High Maintenance Dietary Needs?

[Harlequin40]

In my quest to find the right bird, if any bird at all, for me and my family, I've taken a long pause at a male Eclectus. I've been doing a lot of homework on this one. The other is a pair of white bellied Caiques....which are a little tricky to find.

The only thing that I am not sure of is the dietary needs. Preparing Chop every week seems expensive and a pain. I could see myself doing it for 6 months than getting tired of being birdie's personal chef without being able to buy a bag of something every once in a while to get a break from kitchen duty.

Do you find yourself getting tired of the food prep routine for your Ekkies? 30-40 years is a long time of kitchen duty.

 

[Harlequin40]

Almost forgot, something that has me curious. Eclectus life span is listed anywhere from 20-30 years depending on the source. That seems so low for a parrot like this when compared to the longevity of Macaws, greys, amazons, toos, etc....?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, here is one link that will provide some interesting reading
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/64401-pepsi-challenge.html it has input from several of our devoted Ekkie parronts. But if you look for the post by Anansi who has two, yes two Ekkies. Look in particular for his list of foods that he feeds them.

I have read that they can live up to and over 30 years with the right diet.

The Ekkie forum for your convenience - http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/

Re the pain bit? I have an RB2 and I would say due to health problems he is more difficult to feed than an Eclectus. It is necessary with any parrot species, providing a good home is more than chucking a few seeds or pellets in the cage once in a while. We as devoted owners spend a lot of time both prepping their diet, on the birds themselves and of course the monetary aspect includes food, housing, stands, toys and vet care. It could be that relating to your opening sentence, the time isn't right at the present time to devote to owning a parrot, they are IMO more time consuming than some of the other usual domesticated pets. Even the pair of WB Caiques will require good food and equipment and your time to be happy and relaxed with people. Honesty is the best policy and you will get support along those lines with helping you make a decision. I think it is fair to mention that many parrots go through several homes in their lifetime which I feel is unfair, implore you not to add to that list please?

 

[chris-md]

Chop isn't that bad, especially if you have a food processor. You can make a large batch and freeze it in little bags to last a couple months even, so you aren't chopping every day or every week.

Doing this has actually had the effect of allowing me to enjoy chopping things up for him when I get bored of just giving him his frozen chop and want to mix things up a bit.

The diet isn't bad, its just a heavier focus on high fiber foods: vegetables and grain - brown rice, wild rice, some quinoa, and foods high in vitamin A - almost any orange/red/yellow veggies like bell peppers and tropical fruits. Though sugar needs to be minimized so fruits should be a small fraction of any given meal.

 

[davefv92c]

I guess I got lucky Maxx eats anything that don't eat him first.
I think he spends more time in his food dishes eating then anything else other then
sleeping.he gets a bowl of avian science super eclectus feed and a bowl of fresh fruit and veggies everyday. it is kinda pricey at times I do around 100.00 a month on produce but I'm also feeding 5 other birds. I have found with all my birds if they seem to be getting bored with the mix I mash a sweet tater in and they are all right back on it quick. I do enjoy doing the produce area and trying new stuff and I believe the birds like new stuff to. I also do Volkers fancy soak and simmer,and kalee soak and serve at times to switch things up for them. I'm retired so it works for me, but that is the main element needed with any parrot is time. the eclectus are a family parrot that will bond with all members of a family where some of these guys pick their human and want nothing to do with anyone else.Maxx is a relatively quiet bird compared to the U2 and the Amazon. seem to be a smart fellow at figuring out things and is talking at 8 months.

like you are doing I studied quite a bit before getting maxx.

 

[Harlequin40]

Thanks for the replies. They are very helpful.

Still looking before I leap. No impulse buying here. There are a lot of factors at play here, one of which is that the Eclectus is not as dusty. I have a sensitive allergy in my family to contend with. The other is personality. The two I've had the opportunity to handle were very sweet and easy going. Guess it varies from bird to bird, but I like their mild personality.

I cook and am a creature of habit. If I could do a 50/50 of chop and prepackaged food, I think I can make that compromise long term. By no means am I saying that I expect to toss a handful of seed every once in awhile in the cage and expect an animal to thrive in my care. I am prepared to do more and be more. I also don't think a parrot is a low maintenance pet. I realize they are a member of the family and certain aspects of my lifestyle have to change to incorporate one into my home. On board with that.

Guess what I was looking for was reinforcement form current owners that do fall back on a pellet or mix as a part of a dietary regimen. If it was all fresh chop all the time, I might rule the Eclectus completely out. That's all...

