Only eating millet seeds

xStatic

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I just got my budgie and the seed mix he came with (from previous owners) isn't a very good one (it's a wild bird seed) and I've noticed the only thing he has been eating out of it is millet seed. I also bought a small package of the Zupreem fruit keet pellets to see if he would eat some of those. Yesterday I gave him 4 parts seed mix and 1 part pellets. So far he's eaten all of the millet seeds but left everything else. I did see him pick up the pellets a few time and taste them but then he spat them back in the bowl. Should I leave the food in his bowl for now and see if he starts eating the other seeds and pellets now that he's finished all of the millet? He's also been eating some greens for me (green leaf lettuce and spinach). His poops are an excellent consistency so no worries about diarrhea or anything here.
 
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SilverSage

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Try sprouting his seed mix :) instant switch from French fries to salad and they usually eat it just fine :)


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plumsmum2005

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Have read recently that wild bird seed should not be given to pet birds as it is high in fat and I feel not the quality I would want to feed. By feeding this you are putting Shiro's health at risk.
I am providing a link which I hope is useful to you especially the diet section and please have a look at the hazardous foods also. I was surprised by cabbage being on the list.
Budgerigar - Everything You Need to Know About the Parakeet

Let us know how Shiro gets on please?
 
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xStatic

xStatic

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Have read recently that wild bird seed should not be given to pet birds as it is high in fat and I feel not the quality I would want to feed. By feeding this you are putting Shiro's health at risk.
I am providing a link which I hope is useful to you especially the diet section and please have a look at the hazardous foods also. I was surprised by cabbage being on the list.
Budgerigar - Everything You Need to Know About the Parakeet

Let us know how Shiro gets on please?

Hi, thanks for you comment. Please understand that I am well aware of the fact that the wild bird seed is unhealthy for my bird. I have only had him for one week and he is 1.5+ years old and has been on this diet for an extended period of time. Of course I am interested in moving him away from this diet of the wild bird see as soon as possible, but I was also advised not to suddenly cause an abrupt change in his diet because that could cause more problems than it solves.

I thought this would be clear from my post ): This is the second time someone on this forum has accused me of not properly caring for my new bird because of the condition he was already in before I got him (unhealthy food, small cage, improper perches, etc.).

Could it perhaps be possible for people to read posts a little bit more closely and carefully before making comments like these, especially to new bird owners. It's discouraging to have multiple people treat me as if I am doing something wrong when I am really trying my best to care for him properly.
 

plumsmum2005

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Nov 18, 2015
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Lou, Ruby, and Sonu.
Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Have read recently that wild bird seed should not be given to pet birds as it is high in fat and I feel not the quality I would want to feed. By feeding this you are putting Shiro's health at risk.
I am providing a link which I hope is useful to you especially the diet section and please have a look at the hazardous foods also. I was surprised by cabbage being on the list.
Budgerigar - Everything You Need to Know About the Parakeet

Let us know how Shiro gets on please?

Hi, thanks for you comment. Please understand that I am well aware of the fact that the wild bird seed is unhealthy for my bird. I have only had him for one week and he is 1.5+ years old and has been on this diet for an extended period of time. Of course I am interested in moving him away from this diet of the wild bird see as soon as possible, but I was also advised not to suddenly cause an abrupt change in his diet because that could cause more problems than it solves.

I thought this would be clear from my post ): This is the second time someone on this forum has accused me of not properly caring for my new bird because of the condition he was already in before I got him (unhealthy food, small cage, improper perches, etc.).

Could it perhaps be possible for people to read posts a little bit more closely and carefully before making comments like these, especially to new bird owners. It's discouraging to have multiple people treat me as if I am doing something wrong when I am really trying my best to care for him properly.

