Which Pellets should I buy?

[IcyWolf]

So, when I got Ziggy she was on a mainly seed diet, with a little bit of zupreem pellets(the colored ones) and fresh veggies and fruit. The woman we got her from gave us a ziplock bag of her seed mix(she didn't give us all of the food because she also had a CAG and a caique) so I have no idea what brand the seed is. We are going to the store to get her food this weekend(I kept her on the same thing she was used to so far since it's only the first week) and I was wondering what I should get her? In the past I fed my birds roudybush, but honestly, it is ungodly expensive and if there is something of equal quality at a better price I'm not gonna say no lol. What are the main differences between roudybush, pretty bird(pellets) and zupreem. Also, what if any, are the differences between the colored and the uncolored zupreem pellets? And one other thing, what size pellet is good for an alex? they aren't very large birds but they do have a huge beak so I wasn't sure if she should be getting the tiel size or maybe the next size up? Sorry guys, this is my first Alex if you can't tell.

 

[CAGLulu]

I will highly recommend ZuPreem. It is as far I know the oldest brand on the market, and it is the most developing brand as they keep on trying improving their pellets. I think that there is a size called "Parrots & Conure" that should be the right size for your bird .

EDIT: I wrote the size "Cockatiel" first, but I think it will be too small .

 

[IcyWolf]

I was just looking on Aquarium Supplies, Pet Supplies and Pond Supplies by That Fish Place - That Pet Place since they have the best prices and it's only about an hour from where I live(I also use their catalogues to price match at petco if I don't feel like driving up there). They have the zupreem naturals(the uncolored stuff), the conure one looks like it would be a better size for her since she likes to hold her food as she eats it, but the cockatiel blend says that it is made for ringnecks so now i'm not sure.

 

[CAGLulu]

It all comes down to your bird. Some birds like to hold their food while eating just like my CAG. So maybe you should go a size up from what they are recommending .

 

[Parrot Parent]

I recommend ZuPreem. I feed it to my sun conure and parakeets. The conure size should be perfect for your guy

Edit:I recently upgraded my guy to a bigger size recently cause he likes to hold his food too lol.

 

[IcyWolf]

Okay, thanks guys! Does anyone have any opinions on the colored versus the natural pellets? I used to feed my tiels the colored zupreem pellets before I switched everyone to roudybush. I loved the smell of the colored ones, smelled just like trix cereal, and looked like it too! I was tempted to try some with a bit of soymilk lol.

 

[Parrot Parent]

I use the fruit blend (colored ones). I love the smell too and when they are spoiled its easy to tell by scent too ( I find they get a nasty sour smell). Plus I find my birds like to eat certain colors first. Like my conures will eat purples, then oranges lol

 

[IcyWolf]

Aww that's so cute! Do you's think I should keep giving her any seed after I get her switched over to the pellets? Personally, I don't really like feeding seed and I have never had any of my birds on it for longer than the time it took to switch them to pellets. She does really seem to like them, but it's no wonder since the seed mix she came to me with is full of peanuts and sunflower seeds lol. Well, it's not full of them but it does have a good bit, way more than there should be IMO. I guess now is the time to decide whether or not we will continue giving anymore to her.

 

[Pedro]

Size doesn't really matter although i have always been told to get the small ones as there isn't to much wastage. As far as what brand i will use a good brand but the main part of my birds diet is fresh fruit & vegetables & sprouts.

 

[Parrot Parent]

I buy seed for all my birds. I believe seed in moderation is important to the health of the bird. Also fresh fruits and veggies are very good. I dont feed mine sun flower seeds though. I buy a mix that has pumpkin seeds, dried peppers, and other good stuff in it.

 

[IcyWolf]

Sorry, I forgot to add, she does get fresh fruits and veggies daily, fortunately, being vegan, we usually have quite a bit of fresh produce in the house, even before adopting her When winter comes I was planning on getting a good bit of dehydrated produce so I can give her a good variety since that is what she is used to getting now. She has one of these things [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010Q74AM/191-9558266-2469039?ie=UTF8&tag=glitter0c&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&SubscriptionId=1FR129T98JNQDZAH9GR2&creativeASIN=B0010Q74AM]Amazon.com: JW Pet Company Activitoys NutCase Bird Toy: Kitchen & Dining[/ame] and I like to fill it with fruits and veggies and she goes nuts holding it with one foot while she tears into the food on the inside. It's too cute, I have to get some pics, unfortunately I forgot my camera at my brothers house last weekend so I haven't been able to get any.

