Parrotlet/Changing over to pellets

[Snoffie]

I am new to parrotlets (but have owned other birds). I just purchased my baby "Nacho" this past week (6 weeks old). Before I got him I did a lot of research but I guess you can never do enough (lol). He was already eating seeds and I would like to slowly put him on pellets. He will have no part in that! He throws the pellets and anything else mixed with his food out to the bottom of his cage. He also doesn't like sunflower seeds. Any advice on getting him switched over would be appreciated.
Also, he doesn't play or anything (he does have toys). He mostly just sits there or eats. Perhaps he is still adjusting but I was wondering if this is normal? He also has weird chirping habits. Somedays he will chirp or tweet a lot then others he want make a sound. I was told he was handfed, but he is has been terrified of being held. I have worked very hard over the past week and finally have him to where I can get him to step up and he will sit comfortably on my shoulder. I am amazed at just how smart these little guys are! He also already knows what "no" means!

[Monica]

You may have better luck checking out this forum.... Parrotlets - BirdBoard.Com - Parrot Message Board & Pet Bird Owner Forums

And perhaps checking out some of these threads as well!
What should I be feeding my parrotlet?
Food
Bird Safe Fresh Foods & Toxic Food Lists + Sprouts
Pellets & Mutations

[chapala]

You might want to check in at Talk Parrotlets forum - lots of P'let specific information there. I advise taking it slowly with handling, and using small pieces of millet spray as a reward. No forcing at all, and pretty soon, he will be delighted to spend more time with you!

Changing the food requires patience and perserverance, and presenting the new food each and every day, preferably first thing in the morning (no food in cage at night) with the usual food offered a couple of hours later.

[Snoffie]

Thanks guys for all of the help. I will check out the links.

[Lisa B]

I usually talk to clients about plets and pellets as the main diet. I am glad monica posted the links on mutations.
volkman makes a plet specific seed mix that alot like.

[chapala]

Parrotlets are subject to fatty liver disease if given high fat, mostly seed diets. They thrive on sprouted grains, sprouted or cooked legumes, fresh vegetables, a little fruit, and some Harrison's pellets. Also a dry grain mix is fine as a smaller part of the diet. My P'let came to me having eaten a 100% seed diet with his previous owner. It took a few months, but now he eats Shauna's Mash diet (Feeding Feathers forum) with lots of fresh vegetables, sprouts and a little fruit, plus a cooked then frozen grain/lentil/sweet potato mix, and Harrison's pellets.

Offering the new foods in the morning is a good strategy with no food in the cage at night for early morning snacking and ruining the appetite. Then, be sure to give him his usual food a few hours later. You don't want your bird losing weight while you try to change the diet. Mixing in some sprouted grains with the new food can help the bird at least explore the bowl. If the bird sees the new food every day, eventually he should eat it!

[Dodgersmom]

I'm having the same trouble as Snoffie. We got Dodger 5 days ago and i'm having a heck of a time getting him to eat anything other than seed. My questions is, if he refuses to eat anything else how long can i wait it out? Will he eventually eat the other things i'm feeding him, i.e. pellets, veggies, fruits and pasta, if he gets hungry enough? I feel bad for the little guy and break down and give him more seed. Am I being a pushover?

[Monica]

It could be a matter of days to even years. It usually helps to have a "teacher" to show what the other bird to eat... and being rather creative! What have you tried so far?

Have you tried fresh foods and some pellets in corn bread? (best home-made)

Or how about offering the new foods first thing in the morning for 1-2 hours? If the bird doesn't try it, take it out and put in the birds regular food.

Or perhaps try sprouted seeds?

Maybe even foods that resemble seeds such as broccoli florrets? Or perhaps a variety of leafy greens? Even feed those leafy greens wet.

[Dodgersmom]

Thanks for the tips Monica.