Sorry if you have taken offence at my post, not intended, honestly. Remember you are not the only recipient of any replies. I am pleased that little Shiro has no symptoms relating to any health issues that these little ones are prone to. Please may it stay that way. Do understand you are trying your best but am concerned that he has been eating this for 18 months. Silversage's suggestion of sprouting is excellent and pleased to see you are keen. Repeat that hope you will keep us updated of how you and Shiro get on. Wishing you and your little feathered friend many happy years. :)
 

itzjbean

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My cockatiels love the Zupreem fruit pellets! When I got them, they were on those and an unhealthy seed mix with lots of sunflower seeds in it, so I have been converting them over to a mix of healthier seeds without the sunflowers (Volkmanns), pellet/seed/legumes mix (Tropimix), and my own variation of CHOP (my thread here)! They seem to really like the variety so this is what I've been sticking to. I will give them the sunflower seed mix only on occasion now.

Converting birds can be hard, as some are very picky. Some don't like fruits and veggies, some won't try pellets, etc. So I think you're doing the right thing trying to incorporate different foods into your new bird's usual stuff. Over the next two weeks you can slowly work in other foods and lower the ratio of old seed mix.

If you wanted to offer your new bird some fruits and veggies, which are very healthy for them, I suggest chopping them up in small pieces and the mixing it with his seeds, so the seeds coat the chop, as it is usually sort of wet. Most fruits and veggies are ok to offer, just stay way from avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, rhubarb, alcohol :)
 

GaleriaGila

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My usual contribution...

Harrison's Bird Foods
I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. 30-ish years ago, Harrison's was still a small company. My vet was actually able to talk to Dr. Harrison about my bird's species and status, and they decided on the High Potency. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff. My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day.
 
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xStatic

xStatic

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Just to update... I took away his seed except for times when he is out of his cage eating from my hand. Otherwise his bowl only has pellets in it and he has veggies in his treat bowl. It worked! He started eating his pellets now during the day and he's extra excited to come out onto my hand when I'm home because he know's he'll get to snack on seeds while he's out.
 

Inger

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Just to update... I took away his seed except for times when he is out of his cage eating from my hand. Otherwise his bowl only has pellets in it and he has veggies in his treat bowl. It worked! He started eating his pellets now during the day and he's extra excited to come out onto my hand when I'm home because he know's he'll get to snack on seeds while he's out.



Well done!!


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plumsmum2005

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Great start, good going. What is Shiro's reaction to the green stuff LOL? Could try and reverse this, put pellets in the treat bowl WDYT?
 
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xStatic

xStatic

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Great start, good going. What is Shiro's reaction to the green stuff LOL? Could try and reverse this, put pellets in the treat bowl WDYT?

He loves leafy greens like green leaf lettuce, spinach, and baby kale, but he hasn't wanted to try any other types of veggies so far. I could try putting pellets in the treat bowl, do you think it would make him more likely to want to eat them? What should I keep in his normal food dish?
 

plumsmum2005

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  • Vegetables - Budgies enjoy a wide range of different vegetables including carrots, cucumbers, squashes, yams, turnips, zucchinis, cauliflowers and romaine lettuce.
  • Grains - In the wild, budgerigars thrive off of grass seeds. In captivity, grains like couscous, barley, flax, oats, quinoa, wholegrain pastas, whole rice, wild rice and millet are all excellent options.
  • Legumes and Nuts - From time to time, you should provide your budgie with fresh nuts and legumes. Options include pinto beans, kidney beans, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and almonds.
I would want to give some of this as his main source each day IMO. Pellets can still be quite high in fat, therefore not ideal. Try introducing a new thing each day ie have you tried raw cauliflower rice and stir it into the greens so he gets to taste it. This is the reason 'chop' is so popular as it enables the big people to try and get the fids to eat a wider selection.
 
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xStatic

xStatic

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Thank you for all the ideas! I'll try introducing more foods to him over time :)

And thank you for the link... I'll try finding a healthier treat to substitute for the seeds during training and bonding times.
 

Scott

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I would recommend trying a variety of healthy mixes to let Shiro experience the universe of available foods. Sometimes pet stores offer samples to avoid the buyers remorse of an expensive unwanted bag. ZuPreem Fruit Pellets are enjoyed by my birds, no exceptions, and it is produced in sizes for all birds.
 
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