Food guide

[Calvert]

I have inherited an Indian ringneck parakeet who is a plucker. I believe he is over 10 years already. Not sure if he always plucked his feathers. He had only a few when he arrived.
I have never owned one before, so fed him what he was always given.
Sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, apple, carrots.
I started to introduce other fruits and some veg. Pears, strawberries. Corn, green beans, and some others. But have since read a few articles on what they should be fed. Also his feathers started growing back and was coming along nicely except a patch above his very small tail feathers.
I have tried to change his food to what the pet shops call a cook feed. This has various seeds excluding sunflower seeds and nuts. He is not very keen on eating this and tips his dishes out in a rage.
Is there a list I can use on what vegetables to feed him and to prepare them for him. How he would prefer them. I am also not sure which pallet feed to get him as there are so many on the market.
Unfortunately he has now started plucking again. So not sure what to do.
Please could you help
Much appreciated

 

[wrench13]

It is always a good idea to alter parrot diet slowly, over a period of time, and not a small amount of that. Generally most diets should be 75% veggies, 15% seed and nuts, 10% fruit and 10% protien. ANd these can vary by species and bird. BUT - the best diet is the one your parrot will actually eat - it does no good offering a great healthy diet if it all get thrown to the floor. SO change slowly, add one thing at a time, vary the presentation (chopped, small bits, chunky, big chunks) for a few weeks at least. You can reduce SLIGHTLY the amount of his regular food. Keep a daily record of his weight, losing 2-5% of weight is cause to stop the changes for a bit. Weigh at the same time every day, after the BIG morning poop.

 

[Calvert]

It is always a good idea to alter parrot diet slowly, over a period of time, and not a small amount of that. Generally most diets should be 75% veggies, 15% seed and nuts, 10% fruit and 10% protien. ANd these can vary by species and bird. BUT - the best diet is the one your parrot will actually eat - it does no good offering a great healthy diet if it all get thrown to the floor. SO change slowly, add one thing at a time, vary the presentation (chopped, small bits, chunky, big chunks) for a few weeks at least. You can reduce SLIGHTLY the amount of his regular food. Keep a daily record of his weight, losing 2-5% of weight is cause to stop the changes for a bit. Weigh at the same time every day, after the BIG morning poop.

What would be the best veggies to feed him and how much in quantity do I give him at a time. I cannot weigh him as he is not tame. I cannot handle him. He gets very stressed when we just clean his cage paper.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Wrenchie is totally right. Too many are kept on seeds or other poor-nutrition things. They need veggies, legumes, grains... pellets are a good staple. Here's what I use.

HARRISON’S BIRD FOODS – CERTIFIED ORGANIC BIRD FOOD

See what's new at Harrison's Bird Foods: Certified organic, non-GMO diets for birds. Nutritionally complete for all life stages.

www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com

I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.
Great veggies... carrots, chiles, beans, brown rice, peas... all that good stuff, fresh. Fruits... apple, banana, mango.
Also, if you eat something in front of a bird, they might be more willing to try it. Yes, I have eaten a few pellets in my time. They're good, sorta like bland ground-p granola!