Take the seed away, or feed as treat?

[sharpchick]

My budgies are reliably eating pellets now (yesssssssssssssss!!).

Do I take the seed away completely (they still prefer it)? Just offer it as a treat, like I do millet and the seed/fruit treat sticks? Take it away after they start eating fresh veggies (`sigh`are they ever gonna do that)? :eusa_wall

[The Outlaw]

Your birds need seeds, too. I would offer them seed as treats or only a few times a week. Continue trying to offer veggies. It makes for beautiful feathers.

THE OUTLAW

[VeraT]

Knowing I'm going to hear it I have to ask.
Whats the big thing about pellets? Mine dont eat them. all they eat are seeds and vegies. I figure and my vet agree's that if they are getting a good natural diet ( pellets dont grow out side of factories) they are getting a healthy diet. Why are you so happy your bird wants processed food ( like McDonnalds) over natural seeds and fresh vegies? Instant isnt better.

[Joel]

Sharpchick.........I'm with Vera & Nancy on this. Seeds and veggies and other natural healthy foods is the way to go IMO. I sometimes offer Z.F.B. Pellets also, only because I have some around all the time for a few pigeons & doves & my Tiels love them also. I occassionally throw in a small handful to my other flock members but I would never train any bird to only eat pellets.

Originally Posted by VeraT

Knowing I'm going to hear it I have to ask.
Whats the big thing about pellets? Mine dont eat them. all they eat are seeds and vegies. I figure and my vet agree's that if they are getting a good natural diet ( pellets dont grow out side of factories) they are getting a healthy diet. Why are you so happy your bird wants processed food ( like McDonnalds) over natural seeds and fresh vegies? Instant isnt better.

[Monica]

I wouldn't stick to the all pellet diet as generally speaking they are just as bad as seeds. Keep trying with the fresh foods, cutting it up, slicing it, leaving it whole, weaving it between the cage bars, or hanging it up like a toy! The most naturalist diet with the least amount of seed is best however not everyone can feed that.

Vera, think about cat and dog food as far as pellets go. Bird pellets is just processed food, which is the SAME EXACT thing as cat and dog food! A cats 'natural diet' would consist of mice, insects, and birds. A dogs 'natural diet' doens't excist however as they have been far too domesticated for them to be close to having a natural diet, so ancestorially speaking, natural diet would consist of berries, elk and deer meet, mice, etc.

Simply put, pellets is a way to feed a diet that has 'enrichments' added to try to enhance the health of the birds themselves. Too much of this stuff still leads to major problems. In the least bit, I had found a company that sells 'all natural' dog food (made of mostly fresh foods) and the people who own the company report longer and healthier dogs that are more energetic.

It's just better to feed a diet that has some of both seeds and pellets, if the bird refuses to eat anything else. Persistance however CAN pay off in the end even if it takes years for it to happen. The results as well pay off far better to see a healthier happier bird that can't wait to eat its fresh foods!

[VeraT]

Its like pulling teeth to get my dog to eat dog food. She is kind of spoiled. But all pet food- even seed gets processed now unless you go out and pick seed which I dont think is too good an idea. We have a lot of wild millet plants around here but we also have Exxon up the street and Dow Chemical that we are always at war with over thier pollution emisions so I really wouldnt dare feed them anything "fresh picked" from around here. :aiwebs_01

[unger]

I'm really new at birdie raising (I've only had mine 3 weeks) but I tried a few different fruits and veggies and holy moly my guy loves shredded carrot! Took it the first time I offered. He hasn't touched the brocolli, kiwi or others I've left for him. Sometimes his poor little head is tinged orange from 'digging in'. He does seem to eat all the varieties of seed in the seed mix I give him. Perhaps I am lucky?

[Monica]

Try feeding him various colored fruits and veggies that are mainly orange (carrot, sweet potato, bell peppers) or even yellow items! Maybe he'll take to trying more!

[VeraT]

If he likes red watch him around the koolaid LOL. Mine love to get into the red kind and take a bath resulting in - you got it - red birds LOL and it dosnt wash off

[bbabcock]

I agree to being as natural as possible. But I just can't get my keets to eat any kind of veggie or friut. They only like the the seed mix. I like some of the ideas from some of you, I will try again!