixed in a chop.

5-10% PROBABLY CORRECT. SOUNDS RIGHT. THESE ARE TREATS, NOT STAPLES...

6. She told us not to carry our bird around the house with us on our shoulder all of the time and instead to also encourage her to perch at least some of the time in an area here she can still see and interact with us. She said that perching on people exclusively encourages "mating" attachment and may facilitate the bird rejecting or becoming more aggressive towards anyone in the home she views as a non-mate.

GENERALIZATION. SOME DEGREE OF TRUTH TO IT, BUT NOT THE WHOLE TRUTH...

MATE AGGRESSION IS A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN THAT. BOTTOM LINE, YOU WANT TO BE PARENT BIRDS, AND TEACHERS, NOT MATES... BIRDS NEED TO BE TAUGHT TO SELF ENTERTAIN. THEY ALSO NEED TO LEARN NOT TO BITE OR BECOME AGGRESSIVE. IT ISN'T TOLERATED!!! NO BITING MEANS NO BITING... AND AGAIN, THIS GOES BACK TO SOCIALIZATION.

IF SHOULDERING A BIRD MAKES THEM MATE AGGRESSIVE, THEN HOW COME MAGGIE, WHO PRACTICALLY LIVES ON MY SHOULDER, AND IS A LARGE MACAW/PAIR BOND BIRD, WILL GO TO ANYONE WITHOUT BITING?! BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN SOCIALIZED AND TRAINED NOT TO BITE - THAT'S WHY...

DO THAT, AND THE BIRD CAN BE TRUSTED ON YOUR SHOULDER. DON'T DO THAT, THEN THE BEHAVIORS GET WORSE WHEN THEY ARE PUT IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE THEM, AND CANNOT EASILY CONTROL THEM.

7. Depending on the day, pellets should comprise 50-85% of the diet with no seed mixes or mixes containing seeds and pellets such as Tropimix which is what we were feeding. She said these mixes were there is a variety of seeds mixed with pellets encourage a bird to selectively eat what they like such as in most cases the seeds, and if you are changing out the food daily, they can end up eating only seeds which of course isn't optimal. Seeds and nuts should be fed on a "treat" basis only. The only commercial food she advocated using was Harrison's(any (any type) with Nutriberries for a treat...period.

I DISAGREE SOMEWHAT. 50% PELLETS. THE OTHER 50% SHOULD BE FRESH. 10% SEEDS, 10% FRUITS & NUTS, 30% VEGGIES/FRESH/CHOP MIX FOCUSING ON HIGH VITAMIN A FOODS... [Oh, and I forgot to add earlier, some source of fresh calcium food daily.]

HARRISON'S IS GOOD, BUT IT'S PRICEY... AND, OH YEAH, THEY MARKET THEIR PRODUCT THROUGH VET OFFICES... SO THERE IS THAT. I FED TUSK HARRISON'S THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF HIS LIFE WHEN HE WAS DEVELOPING. AFTER THAT I SWITCHED TO PELLETS THAT WOULDN'T REQUIRE ME TO TAKE OUT A SECOND MORTGAGE TO AFFORD...

I'VE FED MINE ZUPREME FOR MANY YEARS, ALL OF THEM HAVE PERFECT LIVER VALUES. BUT THEN, IT'S NOT THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF NUTRITION. I DO THE 50-50 OUTLINED ABOVE. MY BIRDS GET TESTED EVERY TWO YEARS. THEY'VE ALWAYS HAD PERFECT LIVER VALUES, WHICH MEANS DIET IS FINE...

Now I do know that so far our bird has absolutely no behavior issues and we have broken most if not all of these rules. The diet we feed is very diverse and Pixie's health is excellent.

SO, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR THE MOST PART...

She said Harrison's was the only food on the market that can correct rising liver enzymes and a whole host of health conditions, once again, in her experience.

I DISAGREE WITH THAT... AND IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LIVER VALUES, GIVE THE BIRD ALOE DETOX IN SOME FRUIT JUICE ONCE A WEEK OR SO... WON'T EVER BE AN ISSUE... SO, AGAIN... DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO... (AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PITCHING PRODUCT.)

