I feel like an idiot

[roxynoodle]

As some of you know, I adopted a Yellow Crown 4.5 weeks ago. He has been eating a seed diet all these years, but recently his former owner had gotten some kind of pellet from a friend and mixed it into the seed mix. He did not know what it was and said the bird wasn't eating them. Well, he's been eating them for me, but I wasn't sure what they were either. I just now figured out they are Harrison's! I thought they weren't because they didn't look like the ones the vet once gave me for my conures. But, they are the course ones, not the fine ones.

So I don't think converting this bird will be so hard after all now that I know he eats this kind of pellet! Duh! I just ordered him 2 5lb bags and will convert him to those rather than the Zupreem my conure eats.

I may continue mixing in some Zupreem to see if he will eat those as well. It would be easier if they were on the same food, but it isn't necessary I guess.

So, yes, I'm certain the 28 year old seed junkie CAN be converted to pellets despite what the former owner thought.

 

[Rio Mom]

If he's happy eating the Harrisons, it might be easier to just switch your conure over to Harrisons.

 

[Mamanda]

What's the difference between zupreem & Harrison's?

 

[suebee]

harrisons is same as what we call organic foods here in uk, no artificial anything used in its products

 

[lexx510]

What's the difference between zupreem & Harrison's?

Zupreem (along with most of the other pellet brands carried by big chain pet shops) is full of crap, basically. It mostly consists of a few filler ingredients (such as soy meal) mixed with a bunch of preservatives and synthatic vitamins that are known to be toxins and carinogens. If you're able to dicipher the ingredient list, you'll be amazed at what you discover. It's pretty much like feeding your bird fast food with a mixed in multi vitmain for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 

[Spiritbird]

I am a firm belliever in Harrisons pellets. My birds are super healthy and eat them well. Because they have no preservatives they should be refrigerated.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ah, thanks for telling me to refrigerate them.

Well, I can't put the conure on the Harrison's unless I get her a smaller size. The size the zon is eating would be too large for her to hold in her foot.

Those samples of Harrison's the vet gave me years ago, the conure did eat. It was my other conure that refused to try. Miss Picky is the one I got to eat the Zupreem, so that is what they both got.

My birds do get a lot of veggies and other healthy foods each day, and the conure is very healthy according to the vet. Of course I'm biased, but she does have the most beautiful feathering. She just glistens and gleams with all sorts of colors in her feathers.

My vet does recommend Harrison's but he said the Zupreem was fine when I asked. Zupreem is definitely more convenient since I can get it at any pet supply store. But, I just want the zon on pellets and if it is Harrison's he's eating, then we will go with Harrison's.

 

[nofearengineer]

What's the difference between zupreem & Harrison's?

Zupreem (along with most of the other pellet brands carried by big chain pet shops) is full of crap, basically. It mostly consists of a few filler ingredients (such as soy meal) mixed with a bunch of preservatives and synthatic vitamins that are known to be toxins and carinogens. If you're able to dicipher the ingredient list, you'll be amazed at what you discover. It's pretty much like feeding your bird fast food with a mixed in multi vitmain for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I'm going to have to call shenanigans on this post, lexx. You make some big statements about Zupreem that are pretty unscientific.

I dug up the ingredient lists of two comparable Zupreem and Harrison's pellets:

Zupreem Fruit Blend:
Ingredients: Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Vegetable Oil, Wheat Germ Meal, Sucrose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Fruit (Bananas, Oranges, Apples and Grapes), Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C), Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Colors, Artificial Flavors, Canthaxanthin, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin K Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folic acid, Biotin, and Vitamin B12 Supplement.
[FONT=&quot]Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 14.0% min, Crude Fat: 4.0%, Crude Fiber: 2.5%, Moisture: 10.0%[/FONT]


Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Super Fine:
Ingredients: *Ground Yellow Corn, *Ground Hulless Barley, *Ground Hulled Millet, *Ground Soybeans, *Ground Shelled Peanuts, *Ground Shelled Sunflower Seeds, *Ground Lentils, *Ground Rice, *Ground Green Peas, *Ground Alfalfa, *Ground Toasted Oat Groats, Chia Seed, Calcium Carbonate, Montmorillonite Clay, Ground Dried Sea Kelp, Vitamin E Supplement, Sea Salt, Spirulina, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.) 14%, crude fat (min.) 6%, crude fiber (max.) 4.5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

I'm not knocking Harrison's at all. I'm sure it is a fine product. I do frequently see a bit of Harrison's snobbery though. I think certified organic is good. However, it can also be abused as a marketing tool.

The reality of the situation is that if you're feeding your parrot properly, your pellets are just supplemental filler anyway. Fruits, nuts, fresh and frozen veggies, and whole grains should be what they're eating, with the pellets making up the difference.

Let's let our elitist snobbery only apply to those feeding seed diets (I do it too ).

 

[lexx510]

What's the difference between zupreem & Harrison's?