 

[Anansi]

The skewed statistics on ekkie lifespans is due to how little people once knew about them. They are more diet-sensitive than a lot of other parrots, so feeding them all seeds and such will indeed kill them in 20+ years. Fact is, ekkie lifespans can range closers to 60+ years with a proper diet of fresh foods.

As for chop prep, I really don't see it as a big deal. Once you get used to it, it hardly seems a chore, anymore. And consider, this is coming from someone who doesn't freeze chop. I prep enough for 3 days at a time. But I have made it a bonding time for my Eclectic Duo. They hang out on my shoulders and keep me entertained as I chop away.

All this said, however, not all people are cut out for being ekkie parronts. Which is okay, so long as you are being honest with yourself. If you really feel that you'll tire of the process, an ekkie likely isn't right for you. As Plumsmum said, you don't want to add to the statistics of people who wind up re-homing their birds.

You're doing the right thing by researching, first. It's too bad more people don't.

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[davefv92c]

good reading

 

[katie_fleming]

Kudos to you for thinking about this long and hard before jumping in, btw!

Would it be easier just to open a bag of food and throw it in the dish? Of course, but overall I do not find preparing Jasper's food a chore at all (and I HATE cooking).

Once a week: Chop up food for Jasper's breakfast (~20 min)
Once every 4 months: Spend about ~6 hours cooking/bagging/freezing food for his dinners

I only had one of those small hand-held choppers but I got a mini food processor for Christmas so the next time I do up a huge batch of dinners it should help reduce the time by a ton.

It's super easy just spending part of a day preparing meals for 4 months (or however big your freezer can handle) and just taking out bags as needed.

So for Jasper:

Breakfast/Dinner -- all fresh food
Treats/"Snacky time" -- seeds, nuts, bit of pellets

 

[plumsmum2005]

And birdie bread Katie LOL

 

[katie_fleming]

Hahaha yes

 

[GaleriaGila]

I don't have any information for you... but I couldn't resist thanking you for being so cautious, so considerate, and so receptive to advice IN ADVANCE of getting a bird!

 

[Harlequin40]

An Ekkie will be deciding if I'm right for it over the weekend. I will have a long conversation with the breeder and do some more soul searching. I'm 75% there. Believe you me, if I were 20 years younger I would have made the buy already, allowing youthful impulse to lead me in a whatever direction. But I am slow rolling this to make EXTRA sure. I don't like the concept of rehoming anything. I can only imagine how I'd feel if mom and dad came to me when I was 5 and said this just isn't working out because they are tired of cooking....so we found you a new parent set. I am backing away from the Caiques (too many horrror stories of mighty birds gone insane), the African Grey, Amazons, dusty loud 2s or Macawzillas. Pionous are nice as are Conures, but I'd lke a big bird......cheesy as it sounds. The Emkkie checks most of the boxes and it is different like me. Never met someone with an Ekkie and I like that.

 

[plumsmum2005]

So thanking you for listening and wishing you luck, payment? Pictures, pictures and you've guessed it more pictures LOL.

 

[EllenD]

I don't have any information for you... but I couldn't resist thanking you for being so cautious, so considerate, and so receptive to advice IN ADVANCE of getting a bird!

Agreed, and well said! So many people would very typically get online looking for a parrot, they would see a photo of an Eclectus and like the way the bird looks, it's size, etc. Then without doing any research at all beyond finding out what the name of the bird's species was, they would do a search for breeders or would get on Craigslist to find one that was being rehomed, and then they would just go out and get one and bring it home (most likely along with a bag of cheap parrot seed mix from Walmart). Then eventually either the bird would become sick from the improper diet or something else would be going wrong with the bird, and they would Google "bird forums" and this forum would pop up first. And after finding the Eclectus category they would quickly see a lot of talk and questions about their diets, and would put up their very first post titled "Does My Eclectus Need A Special Diet Or Something?"

