How to convert cockatiel from seed to pellet and veggies?

[tungtruong4]

So I planing on convert my cockatiels to pellet and veggies, last two weeks I went to a bird store and pick up a super fine pack of Harrison's pellet. Then, I went home and did some research about converting bird to pellet as well as veggies, I tried to mix 50% of pellet and 50% of seed to their food dish and a separate dish for veggies and fruits. It seems like my birds didn't eat any pellet over the past two weeks. I'm changing their food dish every two days and I see all of the pellets are still remain in their dish, but the seeds had all gone only the hush is left. Also, I getting tired of chopping all kind of veggies over the past two weeks and they don't eat even a tiny piece of it.
Please teach me how to convert my tiels to pellets and veggies, I know if the bird eats only seed it'll develop a lot of health problems over times. Thanks

 

[crimson]

I tried for years to convert my birds to a pellet diet, to no avail.

I had all but given up, until I bought the Harrisons mash. I put it in all the cages(I have 14 of them) and within about 2 weeks, more than 1/2 my birds are now eating it.
I have 35 in total.

I chose the mash due to it being a fine powder and I would put it on top of their seed so they could become accustomed to the taste....it just seemed to work out really well.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here you go, this thread may be helpful for you.
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[crimson]

oh I forgot, for the veggies, that may take some time as well.
I started off giving them leafy greens, such as dandelion, or kale....cockatiels seem to really go for that type of food.

I just clipped it onto the side of the cage daily, and before long they started picking at it.
then I introduced, brown cooked rice with corn.....another favourite.

now I throw all sort of veggies in and the plate is clean before long.....it just takes time.

 

[tungtruong4]

Thank you for the infor guys I will try it again for next week, if you guys have any way else please advise me.
@crimson: Do you know where can I order Harrison's mash is it available on amazon? for now I have a super fine it is really really tiny and they wouldn't take it, I'm afraid they won;t eat the mash , and I had tried your way for the veggies in the past, but it didn't go well for me since they are just complete ignore it, I also tried to put the kale in the pot and put it need their cage.

 

[tungtruong4]

Here you go, this thread may be helpful for you.
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

Oh wow! I will definitely try these tommorrow. these are amazing ways. Thank you very much.

 

[MonicaMc]

Something to keep in mind.... cockatiels shouldn't eat more than 50% of their diet as pellets. They still require seeds in their diets since they are seed eaters in the wild.



If someone put fried crickets, cooked snails, calamari and caviar in front of me, I'd probably not be able to eat it! And yet, these are all things that people do eat. The birds are probably thinking the same thing - they don't recognize fresh food as food that they would eat and it's edible so they'd rather eat what is familiar to them. When converting birds to different diets, you only need perseverance and creativity!

 

[lisascannell]

I am also trying to convert my cockatiels to pellets. I bought some crumbles today (crumbled pellets). The birds are going nuts like they are missing their drug! Not sure how this is going to work

 

[Brodie]

So basically when I converted my cockatiel he was obsessed with his seeds.I got the mash as well, mixed some with his seeds, then tried same brand in pellets, took him a while to get used to it but eventually had him eating pellets. Then I put the mash in with his veggies, and put the veggies in with the pellets, he ate them. Eventually I could separate the pellets and veggies. And completely eliminate the seed. and have the veggies with no mash. With scarlet I had to starve her for two days before she started to eat the pellets lol, they won't literally starve their self, if its the only thing there they will eat it when there hungry enough. But that's last resort. Above options and much never worked with her, she's very stubborn!