Zupreem (along with most of the other pellet brands carried by big chain pet shops) is full of crap, basically. It mostly consists of a few filler ingredients (such as soy meal) mixed with a bunch of preservatives and synthatic vitamins that are known to be toxins and carinogens. If you're able to dicipher the ingredient list, you'll be amazed at what you discover. It's pretty much like feeding your bird fast food with a mixed in multi vitmain for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I'm going to have to call shenanigans on this post, lexx. You make some big statements about Zupreem that are pretty unscientific.

I dug up the ingredient lists of two comparable Zupreem and Harrison's pellets:

Zupreem Fruit Blend:
Ingredients: Ground Corn, Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Vegetable Oil, Wheat Germ Meal, Sucrose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Ground Fruit (Bananas, Oranges, Apples and Grapes), Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C), Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Colors, Artificial Flavors, Canthaxanthin, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin K Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folic acid, Biotin, and Vitamin B12 Supplement.
[FONT=&quot]Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein: 14.0% min, Crude Fat: 4.0%, Crude Fiber: 2.5%, Moisture: 10.0%[/FONT]


Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Super Fine:
Ingredients: *Ground Yellow Corn, *Ground Hulless Barley, *Ground Hulled Millet, *Ground Soybeans, *Ground Shelled Peanuts, *Ground Shelled Sunflower Seeds, *Ground Lentils, *Ground Rice, *Ground Green Peas, *Ground Alfalfa, *Ground Toasted Oat Groats, Chia Seed, Calcium Carbonate, Montmorillonite Clay, Ground Dried Sea Kelp, Vitamin E Supplement, Sea Salt, Spirulina, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite.
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min.) 14%, crude fat (min.) 6%, crude fiber (max.) 4.5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

I'm not knocking Harrison's at all. I'm sure it is a fine product. I do frequently see a bit of Harrison's snobbery though. I think certified organic is good. However, it can also be abused as a marketing tool.

The reality of the situation is that if you're feeding your parrot properly, your pellets are just supplemental filler anyway. Fruits, nuts, fresh and frozen veggies, and whole grains should be what they're eating, with the pellets making up the difference.

Let's let our elitist snobbery only apply to those feeding seed diets (I do it too ).

I'd suggest you research the ingredients which I've highlighted in red, if you consider my statements to be "pretty unscientific." I'll let the research speak for itself.

PS: I am not a huge fan of Harrison's, either. Although, I do think it is a much healthier choice than Zupreem.

I use Totally Organics Bird Pellets.

Here is the list of ingredients and info taken from their page:

TOP Organic Bird Pellets

100% Organic Pellets are an excellent addition to your birds diet!



Exceptional Quality All ingredients are Human Grade and Certified Organic.

For All Size Hookbills

Readily Accepted by Many Birds!

All Natural An all natural source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients for a happy and healthy bird.

Naturally Preserved with Rosemary, Rose Hips, Lemon and Orange Peel

No Artificial Anything No Artificial Preservatives like BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin. No artificial colors or flavors. No artificial vitamins. No sucrose/sugar added.

No Animal Products or animal by-products.

No GMO No genetically modified organisms.

Product Information and Ingredients

Suggested Use: TOP pellets are an important part of a complete diet. Feed approximately as much as your bird will consume in a day. Some days birds will eat more than others so the amount will fluctuate. Discard the remainder and feed fresh pellets each time. Consult your avian veterinarian if you have any specific diet related concerns. Although an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals, we believe that no pellet can provide 100% of a bird’s nutritional needs. Please be sure to feed vegetables, fruits, nuts, and some seeds for a varied diet.

Certified Organic Ingredients: Rice, barley, sunflower seed hulled, alfalfa leaf, sesame seeds unhulled, quinoa whole, buckwheat hulled, millet hulled, dandelion leaf powder, carrot powder, spinach leaf powder, purple dulse, rose hips powder, rose hips crushed, orange peel powder, lemon peel powder, rosemary whole leaf, cayenne ground, crushed red chili peppers, and nettle leaves.

Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 15% Max, Fat 6% Min., Crude Fiber 6% Max.

Pellet Processing: Designed by avian nutritionists to be the best diet on the market today. TOP pellets are cold-pressed (not extruded or baked) to keep natural enzymes, vitamins, and other nutrients intact.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, free from insect infestation. Refrigeration is not required. Pellets can be frozen to extend shelf life. Once opened, please reseal in original or similar container.

Ingredient Highlights

BROWN RICE: Is a nutritious, wholesome staple food containing a sizable quantity of minerals. Its 8 amino acids are so proportionately balanced that it has the highest protein digestibility among staple foods.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS: One, if not the most, nutritious and healthy foods to be found in the dried fruits sector. They have a high content of healthy unsaturated fatty acids, contain important nutrients like vitamin E, selenium, copper, zinc, folate, iron and phytochemicals, plus are a rich source of proteins and fibers.

ALFALFA LEAVES: Loaded with health-building properties. Their contents are not only balanced for complete absorption, but they help assimilate protein, calcium and other nutrients.

SESAME SEEDS: Loaded with minerals, especially high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, and are so high in vitamin E that its oil or meal is often used as a preservative. Contains all amino and essential fatty acids known today.