Whether or not you agree with all of what she said, she has been the only Avian Vet we have seen and we were blown away with the rationale she had at the ready for everything she recommended. She writes a local Q&A column for a local Parrot Association so obviously must have impressed someone to get that gig. (OR SAID YES WHEN THEY ASKED HER... AGAIN, THIS IS HOW AN AVIAN VET GETS HIS OR HER NAME OUT THERE.)

THIS IS THE BASE ADVICE. IT'S A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH...

OVERALL IT'S GOOD ADVICE. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW... ON EVERYTHING... ALL THE TIME...

BEATS THE HELL OUT OF A VET WHO SAYS "HE'S CUTE, WHAT KIND OF BIRD IS THAT?!"
 
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Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
i agree with much of what she's says. Some of it for different reasons but most is sound advice. i think you should realize she (as a AV) has a vested interest in recommending Harrison pellets. i'm sure they are very good (and expensive) pellets but they are only available through a vet. The Vet's mark up is protected because harrison will only sell through the Vet's distributor. no chance a pet store can get them and sell them cheaper. Now, if they where available on the open market and a vet recommended them, that would be a different story. Ever wonder why so many AV's recommend Harrisons,they are the only ones selling them! I'm sorry but that throws up a red flag in my opinion.

I never knew this before. Very interesting that vets push pellets so hard because they sell them. I always thought they only sold the "special" RX pellets for birds with liver or kidney disease, not "all purpose" pellets.

I always get reamed at the vets office because I refuse to feed pellets. Doesn't matter I feed tons of fresh produce and a healthy beans/grains mix (or that Kiwi is in perfect health because he eats a nutritionally sound diet):rolleyes: If only the vets knew I also give him (a small amount) of SEED and the occasional NUT too (the horror! the abuse!), though I opt to leave those out of the dietary "discussion":)
 
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Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
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258
San Antonio, TX
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Yeah, Harrison's has been marketing through vets for years...

It IS a great product, but it is also pricey....

I can buy a 40 lb bag of zupreme and feed all of my birds for a month or two, or I for the same price I can buy an itty bitty bag of Harrisons and feed one bird... for one month.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I always get reamed at the vets office because I refuse to feed pellets. Doesn't matter I feed tons of fresh produce and a healthy beans/grains mix (or that Kiwi is in perfect health because he eats a nutritionally sound diet):rolleyes: If only the vets knew I also give him (a small amount) of SEED and the occasional NUT too (the horror! the abuse!), though I opt to leave those out of the dietary "discussion":)

They go by what is written in a text book somewhere... they don't expect parrot owners to be more sophisticated than they are when it comes to species specific diets...

That stuff about not feeding chop?! HORSE PUCKY! And one of these days, the text book will get updated to say in the ideal world THIS is how they get fed, as close to what they would get in nature as possible...

MOST FOLKS DON'T DO THAT.

AND YOU'D NEVER GIVE SOMETHING LIKE AN ECKIE PELLETS!!! So one size fits all, does not work.
 
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ZephyrFly

New member
Sep 21, 2014
686
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UK
Parrots
Pazu - Green Cheek Conure - Hatch Date ~27 September 2014~
Yeah, Harrison's has been marketing through vets for years...

It IS a great product, but it is also pricey....

I can buy a 40 lb bag of zupreme and feed all of my birds for a month or two, or I for the same price I can buy an itty bitty bag of Harrisons and feed one bird... for one month.

I understand what you're saying here, I feel similarly about Harrisons. But you said previously that you started using them then moved onto zupreem (sorry if I got the brand wrong). What do you think of Hagen Tropical pellets? (That's what I use for my green cheek) I'm trying to get a good handle on good mid-range pellets that don't cost me an arm and a leg but are still good with a 50:50 diet (pellet:chop).
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Well, at the time, I bought Harrison's for the CAG only cuz he was a baby and needed the extra nutrition.

I went with Zupreme because, at the time, I had 11 birds and it was the one pellet they would all readily eat. So no science to it, and yes it has dies and is higher in sugar than some of the other pellets on the market. (They eat more than they throw.) The one exception was the Eckie didn't get ANY pellets. Just mash. If I had an eckie I wouldn't feed pellets. I'd feed fresh.

Basically, I didn't want to buy this pellet for that bird, and that pellet for this bird. I wanted to buy one big bag they all would eat... And, that's what you get as a staple. There is no deep thought process here... I am not the go to person on what pellets are better than what. I have no opinion other than my birds eat this stuff, and their liver values have been fine all these years...

