help with her food

[furley]

Hi people new to the game here and I have a few? I am trying to change my birds food, I have a 3 year old female named sako, that I got off a friend that could not keep any more, she has been brought up on Zupreem fruit blend with natural fruit flavours and I think she is addicted to the sugar in it. I tried Harrison high potency fine, and no go, now I am trying pretty bird species specific, and she not liking that. I just introduced millet to her and know after 5 days of looking at it she devours it, how much of that is to much. She also loves almonds and grapes, how much of that is to much? I try to give her lots of different veggis to try as I am a vegetarian but because she was never giving any of that she not liking that to much. From what I read you want 70% to come from a good pellet source, Correct? She has a bit of a plucking thing going on neck only, I have forging toys for her and I put her old food in that along with other food ,so she has to work for it, and I leave the new food in food bowl but she seems not to eat any out of it. I am worried that she is not eating enough now. So over the long run is this Zupreem fruit blend with natural fruit flavours a good thing to keep her on, or should I be trying to get her on a better source of food. I don’t like the idea of feeding here dyes and unnatural stuff that they add to this. Any suggestion on this is appreciated

[judygram]

I assume you are talking about an african grey so here is the truth, pellets do not have to constitute that much of her diet, in fact if they don't get any pellets they can still be healthy if they have a well balanced diet with a variety of foods. A good seed mix to start off with so keep that in the cage at all times then offer lots of vegetable, preferably leafy green ones, you can offer a little fruit a couple of times a week but not every day as it has too much sugar in it, include some grains, legumes, a little pasta from time to time, maybe the equivalent of one egg a week but not all at the same time, some chicken or fish occasionally even a chicken bone from baked chicken, not fried and a little yogurt or cheddar cheese is ok several times a week. Be sure to check out the bird food room for lots of threads with ideas of what to offer and what not to.

[Greywings]

Fresh is best, clean fresh seed can be mixed with some finely chopped veggies-beet tops, kale, mustard greens what ever you choose organic is suggested. You can add some bright colored peppers, carrots, sweet potato to add beta carotene's chop all very small and mix with what she is used to then she will taste some and eventually learn to appreciate a new healthy foods. Make a small amount and refrigerate any remainders no longer than 3 days.

[Muse]

I assume you are talking about an african grey so here is the truth, pellets do not have to constitute that much of her diet, *** in fact if they don't get any pellets they can still be healthy if they have a well balanced diet with a variety of foods. *** A good seed mix to start off with so keep that in the cage at all times then offer lots of vegetable, preferably leafy green ones, you can offer a little fruit a couple of times a week but not every day as it has too much sugar in it, include some grains, legumes, a little pasta from time to time, maybe the equivalent of one egg a week but not all at the same time, some chicken or fish occasionally even a chicken bone from baked chicken, not fried and a little yogurt or cheddar cheese is ok several times a week. Be sure to check out the bird food room for lots of threads with ideas of what to offer and what not to.

 

Emphasis mine - I agree! We do not feed pellets here. When a bird comes in on pellets we slowly wean them over to a natural diet. We feed a high percentage of fresh along with a mix that consists not just of seed, but of dehydrated fruits, veggies and greens. Megan has been pellet free since she was a baby, and her last three physicals have been great.

 

I don't like the fact that most pellets contain menadione, something I eliminated from my dogs' and cats' diets years ago - only to find out they were putting it in bird pellets. The few that don't have it (so far I have only found Harrisons, Goldenfeast Golden'obles and TOP pellets) have other things I am not sure I want to feed my birds. Many are mostly corn or soy. Some contain peanuts. I found it easier to just not feed processed foods like pellets and go with pure, natural foods and give lots of variety. Our vet said make sure we give the Greys figs. She said they have a lot of things that are good for them.

Edited June 25, 2014 by Muse
Clarification and typo

[furley]

Thank you all, this helps, yes Sako is a three year old female gray that I have taken over from good friend that could not give her enough time.and I just want to try to give her the best chance at a healthy life, starting with nutrition,She just started to eat millet and was wondering is this good for her,because she seems to like a lot,I am trying pretty bird pellets any thoughts on this brand?as i know it well be a slow proses to wean her off,but she seems not to like this one ether.