Converting from seeds to pellets

[chao]

Hi there. I am trying to get my 6 lovebirds and 3 parakeets on a pellet diet. They are seed lovers and I can't stand them starving. Any tips on converting from a seed diet to a pellet diet? Thanks.

[PetriTheGreenCheek]

There are a ton of posts on this subject- you should really just poke around, you'll find tons of info.

The bottom line is people recommend several options:

1) Moisten pellets into a warmish mash- bird oatmeal type deal.

2) Slowly swithc out seed for pellets by percentages over a few weeks (week one- 25p/75s, week two- 50/50... etc).

3) Or, go hardcore, and remove all seed, leaving only pellets and LOTS of fresh foods.

[Xen]

If they have never had pellets before they might well starve themselves if you go cold turkey with them... I'd switch slowly over a few weeks.

[Xen]

Also leaving some seeds in their diet is a good thing, don't lose them alltogether.

[Polliwog]

Not to go too off topic from your question, but from what I read, converting to pellets may not be the best for budgies who are granivores anyways. For both birds, they would benefit from fresh foods added to their diet in the forms of greens and sprouts. Before I got my bird and was still doing research, I was set on converting to pellets. But now I am more concerned about increasing fresh foods and sprouts in his diet.

Whatever you do, take it slow. Presentation does matter as well as teaching them the items are food. Some ideas I came across are:
1. Using nutriberries as a transitional stage because it has some pellets in it. Though it might be switching to lafaber pellets.
2. Putting pellets in a separate bowl at the birds favorite perching location. Suggests the bird will try the item out of curiosity one day and learn it is food eventually.
3. Showing the bird how yummy the pellet is and offering (espeically if already hand tamed and curious in what you are eating).

I am sure there are a ton more tips. I read it is easier to convert a younger bird. If you can teach one of the birds in the cage, the others may follow. Good luck.

[Tom Lawless]

I have to admit. I've eaten my share of pellets to make the boys think they are sharing what I have. They always think they should have what I have.

It didn't work with Harrison pellets although I may try again since they have been eating the Harrison's high powered treats and the adult mash. A vet told me he recommends using the high powered treats to start moving them towards the Harrison's pellets.

[shosh]

My lovebirds take to the pellets well although I do give them seed as well and fresh veggies and fruit.
I tried converting the budgies to pellets numerous times and I had hungry budgies....I tried every method available and they HATED the pellets. So , they eat seeds and greens and seem perfectly healthy.
Seeds are NOT as evil as some say.....especially if you get a high quality, organic seed mix with lots of different types of seed and try and avoid that ones with lots of additives and colours. ( you'll have to do some searching there...not easy to find--there are some good online companies you can order from)
If you can't switch, I'd rather see you feed a good quality seed than see stressed out, starving budgies. And, if you do manage a switch, a little seed added to any pelleted diet is good for variety and nutrition.
Just always remember the dark leafy greens....swiss chard, collard, kale, spinach...lots of calcium and vit.A

[hollmer]

I switched to pellet several years ago and when I took in my Blue and Gold last November she was on a seed diet and not a great quality one, I started by mixing some pellet into a small amount of seed and observed to make sure she was trying it, everyday I gave a little more pellet and a little less seed, in less than two weeks she was completely on pellet, she now weighs the proper weight again, and her color has improved. the most important thing is to monitor the intact to make sure they are eating it and not picking it out, My first Macaw was on seed at the recommendation of the breeder and vet, the one I used had some pellet in it, but he got to the point that he would one eat the green pellets and the sunflower seeds, I ended up switching him cold turkey and I just offered a lot of fruits and veggies during the transition to make sure he was eating something, he would eat the green pellets than through his bowl on the floor for about two weeks and finally got over it and started eating all the pellets

[HEATHEsaurusREX]

Also try using a size smaller. My budgies and many others I know of wouldnt eat budgie sized pellets but they really like finch sized pellets. Also if the refuse out and out you can grind the pellets up into a powder in a food processor and put the on your birds veggies and they'll eat them by accident :)

[chao]

Thanks alot. I will try out these methods and see what happens.