Pellets (Harrison?)

[Grenage]

While the breeder recommended a particular conure mix from a localish aviary, it's all chillies, seeds, grains and the like; everyone here seems to recommend pellets, so I'm going to give those a whirl.

The Harrison range look well accepted, but I'm curious as to the size/type people give their GCCs. I assume 'fine' is most suitable, but my guy does seem to like to hold things in his claws. As to whether the chillie version of the pellets is enjoyed, well that's another question.

 

[cdog]

Three of my green cheeks like the fine size and my pair likes the coarse size because they too like to hold their food. I am going to order some of the pepper flavor too when my current batch runs out. Just try one pound of each size and see which size your gcc likes best.

 

[Bobioden]

Fine is the best size for GCC's Buy some, freeze it and use what you need for the week or so. I liked it, but to me Roubybush was the best option. I use the Crumbles and Mini size for Maxx. I am able to buy in bulk, so freeze any left overs.

 

[PortaPerch]

I'm trying to understand the need for pellets for any parrot. What do they have that people food lacks?

 

[dishgal1]

I'm trying to understand the need for pellets for any parrot. What do they have that people food lacks?

I wonder the same thing. They certainly don't get pellets in the wild. I totally believe if they get plenty of veggies and fruit they are not totally necessary. I think pellets are a way out if you don't cook for your bird to guarantee they get everything they need. I feed pellets TOPS brand but he eats more fresh food than anything else. He hated pellets and Tops is the only one he will eat first thing in the morning....from then on it is fresh foods and a few seeds. In the beginning he would eat nothing but seed mix but when he got started on people food that is his main diet now, plus seed and pellets. At least he doesn't eat that many seeds now which used to be the only thing he would eat.

 

[wenz2712]

For some reason, it is not so easy to buy Pellets here in the UK.. I have to buy them On-line.. I buy a good seed mix for Codie that has no Sunflower seeds in and nutriberries , then I mix all 3 together... this way, I know she is getting everything she needs

 

[JonnyG]

For some reason, it is not so easy to buy Pellets here in the UK.. I have to buy them On-line.. I buy a good seed mix for Codie that has no Sunflower seeds in and nutriberries , then I mix all 3 together... this way, I know she is getting everything she needs

Seapets sells Tropican pellets, Hagen Tropican Lifetime Pellets , They do the parrot sized pellets which Persie likes, I use them for the general in cage food mixed with dried fruit, I the try to complement with fresh stuff although he really doesnt like fresh fruit or veg...

 

[wenz2712]

For some reason, it is not so easy to buy Pellets here in the UK.. I have to buy them On-line.. I buy a good seed mix for Codie that has no Sunflower seeds in and nutriberries , then I mix all 3 together... this way, I know she is getting everything she needs

Seapets sells Tropican pellets, Hagen Tropican Lifetime Pellets , They do the parrot sized pellets which Persie likes, I use them for the general in cage food mixed with dried fruit, I the try to complement with fresh stuff although he really doesnt like fresh fruit or veg...

I will order some of these.. Thanks
Codie didnt like Fruit or Veg at first, but I just kept persevering, by putting them in her bowl everyday and eventually she started eating them! She now loves all Veg

 

[evesta]

I don't know why we feed them pellets with fresh foods and not just fresh foods but my boys adore their pellets. They took right to Rowdybush and I think they would be mad if I took them away now. Fresh foods on the other hand have been a challenge. They are finally eating a frozen veggie/rice mix and pasta but it hasn't been easy. We work on it everyday. It is nice knowing they are getting their nutrition while we work on getting them to like fresh things.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Fine is the best size for GCC's Buy some, freeze it and use what you need for the week or so. I liked it, but to me Roubybush was the best option. I use the Crumbles and Mini size for Maxx. I am able to buy in bulk, so freeze any left overs.

I'm with Bobioden. Tried Harrisons and my GCC's won't touch it. They both love Roudybush. BTW, I try almost everything my birds eat and Harrisons is BLAHHH! I could live on Roudybush for a week if I had too.

 

[Spiritbird]

A formulated (pelleted diet) should make up approximately 60-80% of the entire diet. Pelleted diets are scientifically formulated to meet the bird’s nutritional requirements.
No one is forced to feed their bird pellets. My bird has a fresh serving of Harrisons in the cage every day for free choice eating in addition to the fresh foods fed separately.
I choose not to use extruded pellets that contain chemical food dyes. Parrots do not encounter such food dyes in the wild, and I see no reason why they should in captivity,

 

[dishgal1]

I know that is what we are told 80% pellets and I don't want to sound argumentative because a lot of people definitely should feed pellets because they don't supply enough alternative people foods. I just question sometime "scientifically formulated" ....I would like to know how they scientifically figured out what these guys need. With all the problems we have seen with dog foods I wonder if "scientifically" can truly be trusted or just a marketing ploy. Just my opinion but I feel the bulk should be fresh foods. The wild birds won't even touch the leftover pellets I throw out. That is pretty frightening in iteself

 

[Spiritbird]

I think that is fine Dishgal. Like I said what we feed our birds is a personal choice. We are bombarded with the commercial selling of all pet foods. That is why I went to several courses and seminars about how parrot nutrition has grown from what it was years ago with just the feeding of seed. Parrot Nutrition is a college course in itself.

 

[Grenage]

Thank you for the input, and mention of other brands. I'll grab some and see how he fares. While I'm giving him lots of veg, and fruit as a treat, he's choosing seed mix over the fresh stuff when in his cage. If I can get some more rounded feed into to him, especially while he's experimenting with fresh stuff, that's a plus.

Also cheers on the freezing tip. I've never seen the pellets, but for some reason I assumed they would be dried and live forever in a bag!

 

[Spiritbird]

Harrisons pellets have no preservatives at all. They need to be in the frig. all the time and any extra bags frozen. Good luck.

 

[Purl]

Harrisons pellets have no preservatives at all. They need to be in the frig. all the time and any extra bags frozen. Good luck.

Ohhh really??!?!? I brought home a 1# bag for Purl and have it in an airtight container. I give her about 10 pellets of Harrisons each day and have about half a bag left. Your saying these need to be in the frig? OY!!

I give Purl a mixture of Caitec oven baked, Harrisons, Roudybush, & Lafeber pellets..depending on her mood she'll pick out what she likes. Sometimes all,sometimes just one. Right now it's Harrison. Then she get's a dish of fresh fruits and veggies...with a side dish of either a Crazy corn mix or Higgin's Wordly Cuisine twice a day. She LOVES sweet potato..tosses kiwi and watermelon..broccoli is a toss up.

What kinds of veggies and fruits does everyone use?

 

[Spiritbird]

If you read the information on the back of a bag of Harrisons pellets you will find it says keep refrigerated.