Quaker Nutrition

[DAislandR]

So, I know that a well rounded diet of pellets and fresh fruits/vegetables is most important for our feathered babies but my question is...
Is there a particular ratio of these nutrients that Quakers are supposed to have on a daily basis? I know with Eclectus, the ratio is no less than 60% fresh and 40% pellet. (Some say 80:20) Is there a quideline for Quakers?
Also, how does everyone feel about Tropimix for Small Parrots?
What are some of your favorite pellet brands and what seems to be the "tried and true" diet plan for these precious babies?
(I have done so much research online that I am overwhelmed with "expert" opinion. I would like the advice and opinions of my fellow parrot peers.)

 

[DAislandR]

I think I found it. 80% pellet and 20% fresh foods.... The exact opposite of the Ekkie.
Anyone agree or disagree with this ratio?

 

[Carl_Power]

All my Quaker research suggests 70% nutrition from pellets, then 20% fresh foods, 10% grains and lentils. My Parrot eats Zupreem natural pellets x

 

[Carl_Power]

Zupreem, Rhoudybush, Harrisons are some of the best pellet brands, one bag will last a Quaker months so its worth the cash x

 

[Carl_Power]

I'm wandering if I can improve Xanders diet.

He is certainly a fussy eater especially when it comes to veggies. I have tried so many vegetables so many different ways and seems he only likes corn from a cob.

In a normal day he will eat a good spoon or 2 of pellets, one corn on a cob, a normal size spoon of varied fruits and a couple of nuts and lentils and some oats then he gets pumpkin seeds and millet as treats and a little of whatever I eat if its safe and he does like a little toasted bread crust too. Just doesn't want the veggies, ive cooked normal, boiled, steamed, thawed from frozen, offered them fresh, soaked them in a little fruit juice, put treats in them, it aint happening lol so id appreciate any advice on getting more veggies into my little fussy bum. Reading some threads lately about birds with some calcium issues has kind of got me thinking and I know veggies especially leafy greens offer the most. Thank you x

 

[cnyguy]

You seem to be doing all the usual things to try to find some vegetables that your parrot will eat. Have you tried eating some of the same foods you're offering so your parrot can watch you eating them? If you do that, act like it's the most delicious food you've ever tasted. Parrots will usually want to try whatever their human companions enjoy eating. No guarantee that your QP won't still reject things though. Aside from that, don't give up. It's taken me months sometimes to get Ralph the QP to even try some foods (and Scooter the CAG is even fussier than Ralph).

 

[Carl_Power]

Thankyou. Yes i have tried that too. I havent tried birdie bread yet though. Ill try it and keep trying x

 

[flyingron]

My vet says as long as Bacca has a primary diet of RoudyBush (we use the minis for her), she can have whatever else she has an inkling for. Bacca gets a tiny amount of seed for breakfast along with a slide of apple (and if she plays her cards right a tidbit of my toast) and then gets pellets for the rest of the day ot her than an occassional mango treat or a pistachio.

Amusingly, she's very time oriented. After she eats breakfast. She'll throw the seed bowl (even if it still has seed in it), she wants her pellets. She'll squawk around our dinner time for something else.

I've always found it strange that she likes eggs.

She's a hoot with the pistachio. If we give her one that the crack isn't enough for her to open she'll bring it over and drop it at our feet like "you open it." She also saves the shells somewhere. Occassionally, she'll come drop an empty shell at my feet wanting a new one.

 

[GEORGIEBOY]

My Quaker eats more seeds than pellets.
He is very stubborn when it comes to pellets. I have even gone to great length, eating the pellets myself(doesn’t taste all that bad), hoping he would see how delicious it is. Monkey see Monkey do, did not work in this case. Please help. How can I get him to eat more pellets. He is one of those feather friend who is stuck in his ways.

 

[cnyguy]

You might try softening some pellets in water or unsweetened fruit juice and offering them that way. That sometimes works with parrots unused to eating pellets. Just add enough water or juice to moisten the pellets and let them sit just long enough to soak up the liquid. Though they eat dry pellets, both my parrots enjoy the softened ones too.