QUINOA: A perfectly balanced ratio of amino acids and is rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 4.3% of those are Alpha - Linol acid, an essential fatty acid which is, otherwise, only found in fish

MILLET: A complete food, rich in minerals (especially calcium) and vitamins, particularly lecithin, which is important for the formation of healthy feathers.

DANDELION LEAVES: A rich source of beta carotene, vitamins D, B complex and C. They have a very high potassium content, as well as numerous other minerals, like the bone, nail and feather-strengthening minerals calcium, boron and silicon. Dandelion leaves are good for a sluggish liver, to remove toxins from the liver and gall bladder and to help cleanse the blood.

CARROT POWDER: One of the top rated vegetables, providing protein, calcium, iron, and the vitamins A, C, and B, the phytochemicals alpha carotene, p-coumaric, clorogenic acids and the carotene complex.

NETTLE LEAVES: Helps the blood break down proteins, making it a natural kidney and adrenal cleaner.

SPINACH LEAF POWDER: An excellent source of beta carotene, vitamins C, E and K, calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, sulphur, folic acid and oxalic acid. They contain more protein and chlorophyll than most vegetables.

PURPLE DULSE: A sea vegetable that is a natural source of essential minerals, especially iodine, vitamins, ions, sea salt and roughage.

ROSE HIPS: Contain an extremely high amount of natural vitamin C, and are, therefore, a great antioxidant and strengthener of the immune system. They are also very rich in beta carotene, vitamin B-complex, E and rutin.

ROSEMARY: A stimulant for the circulatory system and strengthen the nervous system. Used as a heart tonic, for respiratory ailments, gout and rheumatic pains.

CAYENNE AND RED CHILI PEPPERS: High in vitamin A, C, iron, calcium and contain vitamin G, B-complex, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. It is a harmless internal disinfectant, increases the effect of other herbs, cleanses the blood, wards off and equalizes blood circulation, increases heart action but not blood pressure, and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Why we don’t have soy, peanuts or wheat in our pellets.

SOY BEANS
There is more and more disturbing data found about soy beans and products. Soy beans in their natural state contain large quantities of natural toxins and there is data that soy is cumulatively toxic when fed to animals. For example, The PARROT SOCIETY NEW ZEALAND claims that soy products in bird food have caused such problems as immune system breakdown, failure of organs and multiplication of the birds' own benign bacteria.

PEANUTS
It seems that more and more birds develop allergic reactions to peanuts, so we view them as a great treat for birds that are not allergic to them, but not part of their daily diet.

WHEAT
Wheat is a common allergen and contains about 80 different components that can cause a negative reaction. The number of people that are allergic to wheat and wheat products is raising daily in alarming amounts. If that is the case for humans, and we are not sure how it acts in birds, better safe than sorry.

http://totallyorganics.com/ingredients.php

 

[nofearengineer]

Lexx, in all seriousness, can you provide a link or two to some of this research? I can't find anything on those items that I would consider more than internet hearsay (which there is a lot of). I love to learn. If what you say is true, I want to know.

 

[Spiritbird]

Hey Norf. how did you know I am a charter member of the elitist snobbery club when it comes to parrot nutrition. My birds would not touch totally organic pellets. They do have wonderful ingredients. You are so right Norf. pellets are not the primary diet - it is all the fresh veggies and other things that really count. I still love putting the best ingredients in to a mash. My birds scarf it up every day.

 

[nofearengineer]

Haha...nothing but the best for Rosie!

I think the artificial colors make it fun for them. I have found Bitty definitely goes through phases where she prefers one color the others. That color changes, so she definitely has moods.

You're right though. As much as Bitty likes her pellets, her eyes absolutely light up when she gobbles into some warm broccoli or sweet potatoes. Bananas for dessert, obviously.

 

[henpecked]

My biggest beef with pellets like Zupreem (which my birds love) is all the added sugars. Maybe great for converting birds from seeds to pellets but with sugars as 4th or 5th ingredient that seems a bit sweet. Have you tasted your fid's pellets?

 

[Spiritbird]

Harrisons does have the highest percentage of fats and I know with zons you have to be careful with that. Rosie eats about 20 - 25 large pellets per day, snacks and her mash at night. You should see her after she eats he mash. Cannot even see her beak. That is why she says dirty beak.

 

[Mamanda]

Harrisons does have the highest percentage of fats and I know with zons you have to be careful with that. Rosie eats about 20 - 25 large pellets per day, snacks and her mash at night. You should see her after she eats he mash. Cannot even see her beak. That is why she says dirty beak.

What is "mash"???

 

[roxynoodle]

All the pellets taste kind of bad to me, lol! Not horrible, but not something I would want myself.

Yes, my conure is asking for her veggies and beans right now. And her beak will be covered in all of it afterwards. Then she will wipe it all on the cage bars and eat the little pieces she wipes off. Eww!

I don't believe Zupreem is horrible food or my vet would have said so. We were just happy to get my other conure on pellets, and those fruit flavored ones were it. He also told me recently they should be 80% of the diet. I had always read 60%. When he heard what else she eats everyday though, he said 60% was fine.