Trouble switching to pellets

[Suzi]

I have 2 parakeets, I've had them 3 weeks. I've read it's better nutrition to feed them pellets than the pet store seed mixes. The pet store sent me home with a premixed seed and pellet food, they just picked out the seeds. I tried mixing in a higher quality pellet (zupreem), they toss it on the floor in effort to find all the seeds.

How do you get parakeets to recognise pellets as food? And is it actually important for their health to make them switch?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Here's my two cents.


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 I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.
Another couple of ideas...
My ol' man is an athlete and health nut. He actually EATS all the good stuff, so it's always around. I find that tossing various stuff into the food bowls at random is good... the variations and differences seem to stimulate curiosity and attention.
The other idea... if you can stand it (lol) EAT the stuff in front of the birds, yes. That encourages them. I have also found that if my ol' man eats stuff in front of the bird, the bird WANTS it for himself. Kinda a rivalry thing!
http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/

Good for you, for reaching out. I'm glad you're here.