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Post by eunoia93 on Jun 29, 2015 9:47:11 GMT -5
So I recently found this avian pet store near me that I'm really excited about. The guy who owned it is also a breeder and had many interesting birds. What was funny though is he said he knew the lady who worked at the other pet store where I got my Quaker parrot. Apparently, they had some disagreements about diets for birds and he said he didn't like to feed them pellets (whereas she did), and said that only organic cold-pressed pellets were worth giving to birds and that regular ones weren't actually that nutritious.. He says he feeds his birds tons of fresh foods + nuts and seeds.
I know the general consensus seems to be that pellet diets are more complete than seed diets but what are your guys opinion on "cold-pressed" pellets vs your typical dry pellet food? Is there really much evidence for regular pellet food not being as nutritious as people say it is? Also, what tends to be the difference between cheaper pellets versus more expensive brands?
I'm just wondering because I'm trying to figure out what to feed my parrot who is still being hand fed. He eats millet, various greens, and seeds, as well as his formula, and noms a bit on his zupreem fruit blend (that the lady who sold my parrot to me recommended) but seems to like that the least and barely touches it.
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Post by easttex on Jun 29, 2015 10:04:31 GMT -5
I don't know the first thing about cold-pressed pellets, but I am very comfortable with some of the name brand foods. I like Harrison's first, primarily because they are organic. If more brightly colored pellets appeal more to a bird, I would go with Higgins InTune, as both the flavor and colors are from natural sources. Roudybush California blend is pretty well liked here. You may have to try different ones to see how your guy likes them, and it may take a while for him to accept any. Personally, I'm not confident in my ability to calculate correctly when it comes to providing nutrition to my birds. There are many variables that are not obvious, such as the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus. I would go with an avian vet's recommendation over anyone else's.
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Post by aaron on Jun 29, 2015 19:30:18 GMT -5
What brand of pellets is cold pressed? I would be curious to look into those. I don't know anything about that, but we too use Harrison's primarily because they are organic. I personally am skeptical of any processed food being the staple of any creature's diet, and pellets are certainly quite processed. I do think they are better than seeds by a lot, but they are woefully inadequate without substantial intake of fresh foods, mostly vegetables. If I wasn't nervous about growing them incorrectly, I would probably move cupcake to a fully sprouted diet and I still may once I have a bit more time to figure it out.
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Post by eunoia93 on Jun 30, 2015 15:36:43 GMT -5
What brand of pellets is cold pressed? I would be curious to look into those. I don't know anything about that, but we too use Harrison's primarily because they are organic. I personally am skeptical of any processed food being the staple of any creature's diet, and pellets are certainly quite processed. I do think they are better than seeds by a lot, but they are woefully inadequate without substantial intake of fresh foods, mostly vegetables. If I wasn't nervous about growing them incorrectly, I would probably move cupcake to a fully sprouted diet and I still may once I have a bit more time to figure it out. He didn't say, and I think I will go back and ask him if he knows any. It sounds interesting to me as well. Online I found "TOP's Cold-Pressed Organic Pellets Bird Food" but I wouldn't buy that without a recommendation of some sort. Does "fully sprouted" mean all fresh food you've grown? |
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Post by aaron on Jun 30, 2015 21:47:10 GMT -5
Interesting, I will look into those TOP's pellets. Here's an example of a fully sprouted diet-- I've been intrigued by this for a while: www.chinaprairie.com/afd.html |
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Post by easttex on Jul 1, 2015 5:36:28 GMT -5
I considered Top's some years ago, but liked the fact Harrison's was certified organic by the USDA. It's a lot of trouble to get that certification. Top's was not certified, at least not then. Aaron, that is interesting. Have you spoken with your vet about that diet? I'd be curious to hear what that community thinks about it. Having to add a nutritional supplement to it gives me a little pause, but I'm open to learning more about it.  |
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Post by aaron on Jul 1, 2015 7:40:06 GMT -5
I have not spoken with the vet about this diet, but I am going to be seeing them again in 2 weeks, so I will plan to mention it then. I agree, the need for a supplement is a little offputting, but the overall concept really does seem like a good one, so I definitely want to learn more as well. |
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Post by julianna on Jul 1, 2015 12:45:36 GMT -5
There is a pet store here that recommends his pellets over any other however, I have found out that his pellets (although suppose to be organic) go stale very quickly and can cause illness. I stuck to the Harrison and never had a problem.
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Post by aaron on Jul 1, 2015 13:27:58 GMT -5
On some level, I would think that the fact that they spoil quickly probably means that they are less processed overall, and maybe more nutrient rich as a result, but I can certainly understand why one would not want that risk factor.
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Post by eunoia93 on Jul 1, 2015 21:18:22 GMT -5
I have not spoken with the vet about this diet, but I am going to be seeing them again in 2 weeks, so I will plan to mention it then. I agree, the need for a supplement is a little offputting, but the overall concept really does seem like a good one, so I definitely want to learn more as well. I would love to know what a vet says about it as well! It looks really cool and adds an interesting dimension to feeding your bird. |
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Post by eunoia93 on Jul 1, 2015 21:19:05 GMT -5
There is a pet store here that recommends his pellets over any other however, I have found out that his pellets (although suppose to be organic) go stale very quickly and can cause illness. I stuck to the Harrison and never had a problem. May I ask what kind of illness? Like throwing up and stuff? |
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Post by julianna on Jul 2, 2015 16:15:12 GMT -5
Actually I was told that the birds who ate the stale pellets were lifeless, threw up and unfortunately died very quickly after. It was almost a poison. Remember this is hear say... and I never experienced it.
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Post by bruce on Aug 14, 2015 20:28:07 GMT -5
I switched my QP to Harrison's Avian Formula when I took over his care two years ago after my Mother went into nursing home. He has finally successfully molted with healthy feathers for first time in years. He has energy, is much less prone to bite, and is much chattier. I supplement with fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked vegetables, and a hint of egg. He also enjoys a taste of poached or baked fish once in a while. All in all very pleased with results. Note, I do keep the formula in packaging in freezer per company directions/suggestions. My vet recommends all companion birds have pelleted diet, with appropriate treats/supplemental food. He is pleased with how much healthier Chuck (my QP) has become.
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Post by easttex on Aug 15, 2015 6:41:19 GMT -5
That is great, Bruce. Was he on another pellet or were they completely new to him? I've been giving Peppy three different types of pellets, hoping he will pick one, and I think he has taken to Roudybush California Blend. I'd like him to like Harrison's, but it's certainly better than his previous diet. He loves fruit, but not veggies. How did Chuckie take to the veggies?
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Post by bruce on Aug 15, 2015 17:19:20 GMT -5
He enjoys carrots, spinach (boiled), dark green and purple lettuce, peas, beans, mashed potatoes. He watches what I eat, and tries things I appear to like (for healthy items I make him a small dish imitating what I am eating). I have heard good things about roudybosh, Chuck just turned his beak up at it. I always crush a small amount sugar and corn syrup free organic cereal into the pellets, which I grind in a blender for him (he will not crush or break up any larger food items). I try to rotate what veggies and fruits he gets - for anything canned it is really important to wash any sugar solution off the fruit, as sugar can lead to some serious health problems per experts. A current favorite fruit is a slice of banana. He shakes all over and gives his happy gurgle/screech when he sees it on a dish bound for his bird condo. My mother went in for a huge house for him, following a bird behavior book recommendation, I have created zones within the condo so he can have a I'm napping, leave me alone space, a lets play space, and a I might visit you space at the front of the house. Seems to make him a lot more secure emotionally. Good luck with Peppy and finding a healthful and fun diet for him.
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