Macaw.. Seed nut mix??

Greenwing

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Mar 8, 2013
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Well I have been taking a look at the seed mix (fiesta macaw)I have been feeding my birds for the last 16yrs and the quality has gone to the dogs... So I'm looking for recommendations....

Looking for recommendations on a premium nut ,seed mix for my macaws..

I do feed fresh veg, fruit and a combo of Harris and zupreem..

Thank you
 

Jtbirds

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Higgins makes some great seed mixes, I suggest the sunburst macaw size that is all I will use. I also kind of like a product by pretty bird called jungle munchies check them both out.

Many seed mixes have gone to the dogs lately with more fillers that are cheaper and less of what we want.
 
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Greenwing

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I have been feeding my guys Kaytee fiesta for many yrs and I'm getting a lot of something that resembles powder... (I have had to resort to using a sifter to remove the powder before I place it in there bowls..) more sunflower and tiny seeds. And a lot less nuts..

Will check out Higgins..
 

horsesculpter

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We also used fiesta macaw until it turned so bad. We are now using Browns tropical carnival gourmet macaw big bites for big birds. Sunny loves it!
 

Jtbirds

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greenwing that is similar to a mix we used and it just got to being so bad we had to stop, tropical carnival is nice to i forgot to mention i believe all 3 have peanuts and must have them removed which is an easy throw to the trashcan;).
 
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Greenwing

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I did notice tropical has a lot of peanuts....I try to feed the peanuts as treats otherwise they will just pick out and eat just the peanuts..

So that's it Higgins and Browns are the best out there now?
 
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Greenwing

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What do you guys think of Goldenfeast.. They have some nice nut mixes... Just never seen it sold local and don't know anyone that has used it before..

Thoughts opinions?
 

Jtbirds

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I used to use golden feast in my mixes and as treats, but of course they started getting cheaper and more expensive and sorry but there mixes are already pricey sooo they have no room for talk in my mind. I still use some of there mixes as treats, but just won't use all the time as the quality is going downhill fast in them as well.
 

emmett518

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May 15, 2013
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Has anyone had success with hitting your local grocery bulk isle, and making your own mix? My bird came with a bag of human-grade, $77 seed, nut and fruit mix, but the bird seemed to waste most of it. Figured it might make more sense to try different items from that mix (raw pumpkin, sunflower, dried apricots, bananas, papaya, cranberry, soy nuts, etc), to see what they'd take.

My local Hannafords store has a great bulk section that has a lot of unsalted and raw items that might work.
 

Chesphoto

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Skittles - scarlet macaw
When I visit the rescue shelter, I always stop by the grocery store and get some raw almonds or other tasty treats. Emmett, I really like your idea to make a mix to give them some variety, great idea.
 

horsesculpter

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We don't have a problem with the peanuts in the tropical. Sunny is not a peanut lover and chucks most of them.
 

JerseyWendy

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I absolutely LOVE Goldenfeast. Yes, it's not the cheapest food, but ALL my fids, including the Amazons love it.

I order a batch of different mixes monthly and combine them all. Here is what I mix together:

* Zupreem Natural Large Parrot Pellets
* Totally Organics Pellets
* Goldenfeast Caribbean South
* Goldenfeast Madagascar Delite
* Goldenfeast Fruits & Nuts Plus
* Goldenfeast Caribbean Bounty

In addition to this mix I feed raw, shelled nuts in various foraging toys. Nuts include Pistachios, Pine Nuts, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, Almonds, Brazil Nuts.

Then I also feed a home cooked diet for breakfast and dinner, along with chopped raw fruits and veggies. :)
 

Jtbirds

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Jersey your diet sounds a lot like mine although I add pretty bird and then use Higgins instead of golden feast! Sounds great to me:)
 

U2gal

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Nutsonline.com Is the best place to get high quality human nuts, seeds and dried fruit for reasonable prices.
 

Jtbirds

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Well I can say that is false to a point :p, I have a place around me that is a large supplier of nuts to many websites like them and they give me and a close friend much Better deals. Now we buy 50lb bags of walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, and 25lb boxes of pistachios I'll just say the pistachios are around $7-$8 a pound which is very cheap. So if you can find a company like the one I am using or live in my area it is much better then online and they delivery to your door:)
 

Lindylou277

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Coqui, 9 yr old female B/G Macaw
What is the difference between raw and roasted pistachios is there a safety issue or just taste? Of course unsalted
Our Coqui leaves so much of the Higgins sunburst behind that I've been forced to go to individual nuts and seeds and a home made mixture do rice and peas and corn that I got here on the forums. Of course fruit and veggies too. She loves raw snap peas and pole peas. Then I read somewhere that those were not good for her unless cooked. I'm so confused and have not gotten a stable routine in place since we brought her home 5 months ago. I really need a better routine. I just noticed a rub mark on the bridge of her beak and now I'm concerned about a vit A problem.
The quest continues.
 
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Mommajack

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Jun 11, 2013
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Rudy the Ruby Macaw
Hi guys, I'm a new Macaw owner and have a question. I hope it's OK to post in this thread as it is about seed/nut mixes.

I have a 4 month old Ruby, I got him just last Saturday. He's a wonderfully affectionate fellow and I'd really like to give him the best food I can. I have been giving him fresh fruit and veggies, and a seed mix from Pet Smart called Grreat Choice Food for Large Birds. I bought it because it was the only food they had that said it was for Macaws.

Now that we and Rudy are settling in (yeah, a Ruby name Rudy. Original, right?), I'm wondering if it's a good mix. It seems to be predominately sunflower seeds, and Rudy has been picking them out and eating mostly just them.

Would it be cheaper to just mix up my own seed and nut mix? And if so, what should I put in it? If it matters, we don't really know if he's male or female, but I don't intend to breed him/her.
 

JerseyWendy

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Hi guys, I'm a new Macaw owner and have a question. I hope it's OK to post in this thread as it is about seed/nut mixes.

I have a 4 month old Ruby, I got him just last Saturday. He's a wonderfully affectionate fellow and I'd really like to give him the best food I can. I have been giving him fresh fruit and veggies, and a seed mix from Pet Smart called Grreat Choice Food for Large Birds. I bought it because it was the only food they had that said it was for Macaws.

Now that we and Rudy are settling in (yeah, a Ruby name Rudy. Original, right?), I'm wondering if it's a good mix. It seems to be predominately sunflower seeds, and Rudy has been picking them out and eating mostly just them.

Would it be cheaper to just mix up my own seed and nut mix? And if so, what should I put in it? If it matters, we don't really know if he's male or female, but I don't intend to breed him/her.

Firstly, welcome to the fourm Mommajack and Rudy. :)

Yes, you can make your own mix. Have a look at some of the ingredients that are in some of the Goldenfeast mixes, and take it from there.

I personally would not offer my birds the food offered at PetsMart.

Have a look at all the different foods you can order online:
Food for Medium to Large Birds - DISCOUNTED!
 

Mommajack

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Rudy the Ruby Macaw
TY for the information JerseyWendy!

Yeah, the only reason I bought food from PetSmart was because I was originally told there wouldn't be a bird available for another 2 months. Then I get a text saying, "OK, you can have this one tonight" so I ran out and picked up the smallest bag of what I could find and a couple of toys (and had to borrow a cage!). I knew it wasn't going to be the best thing out there but had to get something on short notice.
 

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