There are a fair number of folks on this board more knowledgeable about that stuff than me.
 

henpecked

Active member
Dec 12, 2010
4,858
Media
3
18
NC/FLA
Parrots
Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
i agree with much of what she's says. Some of it for different reasons but most is sound advice. i think you should realize she (as a AV) has a vested interest in recommending Harrison pellets. i'm sure they are very good (and expensive) pellets but they are only available through a vet. The Vet's mark up is protected because harrison will only sell through the Vet's distributor. no chance a pet store can get them and sell them cheaper. Now, if they where available on the open market and a vet recommended them, that would be a different story. Ever wonder why so many AV's recommend Harrisons,they are the only ones selling them! I'm sorry but that throws up a red flag in my opinion.

I never knew this before. Very interesting that vets push pellets so hard because they sell them. I always thought they only sold the "special" RX pellets for birds with liver or kidney disease, not "all purpose" pellets.

I always get reamed at the vets office because I refuse to feed pellets. Doesn't matter I feed tons of fresh produce and a healthy beans/grains mix (or that Kiwi is in perfect health because he eats a nutritionally sound diet):rolleyes: If only the vets knew I also give him (a small amount) of SEED and the occasional NUT too (the horror! the abuse!), though I opt to leave those out of the dietary "discussion":)

I tried to buy the harrisons brand in bulk. I use 40-50lb bags. can't be done. I have to buy them through a Vet, and they don't sell large bags, better mark up (more profit) on small bags. With most brands of pellets you can buy direct from distributor with a minimum 200 lb order(and they deliver) . Not with harrisons, "get it though the Vet". That'd cost about 1,000 dollars!
 

ZephyrFly

New member
Sep 21, 2014
686
0
UK
Parrots
Pazu - Green Cheek Conure - Hatch Date ~27 September 2014~
Thanks all the same, you always have good stuff to say when I see you pop up on here so I figured it was worth asking. Hagen tropican is hardly perfect but it was the firs pellet I found that I liked but was cheaper and well talked of, I was moving my bird away from seeds (first bird ever for me so I wanted it all to go well). If it's dye's for you/zupreem then it's fat content for me/hagen, it seems to have more (sometimes double) the fat of other pellets but low/mid-range protein. I scienced this all out but I've no clue what I would've done if my gcc didn't like it (probably sniff the bag for awhile in silent tears, tropican smells awesome).
Sorry, this was meant to be a short message ^_^''
 

Solo

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Feb 24, 2015
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Wichita,KS
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Shamrock Macaw
I've found many areas where you can get Harrison's through a bird store (not vet). I got some Harrison's and some Zupreem to see what my girl would adjust to best. Previous owner had her on all seed and peanut diet. I am finding it a challenge to get her to eat fresh food. I disagree entirely about the chop, I will eventually be switching my girl over to Birdman666 percentage recommendation once she stops chucking all the wonderful fresh foods to the floor. While she's not over weight, she is still young and accustomed to eating the equivalent of Big Macs all day. She did seem to make valid points on several maturation issues, however each bird is different. I'd say if it ain't broke done fix it. If a problem arises, deal with it then.
 

Birdman666

Well-known member
Sep 18, 2013
9,904
258
San Antonio, TX
Parrots
Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
I've found many areas where you can get Harrison's through a bird store (not vet). I got some Harrison's and some Zupreem to see what my girl would adjust to best. Previous owner had her on all seed and peanut diet. I am finding it a challenge to get her to eat fresh food. I disagree entirely about the chop, I will eventually be switching my girl over to Birdman666 percentage recommendation once she stops chucking all the wonderful fresh foods to the floor. While she's not over weight, she is still young and accustomed to eating the equivalent of Big Macs all day. She did seem to make valid points on several maturation issues, however each bird is different. I'd say if it ain't broke done fix it. If a problem arises, deal with it then.

Macaws get a few more nuts than I outlined above... they get a higher in fat diet as do the large toos. That's the only change I would make in my formula if it was a mac.

The birds with fat issues tend to get more fresh, and less seed and nuts.

The birds that need a little more fat in their diet, get more seeds and nuts...
 

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