So yes, thank you so much for doing your research BEFORE getting a bird, it's a huge commitment to promise 30+ years of your life to a pet, hell it's a huge commitment to promise 15+ years of your life to a dog or a cat! Unfortunately most people act before thinking, and they see something they want so they just go out and get it. And when that "thing" that they see and automatically have to have is a living creature that has no choice but to rely upon that person for their life, it needs to be taken very seriously. I actually (and unfortunately) know several people (2 I can name immediately) that have actually called me up to say they had gotten a new pet, one a pit bull puppy (such a horrible idea) and one a sun conure, and wanted me to come over and see them. In both instances the person had not ever mentioned wanting a pet at all to me, and in both instances the pets were a spur of the moment decision that they had to make on the spot because they were being rehomed and were free. The pit bull puppy was 3 months old and had been purchased by a guy who couldn't have pets in his apartment and the sun conure was found on Craigslist as a 2 year old bird that had to be rehomed ASAP because it's owner got a promotion and was moving. (Why is it that 80% of the ads I see from people that are rehoming their pets list the reason they are rehoming their beloved pet as "The only reason I'm rehoming him is because I'm moving out of state"? I mean, I see this constantly, every time I get on Craigslist, and I always say out loud "So what? So you're moving, OK, so take your dog with you!) Anyway, my point is that both of these people gave me Exactly the same answer when I first went to their homes to see their new pets, and I asked them "Don't you think you should have done some research or given this some thought before you just brought home a pet that you haven't ever even thought about having before?"...Their duplicate answers were something like "Well, I had to make a snap decision because he was free and the owner needed him gone ASAP, and the guy had a bunch of calls about him. So he would have been gone by tomorrow. And I can't really lose, I mean hopefully he's a good dog/bird and he likes me and we get along. Hopefully he doesn't destroy stuff, and I think I can make enough time for him with work and actually having a life. But even if it doesn't work out I can't lose, he was free so if I end up having to get rid of him I'll only lose money that I paid for food and toys and stuff like that, and it's not like it's hard to find someone to take him, worst case scenario is I drop him off at a shelter. Best case is I make a couple bucks selling him."

So thanks so much for being responsible, and I'm sure whatever parrot you decide to get you'll be a responsible owner that will take very good care of your bird and provide him everything he needs to live a long, healthy life. I have had pet birds for about 30 years now, since I was 6 years old, and I can't imagine not having at least one in my home. I don't know much about the Eclectus species, I've never owned one myself. I have know a few people that have owned them over the years, and they all loved them very much. They were all very loving, funny, outgoing birds that loved attention. I will say though that I think all of the people I have known that had them had purchased them as hand-raised babies from breeders rather than adopting an adult Eclectus, so I have no experience at all with that situation.

The one bit of advice I can give you that should be helpful to you is that no matter what type of bird you get, whether it be a budgie, a conure, a senegal, an eclectus, a macaw, or a cockatoo, they will all need fresh veggies and fruits, whole grain pastas and breads, nuts and seeds, in addition to their dry staple food like pellets, whether cut up separately or put into chops and frozen, then thawed and portioned out, every day for their entire lives. So the few people I knew that had an Eclectus didn't seem to do anymore work in food preparation than I did for my birds. And they all did the same thing to make it very easy on themselves, they found the chop recipes they wanted to make (they do need variety) and on either Saturday or Sunday morning they would go to the grocery store and buy everything they needed. Then they would go home and spend probably 2 hours at most chopping up and separating veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, pastas, breads, etc. Then they would just put together 2 or 3 different types of chop, huge bowls full, and would freeze it. These would be all of their bird's food for the week. Some people actually spend an entire day making massive amounts of chop and freezing them so that they're good for a month or more. I don't have the freezer space to do this, but if I did I would definitely do it this way!

I typically go and buy all of my pet's food on Sunday. I get my dog's their dry and wet dog food and their treats, I go to Petco and buy my bearded dragon's crickets, mealworms, wax worms, beardie bits if he needs them, then get any bird food that I need like pellets, seeds, treats, and then I hit the grocery store. I get my own groceries followed by all of the fresh veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, pastas, breads, etc. that I need for both the birds and the bearded dragon. (The older my beardie gets the less insects he eats, thank God, and the more fresh veggies and fruits he eats. So I can actually split this stuff between him and the birds) I'll be the first to admit that I do things on the spot, so I typically prepare the bird's fresh food and the beardie's fresh salad every night and morning on the spot. Sometimes the birds have something easy for breakfast like oatmeal, grits, or eggs along with their pellets and a little seed, so not much work there, but the beardie needs mostly salad now every day.

So I guess the bottom line is no matter what species of bird you get, there really won't be a day where you just fill their bowl with pellets and seeds and not prepare them some other type of fresh food, typically veggies. So if an Eclectus is what you really love and want to get, don't let the need for fresh foods every day hold you back, you'll have to do this no matter what bird you get.



