Recommended Food

Ariana0902 · Aug 3, 2010

Do any of you have a food you recommend? I may be getting a Green Cheek Conure soon and may go to the pet store later today so I wanted to pick up a few things. I already bought a few toys, but would like to get either perches or food today. Any recommendations? I prefer organic. Thanks!

-Ariana

erik7181 · Aug 3, 2010

The things I would recommend are 2 of the stainless steel bowls with the bracket,
And if your going to buy commercial food, I like the: Kaytee Fiesta- either parrot or conure type there exactly the same. I would also recommend the Super fruit cocktail or you can just buy fresh fruit but the fruit cocktail is semi dehydrated and stores better but if you have the time fresh fruits, raisins, pineapple, apple, mango. Sorry for the late reply. Erik

Bobby34231 · Aug 3, 2010

Hi Ariana, If your looking to go organic, Harrisons is probably the most well know, though there are many others out there, you won't find it in the stores like you would kaytee or zupreem, mostly sold through vets offices, heres a link to where to buy, you can pick your state and see if its sold near you........

Harrison's Bird Foods - Where to Buy

another good source for finding a good organic food would be an avian vet, you'll need one for your new fid (fid = feathered kid ) anyway, so finding one local can accomplish both health care and advise in one shot

GreenCheek · Aug 4, 2010

erik7181 said:
The things I would recommend are 2 of the stainless steel bowls with the bracket,
And if your going to buy commercial food, I like the: Kaytee Fiesta- either parrot or conure type there exactly the same. I would also recommend the Super fruit cocktail or you can just buy fresh fruit but the fruit cocktail is semi dehydrated and stores better but if you have the time fresh fruits, raisins, pineapple, apple, mango. Sorry for the late reply. Erik

Actually, Kaytee Fiesta is really not a good food. Kaytee is really a good for nothing brand to all kinds of animals. A lot of junk. And parrots should ALWAYS be fed fresh fruits and vegetables! I wouldn't trust the dehydrated, overly processed pet store treats anyway, but especially not to replace fresh foods!

And to the OP, sorry, can't help much with the organic. I feed Zupreem, and while some say it's good and some say it's not the best (artificial colorings), I like it and it's what Cody was weaned onto from his breeder, and she uses it for all of her birds. She's a very good breeder, and I trust her advice. He does excellent on it, but it's def. not organic.

Aussie Ben · Aug 4, 2010

Not sure what dry foods are available to you, but as GC said, you really can't go wrong with fresh F&V, absolutely the best and most natural thing for them. They seem to love the fact that it is colourful too.

Auggie's Dad · Aug 4, 2010

I also use Zupreem and couldn't be happier with it - nor could Auggie it would seem.

It is not organic certified though. I try not to buy organic ...

HRH Di · Aug 4, 2010

Our breeder offered a variety of pellets along with sprouts and fresh F&V. Both Ruby and Jade picked out everything but the Zupreem fruit blend...so that's what we went with. It's usually available in chain pet stores.

Ariana0902 · Aug 4, 2010

Thanks everybody! I always have fresh fruits and vegetables in my house so no problem there. I will look into the different brands and figure out what seems best!

Spiritbird · Aug 4, 2010

I believe Harrisons is the most nutritious and vet recommended more than others. You usually cannot purchase a good organic food for a bird in a store like Petsmart or Petco. Best place is to order them through your vet.

Birdamor · Aug 4, 2010

My conures eat the same as every bird in my birdroom: a dish made out of cooked whole grains, pulses and veggies accompanied with a fruit, a veggie and a leafy green for breakfast (the produce and the flavorings in the dish change every day) and cockatiel seed mix for dinner which is doctored with extra cereal grains and chopped nuts.

parrotqueen · Aug 4, 2010

I too would have to reccomend Harrison's, due to how it's organic. I would also reccomend supplementing with an herb mixture, lentils, vegetables, and sprouted seed. You can buy some really nice herb mixtures on amazon, e-bay, and probably from your vet. Rarely are they found in your average pet store.

Whenever you feel the need to supplement, always use a natural means of doing so. Accumulated supplentation from unnatural an processed sources can be very bad for your bird; even potentially fatal later on in life.

erik7181 · Aug 5, 2010

How is dehydrated fruit bad for your bird? Its fruit that's Semi dryed. Its nutritionaly the same. As for the pellets, my vet push's harrisons and im actully gonna get a 25lb bag for my guys.

Bobby34231 · Aug 5, 2010

erik7181 said:
How is dehydrated fruit bad for your bird? Its fruit that's. Semi dryed. Its nutritionaly the same. As for the pellets, my vet push's harrisons and im actully gonna get a 25lb bag for my guys.

Just a suggestion Erik, if you only have the 2 conures to feed, buy a smaller bag, 25 pounds would go stale long before you could use it all, and with it not being cheap it would just be a waste of good money....

erik7181 · Aug 5, 2010

Yeah i see your point thanks. Erik

GreenCheek · Aug 5, 2010

erik7181 said:
How is dehydrated fruit bad for your bird? Its fruit that's Semi dryed. Its nutritionaly the same. As for the pellets, my vet push's harrisons and im actully gonna get a 25lb bag for my guys.

I wasn't saying dehydrated fruit was bad, I was saying that crap that is on the shelves of the pet store is no good. It's loaded with unnecessary sugar, and I just don't believe it's very healthy. To me, fresh fruits and vegetables are a lot healthier, and I would not substitute pet store dehydrated fruit for the fresh thing.