Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 3/6/2007

Question
Chyrs,  thanks so much for your prompt response.  I guess the problem could be
the diet, though I have tried to give the best diet available as well as fruits
& veggies (though they are picky about them).  Is hand feeding all birds about
the same?  I ask because I have never hand fed a bird but I have a friend that
just finished hand feeding a love bird (that is now on seed, fruits & veggies).
Is the procedure the same?  As far as the parents not feeding enough, that could
be true.  The female takes longer breaks outside the nestbox now, but that is
also due to the age of the babies I would guess.  She is always eating (as I put
fresh food several times a day) and he is always feeding her.  I don't think it
is poor diet, but the dad is young, under a year.  It wasn't a planned thing, at
least until he was older.  As you said, it could be a number of things.  

One other thing, what are the top 3 feeds that you would recommend.  I like the
Kaytee Exact Rainbow pelleted, but have a problem getting my parakeets and
cockatiels to change over.  My finches changed over wonderfully and are fed the
Kaytee Exact Rainbow pellets exclusively (no seeds) plus fruits and veggies.
With 3 varieties of birds (parakeets-cockatiels and finches) what feeds would
you recommend?  I want what is best for my babies and there are so many
different feeds/brands and all seem pretty much the same.


Answer
Hi again, BK.  

Yes, the process is the same for all parrots.  

I've used Zupreem fruit blend pellets for many years with very good results.  My parrots don't seem to like Kaytee Exact Rainbow pellets or Prettybird pelleted food.  You have to feed what your birds like and will eat.  Some birds don't like certain brands for whatever reason, so you might need to try different brands.  If you keep seed in the cage at the same time as the pelleted food, your birds will most likely always choose the seed over the pelleted food.  

All your birds can eat the same brand name of pelleted food (if they all like the same brand), but you will most likely have to buy different sizes of these brands as the keets need smaller pellets than the tiels and the finches need even smaller pellets than the keets.  If your birds won't eat the Kaytee, you'll need to try a different brand(s).  Also, try to get your birds to eat cooked brown rice with veggie mixed in.  All my keets and tiels love this.  They also love corn bread, multigrain/whole grain dry, sugarless, healthy/nutritional cereals, greens, etc.

Chrys