Pellets

[kme3388]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all of the parrot tips over the years. I appreciate it. I haven’t done much for research on pellets for parrots. I’ve just followed a vet recommended pellet. The pellets I give my parrots has gotten so expensive. It was only $30 when I originally started purchasing it in 2022. It’s $50 per 5lbs bag now. I have to buy 2 bags a month. On top of all of the other parrot expenses I have it really starts to add up. Does anyone have pellets that their parrots actually eat that isn’t full of corn, or as its first ingredient? Some of these pellets on the market make me wonder why I don’t just give them lucky charms for breakfast. They are about as healthy. I have some really picky eaters in my flock to top it off. I just want to find a pellet that they will accept, that is at least somewhat healthy for a decent price. Does anyone make things at home for their parrots?

 

[AprilRobin]

Pellets are actually a topic of debate among bird owners. Many owners don't feed pellets - they feed quality seed mix, plenty of vegetables, fruit, and some nuts. Others believe that pellets are important for making sure that your birds get enough nutrition.

I've met / read comments by people who do things both ways. They have healthy, happy birds who do or do not eat pellets. One thing I've noticed is that pellets seem to be more popular in the USA. I go to another forum that has more members from the UK, and many of those users don't bother with pellets.

 

[kme3388]

Pellets are actually a topic of debate among bird owners. Many owners don't feed pellets - they feed quality seed mix, plenty of vegetables, fruit, and some nuts. Others believe that pellets are important for making sure that your birds get enough nutrition.

I've met / read comments by people who do things both ways. They have healthy, happy birds who do or do not eat pellets. One thing I've noticed is that pellets seem to be more popular in the USA. I go to another forum that has more members from the UK, and many of those users don't bother with pellets.

I watch Clarkson’s farm. Both myself, and my husband have families with farmers, or previous farmers. It’s so strange to us how many regulations they have. I’ve seen a few people on here from the UK, and want to ask why to learn but feel rude doing so encase it’s a sore subject. We throw up huge ugly windmills everywhere where I am at. I was just complaining to my husband how they are an eye sore driving out in the country to look at, and I didn’t see them on the Clarkson’s Farm TV show. The insults people give each other in other countries are so friendly too. Calling someone a dimwit sounds friendly in comparison to what we say here at times. It’s just differences in cultures. I find it interesting. I’m sheltered

 

[TiredOldMan]

If you are referring to Harrison's the adult lifetime lists corn as the first ingredient. The high potency has corn listed third.
Tops has no corn but I can't get my exotic chickens to eat it. Plus you're not going to save much $ over Harrison's.
Roudybush is very economical but again corn is the first ingredient.
I agree with you I would like to have full control over the amount of corn in their diet as corn is high in fat and sugar and low in nutritional value.
We raise corn as 2/3 of the farm is planted in corn and 1/3 in wheat and I like to see a robust market for the product.
However in my opinion a high corn diet is probably no better than a seed diet.....maybe worse.

 

[kme3388]

If you are referring to Harrison's the adult lifetime lists corn as the first ingredient. The high potency has corn listed third.
Tops has no corn but I can't get my exotic chickens to eat it. Plus you're not going to save much $ over Harrison's.
Roudybush is very economical but again corn is the first ingredient.
I agree with you I would like to have full control over the amount of corn in their diet as corn is high in fat and sugar and low in nutritional value.
We raise corn as 2/3 of the farm is planted in corn and 1/3 in wheat and I like to see a robust market for the product.
However in my opinion a high corn diet is probably no better than a seed diet.....maybe worse.

Dealing with a corn (sugar filled) hormonal macaw is at the bottom of the list of things I want to deal with. It’s not fun. I need to find something I can make, that or find pellets that are healthier. At a reasonable price too. I’m not having luck.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

My Grey is on Tropican, and my cockatiel, pionus, and conure are all on Zupreem's fruit blend. They're not the greatest brands, but they're affordable.

 

[AprilRobin]

My Grey is on Tropican, and my cockatiel, pionus, and conure are all on Zupreem's fruit blend. They're not the greatest brands, but they're affordable.

I've read a few Amazon reviews/comments by owners who feed Fruit Blend because a vet recommended it. I've had a couple of questionable experiences with vets, but if the birds want to eat a certain food and the vet also supports it, fantastic!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I've read a few Amazon reviews/comments by owners who feed Fruit Blend because a vet recommended it. I've had a couple of questionable experiences with vets, but if the birds want to eat a certain food and the vet also supports it, fantastic!

Now I don't feel so guilty! My avian vet really push Harrison's, but they have a deal or something with them. le sigh.

 

[Thechoplady]

I used to feed Topps but stopped feeding pellets a couple of years ago. Wish I could be more help. I would stay away from the high potency stuff as I believe that can make hormonal issues worse. If im not mistaken i thought that stuff was pretty calorie dense.

 

[AprilRobin]

What annoys me about Tops is the owners who act like no other bird food is acceptable - your bird must eat pellets and it really should be Tops pellets. Tops is a fine food and I highly respect the company for caring about our birds. However, I don't think this one brand should "own" our ability to feed our birds.

Also, I don't want my pets to depend on foods that I can only buy online. No store anywhere near me sells Tops, Harrisons, or Roudybush. Sure, I could order a bunch and stock up sometimes, but I always want the option to grab some food from a nearby store if necessary.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Also, I don't want my pets to depend on foods that I can only buy online. No store anywhere near me sells Tops, Harrisons, or Roudybush. Sure, I could buy a bunch and stock up sometimes, but I always want the option to grab some food from a nearby store if necessary.

This is why I feed Zupreem. It's easy to find, and most of the major pet store chains sell it.

 

[kme3388]

I am pretty particular about my parrots diet because I’d prefer to not deal with hormones if I can avoid it, or dissipate it. My larger parrot can be dangerous when he bites. There are people that have had facial reconstruction due to large parrot bites. They aren’t fun to train with, or handle when they are “moody”. I wouldn’t judge someone else for how they feed their parrots. We all have different preferences, but the goal is always the same.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Mariah stumbles when she walks in her bin and gets up on her low perch stand, the kind you put on a scale to weigh your bird. She's eating and I cleaned her vent again this morning a bit. She has very long fluffy feathers so poop can get trapped there easily when they're not grooming themselves very well. I'm just hoping she regains some strength.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Oops. Wrong post. Sorry.

 

[kme3388]

Mariah stumbles when she walks in her bin and gets up on her low perch stand, the kind you put on a scale to weigh your bird. She's eating and I cleaned her vent again this morning a bit. She has very long fluffy feathers so poop can get trapped there easily when they're not grooming themselves very well. I'm just hoping she regains some strength.

I hope she gains strength as well. I’m sorry she isn’t feeling any better.

 

[kme3388]

I got some Tops pellets today. Blue aka Thug ate them, Nico is standing over them staring at them, Kiwi made a nest of them in her food bowl, and Charlie is screaming at them. It’s so odd how different parrots react to the exact same food.