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[Harlequin40]

Something I find interesting is the correlation between diet and temperament. Reason I say this is that it seems the methodology of parrot keeping has changed a lot. 25 years ago I had a conure. Started out sweet, but changed. At the time I was young, broke and had held ambitions that displaced responsibility. Then, you would buy a bag of something that had a bird similar to the one you have on it, keep a bowl full of it daily and maybe add some drops to turn water yellow...and call it good because you've added extra vitamins to the water.

Not so much now. Big emphasis on fresh fruits and veggies. I think that's great. Sadly, it didn't occur to me then but I have a feeling that that lack of fresh fruit and veggies played a direct role in the wicked temper that little conure developed. Eventually, he became too loud and nasty for dad to deal with....and to a new owner he went.

This is more of an opportunity to redeem, learn and apply. I've always liked birds, but they come with a lot of frustrating habits that can be hard on the people sharing a home with it. I'll make the trip with an open mind and consideration while I introduce myself to an Ekkie. Don't know if I will buy one, but I won't see a bright green bird and instantly say "I gotta have it cause it's perdy and can say hello"..... If you know what I mean.

 

[Anansi]

Depending on the age, the change you noticed in your conure might also have been due to his hitting puberty... or becoming hormonal. Some birds have more dramatic personality shifts than others when that time comes, and this is something else you may want to consider. Though yes, diet can indeed have a significant effect on temperament.

But I'm looking forward to hearing how your trip to visit the ekkie goes. If he chooses you, you may find yourself powerless to resist. Lol! And like Plumsmum, I'm hoping for some pics!

 

[davefv92c]

now I do rescue and have a 16yr U2, Sun Conure,and 2 teils so I do believe it to be the best way. however I found where to get a hand raised, abundance weaned. it took darn near a year to get it done the first male hatchling passed for unknown reason at 3 months so now it is start over, waited a month to get another egg which I decided at that point I would take either a male or female was a male like I wanted 22 weeks to wean during that period only 1 other person was in contact with him,and the wife and myself went in a couple of times a week to build the bond when bringing him home the bond was already working good so it has been a real good experience so far and way happy with my green guy. I know I paid on the high side for him but very happy.

if I had to do it all over again I would do a rescue.

 

[camo]

I do frozen chop and add fresh fruit etc to the mix. I do a few months at a time of the frozen, and find I now have a pretty good process going (the first few batches will take a lot longer than when you get your system worked out). Gizmo and Pebbles (my male and female eclectus) keep me occupied through the process, and are happy to taste test as I go, to make sure I am getting it right.

My two are adopted, and both came to me with probably poor diet and socialisation issues. I am so glad to hear you considering things and not just jumping in. Gizmo and Pebbles are excellent birds (different personalities, but both a joy to own), in my mind their was absolutely no reason for either to be rehomed other than the fact that the previous owners did not take responsibility or put in the effort required.

People do talk about the added time of food preperation for the eclectus, but personally I think this is a very small fraction of the time required to care for an eclectus (and I am guessing any parrot), and it really is a process that you can envolve your parrot in, so it doesn't even have to be additional time to interacting with your parrot. Don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting you are going to be the type of person who would buy a parrot and stick him in a cage and ignore him (you wouldn't be asking these questions if you were), just wanted to point out that in reality you probably won't notice it as an "over and above" chore.

All the best, and as others have said, we love photos

 

[chris-md]

Here here. Someone said six hours once every few months. I'm right around there, 4 hours one day every month or two. And it mostly takes time because I have to cook a few things (beans and rice). Once the batch is made, day to day is simply popping it into the microwave for 25 seconds.

Like Cameron said, it really is a small fraction of your time. Yes, for any other bird who isn't as diet sensitive you don't HAVE to put in those hours. But one Sunday every couple of months just coping? It's hardly anything in the grand scheme of things.

Now, variations exist. I will let Stephen talk about his methods but I believe he makes a batch of chop that lasts a few days a time since he doesn't like to freeze - some like to freeze, others don't. It works for him, and his stuff is EXTRA fresh (you won't find better treated birds than his, no offense other ekkie parrots! ). I freely admit I don't have the patience to do it that often, it's not for me.

BUT, the advantage to doing large batches of chop is it does give me an appetite to mix it up. I'll get bored feeding him the same chop and I'll make something up on the fly. Not having to do it often makes it that more enjoyable when I DO decide to do extraneous chopping for him, or just throw a pomegranate or kiwi at home for dinner.