Trying to wean onto pellets

Caesar · Dec 1, 2013

Hi guys
I have been trying to wean my two IRN off seed that the breeder had them on onto Vetafarm. Its been about a week now and I have been slowly reducing the mix ratio of seed to pellets. These r my breeding pair.
They haven't seemed to take to the pellets at all tossing the pellets out and eating the seed. By the end of the week I hope to have them on the pellets and am getting concerned about their weight.
But if they get hungry enough they should start on the pellets.
Another issue is that I have introduced a you female to my hand raised group inside and yes she needs weaning off the seed onto the pellets as well. But the other two IRN in that group r eating the seed now and not the pellets ...LOL
Any advice???

GaryBV · Dec 1, 2013

I don't know that brand of pellets, and after doing a search I gather it's an Australian brand. What I would do is to check to see if it comes in 'maintenace' (which is for daily feeding) and in any other special formulas, that may contain more fat, more proteins, more vitamins, etc. Roudybush and Harrison's both come in a daily maintenance formula and a high energy forumla - used at times of extra stress or when changing diets (like you are now). You can also soak the pellets in a juice if they like any kind in particular, or you can sprinkle something on top that they like a lot. Some birds are very stubborn and what I would advise is that you be patient - you are giving yourself only one week and that simply may not be long enough - it could take months for some birds.

MikeyTN · Dec 2, 2013

IF you had the birds for awhile, start putting full bowl of pellets in their cage all day everyday. Another bowl you put fresh veggies and fruits. Then during the evening time put in seeds about two table spoon to split between them two. Then in the morning remove the seeds and start over again. This process give me the best result in switching over but I've done the mixing ratio as well and that does take some time to work. During anytime they eat the pellets really good, stop giving the seeds period. That means NO nuts or treats during this period! Until they eat the pellets really good for a month or so before giving treats again.

Featheredsamurai · Dec 2, 2013

With Rosie I did something a similar to what Mikey did, although slightly different because Rosie was very underweight at the time.

(Three bowls in cage, lined up together) I offered one bowl of pellets(various brands), one bowl with seeds mixed with some pellets, and the third bowl was used for fresh veggies. As Mikey said as soon as Rosie started to eat pellets(took 6 months) I removed all seeds and nuts from her diet for a long time.

Nathan1 · Dec 3, 2013

Caesar said:
Hi guys
I have been trying to wean my two IRN off seed that the breeder had them on onto Vetafarm. Its been about a week now and I have been slowly reducing the mix ratio of seed to pellets. These r my breeding pair.
They haven't seemed to take to the pellets at all tossing the pellets out and eating the seed. By the end of the week I hope to have them on the pellets and am getting concerned about their weight.
But if they get hungry enough they should start on the pellets.
Another issue is that I have introduced a you female to my hand raised group inside and yes she needs weaning off the seed onto the pellets as well. But the other two IRN in that group r eating the seed now and not the pellets ...LOL
Any advice???

I find that eating the pellets in-front of them gets them very interested(Yes, I eat bird pellets).

What others have suggested work as well, but birds learn from their flock and if they see you eating something then they know it's safe to eat.

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