Which pellets???

[debelm2]

Hi everyone. Was wondering if some of you can help me. I am trying to decide which brand of pellets I should give Tonka. Has there been a post on this before? I know they should only be a very small percentage of an eclectus diet and I know they should have as little additives or colorings as possible but what brand is the most popular or are there any I should really stay away from? Any help would be great. Thank you.

[txbird]

Foundation Formula Spicer Blend is good for eclectus. Doesn't have any artificial junk and is not fortified. Avoid any pellets with spirulina, coloring, & fortified with vitamins. And definitely visit the Land Of Vos web site for more specific eclectus info.

[pbinva]

Definately NO additives or colorings, vitamins.....Peeka's breeder had him on TOPs Pellets so I have just continued with those - although I bought a bag in Dec. when we brought him home and we haven't even come close to using up the 2 lb bag.

[hugs28]

So I guess the zupreem fruit blend is not good? I give that to all my birds. Where can I get this other stuff, cause I have been giving to my ekkie also and mine is only a day older then debs. thanks for the info

[jimpierce7]

colored pellets may cause discolorization of the feathers. If your bird is not sensitive to it, Spirolina is ok and good for them. I use a lot of different pellets to keep Sophie used to change. TOP, Foundation Formula are good. Sophie has had no problem with Roudybush, Zupreem naturals. This is Sophie's favorite!! PARADISE ULTIMATE BLEND - BIRD PARADISE BLENDS by Bird Paradise

these went over real good as well. PARADISE ULTIMATE BLEND - BIRD PARADISE BLENDS by Bird Paradise

[debelm2]

I am going to have to look for them too. I haven't even heard of these brands. Does this mean Kaytee exact oringinal pellets is out?????????? I buy it in the 40 lb. bag for Mickey and put it in big plastic buckets to keep better, so I don't have the bag for the list of ingredients. Well back to more research!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks everyone.

[hugs28]

I LOVE bird paradise, we visited the store for the first time the day I picked up PoGo, of course we went to the bird store first lol. It is HUGE and LOTS of babies to play with and what not. They have great items, sales etc... but its 2 hours away :(

[debelm2]

I have been trying to come up with some ideas of things that I can do now to help make things easier on Tonka as he gets older and I was hoping that some of you out there might have more ideas. A few I have read about or have come up with so far:

1. Play and touch his feet and wings now so that he is comfortable with this to make it easier to do trims as he gets older.

2. Purchasing a harness now and just start trying to put it on him so that when he is old enough for it, it won't frighten him.

3. Getting him use to a many people and situations as possible.

4. The usual "as many different foods as possible" so he eats a better variety.

5. Lots of different toys now so they don't scare him later.

6. Don't be afraid to have "noisey" times so noises won't scare him.

7. Getting him use to water (showers, baths, misting)

Does anyone else have ideas or thoughts on things that they did or wished were done with their ekkies when they were babies that would have helped make things a little easier now? Thanks for any help.

[debelm2]

I meant to start the above post as a "new" post but goofed. Sorry about that. I knew I would mess up sooner or later!!!!!! Does any one know how to correct this or do I just leave it here? Either way would still like any ideas. :)

[hugs28]

I would say yes to all, accept the last, only cause he is not fully feathered and its still cold out. I could be wrong however, and if this is the case, I should start doing so with the misting/showers also. I don't know about tonka, but PoGo stinks from being on the same level as his poop and stuff, no matter how many times I clean the box, it still gets on his feet
I have been already putting a leash on my guy, he has no problems with it at all. The guy we got them from was telling me, that he plays with feet, toes, wings, beak, every feather etc... this way they get used to the handling. I do the same with pogo, I lift his wings to show how pretty he is etc....

I just don't know about the bathing thing yet, at what age is ok? and how do you introduce it?