Grocery Bill?

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Now, maybe this is none of my business, but I'm just curious...I was examining our 'pet grocery bill' and have come to the conclusion that I am spending between $120 to $150 a month on the girls. Is this the average cost for other multiple parrot owners, or am I over or underspending?

(Trying to figure out how much two new additions are gonna up the food bills)

[Rue]

Hhmmm...not sure...we don't have as many big birds as you do...

...the bird products cost a fortune, but I've wised up and only give as much as I think they'll eat in a day...a big bag (~$22) will last me a good 2 months or even more (I should write it all down now that my routine is in place)...

I check 2X a day to make sure the pellets are always there...so I'm wasting MUCH less compared to what I was before...

I have a dish of Parrot gourmet 'diet'...the stuff with the seeds and dried fruit in it...on hand...but only outside the cage (i.e. on the playstand)...

...and I do buy frozen fruits and veggies in addition to fresh veggies...but they seem to prefer the fresh...but they eat what we eat, and they really only eat about as much as a 1 year old child, or less, all told, daily...so I don't even notice that amount...

...so let's see if I can estimate: I think around $53-55 for all 9 of our birds...

[DocT]

That does seem a bit high for feeding your birds. I also buy only fresh veggies and fruits. I think you have to ask yourself how much of this are they actually eating and how much is being thrown to the bottom of the cage. I have found with my birds if I put too big of a variety of foods in at one time it gets wasted. They will tend to dig out what they want and a lot of it is being thrown and not picked up. I started putting just 2-3 things in at a time and when I see they have eaten that then a couple more things go in. I know it takes more time but it was a good way for me to do it and they seemed to eat better.

Bonnie

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Well, now, I will add, it gets sort of complicated, as I have 4 large dogs (the smallest is the bassett at 65lbs and the largest is the Great Dane at 135 lbs) 4 cats (two of which are 20 and 17 lbs) and 4 LARGE goldfish (all 4 to 5 inches long) as well as the four Macaws, and all of them contribute to the decimation of the veggies. (even a goldfish can get some nutrition from a piece of carrot or a slice of banana)

My numbers aren't exact. Although yes, some of the food does get wasted. I could probably do better in that respect. I am also fanatical about fresh food removal. I won't let a piece stay in for longer than about 6 hours. It makes me nervous.

So, anyone have an idea what the estimate for feeding six macaws SHOULD be?

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Originally Posted by Rue

...so let's see if I can estimate: I think around $53-55 for all 9 of our birds...

Wow! I'd hate to tell anyone what the total food estimate was for ALL the animals at my house. Its quite ridiculous actually.

[ParrotletLover]

For pellets, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and treats, it usually costs me $50 a month. I only buy Lily organic food, so that's why it's a little more expensive. Of course it's just an estimate too and depends a lot on what I buy. She doesn't usually waste her food, though.

[Rue]

Well, that was just for the birds...we also have 2 indoor only cats, 2 dogs (on VERY expensive dog food)...2 Guinea Pigs, 2 lizards, 1 snake, 1 tropical tank, and one lonely goldfish (long story), lotsa horses and the working barn cats...

...the snake is remarkably expensive to feed...mice are $1.28 and she eats 3 at a sitting now...and sometimes she's NOT in a mood to eat, even after the mice have been thawed...so I have to toss them (LOL...that really hurts)...thankfully it's only every 7-14 days depending on her appetite...

...heh...a bit too many animals...but the kids are all home and interested so chores are spread around and easy...once the kids go, the number of critters I'm looking after will be less as well...

BTW...I'm very careful about fresh food stuffs, but not paranoid...it depends what it is...I often leave fresh carrots and peas in the cage overnight for example...

I do get more cautious during the summer heat waves though...

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Originally Posted by ParrotletLover

For pellets, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and treats, it usually costs me $50 a month. I only buy Lily organic food, so that's why it's a little more expensive. Of course it's just an estimate too and depends a lot on what I buy. She doesn't usually waste her food, though.

Well, that's another thing I didn't mention. I only by organic as well. Too scary to buy otherwise. Not too long ago I remember reading about people losing alot of birds because of something on some grapes that came from either central or south america.

[OwnedbyMacaws]

Originally Posted by Rue

Well, that was just for the birds...we also have 2 indoor only cats, 2 dogs (on VERY expensive dog food)...2 Guinea Pigs, 2 lizards, 1 snake, 1 tropical tank, and one lonely goldfish (long story), lotsa horses and the working barn cats...

...the snake is remarkably expensive to feed...mice are $1.28 and she eats 3 at a sitting now...and sometimes she's NOT in a mood to eat, even after the mice have been thawed...so I have to toss them (LOL...that really hurts)...thankfully it's only every 7-14 days depending on her appetite...

...heh...a bit too many animals...but the kids are all home and interested so chores are spread around and easy...once the kids go, the number of critters I'm looking after will be less as well...

BTW...I'm very careful about fresh food stuffs, but not paranoid...it depends what it is...I often leave fresh carrots and peas in the cage overnight for example...

I do get more cautious during the summer heat waves though...

Yeah, I know just what you mean. My dogs and cats eat Nutro and it ain't cheap. THe fish eat pro-gold and the birds eat kaytee.

I'm not complaining though. A better diet saves medical bills in the end because you have healthier animals.

[The Outlaw]

I'm really not sure since the fresh foods I feed the birds also feed the humans. I'd make a guess that somewhere between $30 and $40 a week for the 10 birds and I only have to buy dog food once a month. The dog food is $15.00 for 20 pounds. Of course, with produce popping up all over the neighborhood, my neighbors often give me squash, zucchini, beans and corn. I figure its probably about $250 a month.