Aussie Finch Forum

#Parrot, #Cockatoo diets: pellets vs seeds; what do you use? My view: http://bitly.com/N9rApf

My Black Cap Conures are the only ones that will take pellets , they have pellet / seed and fruit / veg .
All else is a waste of time giving pellets so they are on seed / fruit / veg .

I would like them all on pellet and one day will get around to the changeover just don't need the stress of worrying about them not eating enough this side of breeding season .

Vetafarm has a goo range of pellets that are easily sourced around here .

Tropican are also good just cost a fortune in freight for me ....Also love the Pretty Bird foods , used them a bit before Priam starting whacking on $10 handling fee which on top of postage is too costly .

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. enjoy, Frank

Hi Frank,

My take on pellets is that they are a more balanced basis for a diet than are seeds for the reasons you mentioned.

People often reply by saying "they're not natural". News flash people: no parrot has evolved to eat sunflower,safflower, canary seed or millets- these are our domesticated take on wild seeds. They are not natural either.

On the other side of the coin, we do not completely understand the dietary requirements for any parrot species. We are very close for some, further away for others. Therefore no pellet can provide "complete nutrition" for any species, and should never be used as the sole diet for any bird.

I think they are a great idea for pet birds, again as a basis for the diet (60-70%), and the rest should be a good mix of vegetables,legumes, wild seeding grasses/greens & fruits;

For primarily granivorous species like budgies and cockatiels I also believe they should get some seed regularly eg 10-20% of the diet.

The incidence of nutritional disease has dramatically decreased in birds fed pellet-based diets as compared to those fed seed-based diets. This trend has been noticed the world over.

Well put, thanks very much. Yes, "natural" is a very misunderstood concept. I've worked in giant multimillion dollar zoo exhibits - some do a nice job in certain ways, but they are no more like a rainforest or riverbank than is Times Square! We do our best, but fooling ourselves only clouds important husbandry and conservation issues. Stay well, Frank

Yep well said Myzo .
From the average consumers point of view I see it as no different to basing your dog / cat / rabbits diet on pellets .
The good ones can and will cover all the nutritional needs of the critter they are designed for thus ...peace of mind , of course there is n o substitute for fresh fruit and veg .

Good point, thank you. In the zoo world we have pellets for zebras, leaf-eating monkeys. red pandas, ostriches and just about everything in-between! As you say, we vary, both for nutrition and to keep the animals occupied. Best regards, Frank