Switching to pellets?

I am trying to switch my parrot's diet from seeds to pellets. The bird really just wants the bad seeds, and he doesn't bother eating a pellet.
I see him grabbing one in his beak and even hold it in place with his foot, but he doesn't even break the pellet. Instead he thinks it's too hard to bite on and drops it. I tried to hold one so he could bite it better but once he breaks a small piece off, he tosses it away again.
I moistened a pellet with water to soften it, but all he did was shake his beak in disgust from the moist.

I tried mixing the pellets in with his old seed diet, he just thinks the pellets are in the way and throws them out going for the seeds. I placed only pellets in his bowl. He shows signs of hunger. He'd rather starve than eat the healthier pellets.

I tried putting slices of his favorite fruit in it, (apple) hoping he would try now that the apple has touched the pellets.
Nope. He just went towards the apple.

I even pretended to eat the pellets. When I offered the pellet near him he looked as if he really wanted it, reaching out towards the pellet every time I pulled it away from his reach. He still tosses it away. I even actually ate some. He saw it and went to his pellet bowl, grabbed one, tried biting it, and drops it again.

No, I don't want to "try the smaller size" the mini size are the only one in the store. And I don't want to have two uneaten bags.

I don't think he should have problems biting through hard things. He would bite through hard sunflower seeds, so I don't see how he can't bite through a pellet in which is actually less hard.

My parrot is showing signs of malnutrition. I wish he would get used to the pellets because I'm afraid of starving him if I just leave the pellets with nothing else.


Also, this blasted bird would rather fill himself up with water. He sees only pellets so he tries using the water as "food" or something. It is annoying. No, having seeds with pellets in separate bowls wouldn't work. He would just ignore the pellets definitely if he sees his old food is there.

Hi, Welcome to the Forum!

How long have you been trying to convert your bird to a healthier diet? It doesn't happen instantly. It's dangerous to completely withhold his familiar food until you are certain he is consuming enough if the new food to maintain a healthy weight.

Here are some links you may find helpful.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

And here is an excellent article written by one of our members.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/55433-my-thoughts-pellets.html

Feed the seeds if you think he is starving. Don't allow him to starve. Are you just feeding pellets vs seeds? what about a chop of Fresh veggies and some fruit?

What type of bird is he?
Make sure you slowly introduce the new food and don't withhold seeds entirely yet. Also, if he won't try pellets then make cut some fruits and veggies for him instead. It sounds like he's tried the pellets and just doesn't like them as much as seeds. You could try a different type of pellet..

You could always take the pellets and toss them into a processor so they're the size of the seeds and mix with the seeds.

Why pretend to eat em? Embarrassing, but I like the taste of Roudybush! You can try crushing some up and adding a bit of apple juice. Or my method, JoJo only gets new food at his play areas, never cage. I also have the normal treats, sprouts, available! His first reaction is always so funny, gives you a look, this is a treat?, you have a problem!! I immediately take it away. By the third time, he is looking for it. I then start to give it to him in his 'special' food cup in his cage. But only very little, like 15 pellets or less. Something I have come to realize, these suckers are way, way up there in empathy! If you are apprehensive over anything, they pick up on it!
Side diversion, my human children, I refused to put veggies in their plates, grownup food only! Wife and I always ate out of the serving bowl(rednecks). If the kids were good, special treat was to sit in our lap and share the veggies. Now understand, I am--a bit strange-- got into the live off the land thing, etc. my kids, all adults now, love some of the bitterest, funkiness greens/veggies/fungi around. And sorry! No bacon coverup!
FYI, I train myself the same way!

Flboy said:

Why pretend to eat em? Embarrassing, but I like the taste of Roudybush!

Click to expand...

Just happy to know I'm not the only one who's tasted pellets to make sure they don't taste disgusting LOL I don't understand why Kyo goes bonkers for zupreem fruit blend (it's a special treat for her), Roudybush (her always available pellet) tastes so much better

I offer her small amounts of chop twice a day (morning and evening) and leave the pellets in at all times myself.

I try all of the pellets my birds eat.

Zupreem has a fruit blend for canary sized birds that I found in a local pet store recently. These pellets are the size of millet seeds, maybe try that?