 

[Spiritbird]

Both of my birds are High Potency Harrisons Pellett birds. They have kept them very healthy. Yes, they do cost but no colored stuff and all organic ingredients. Only the best for my birds! Me, I eat hot dogs and ..............no just kidding. Never touch the things.

 

[CAGLulu]

@Spiritbird: Are you sure that Harrison's are better than ZuPreem? Yes ZuPreem is colored, but it is all natural. I had a discussion with a breeder from Denmark, where we discussed about which brand are the best, and came to a conclusion that ZuPreem is the best pellet food out there. Harrison's main ingredient is sunflower seed and amongst the other ingredients you will find peanuts which are the killer of all nuts. Harrison's are also higher in fat, and I've noticed that at least 40-60% of all parrot owners on this forum have their birds wings clipped which can make it harder for the birds to burn the fat. That is just my opinion .

 

[oled]

One of the biggest breeder i Sweden is using Harisson and he is strongly recomend Harisson. It was new to me that Harrisson main ingredient is sunflower. Where can I find this information ? If that is the case then I will stop using Harisson

 

[CAGLulu]

The breeder I have discussed this with have been in contact with them. He told me, that they told him that sunflower seed was the main ingredient. Here I'm talking about the high potency, that I think is used by the most who is feeding with Harrison's. It is also their first ingredient on the ingredient list, which mean that it is the main ingredient. Harrison's is very good to use if the birds are in aviary, then they will need more fat, and here is Harrison's very good, but if it is an indoor bird, then I will recommend ZuPreem, especially if the birds wings are clipped, then the bird will have a harder time burning the fat .

 

[Spiritbird]

When I first started Harrisons I had this discussion with my vet and the Harrisons people. The pellets are so infused with vit. and minerals and the only one to be all organic ingredients that we think it is better than Zupreem. My Rosie as been eating them for 2 years now and she is not fat by any means. She eats about 40 pellets per day and loves them. Her wings are clipped but she gets exercise every day and the vet said she was such a "robust little Timneh". Everyone has thier own opinions on which foods are best for our birds. I think if you have conficence in Zupreem stick with it.

 

[CAGLulu]

There is so many different opinions on bird food, and I think that you should go with what you feel most comfortable with, or what your bird like the most. If I would go with another brand than ZuPreem, then it would be Harrison's. I think that Harrison's and ZuPreem are the best brand out on the market with my favorite being ZuPreem .

 

[Spiritbird]

Here is a comparison of some pellets


Nutritional Breakdown:

Harrisons High Potency: 18% Protein; 15% Fat; 6.5% Fiber; 10% Moisture
Zupreen Fruit Blend: 14% Protein; 04% Fat; 3.5% Fiber; 10% Moisture
Roudy Bush Maintenance:11% Protein; 06% Fat; 3.5% Fiber; 12% Moisture

Kaytee Exact-Rainbow 15% Protein; 06% Fat: 5.0% Fiber; 12% Moisture
PrettyBird-African Spe: 14% Protein; 08% Fat; 5.0% Fiber; 10% Moisture


Top 7 Ingredients:

Harrisons High Potency: Ground Sunflower Seeds; Ground Barley; Ground Soybeans; Ground Peanuts; Ground Green Peas; Ground Lentils; Ground Yellow Corn

Zupreen Fruit Blend: Ground Corn; Soybean Meal; Grnd Wheat; Veg Oil; Wheat Germ Oil; Sucrose, DiCalcium Phosphate

Roudy Bush Maintenance: Ground Corn; Ground Wheat; Soy Meal; Soy Oil; Calcium Carbonate; Dicalcium Phosphate; Salt

Kaytee Exact-Rainbow:Ground Corn; Ground Wheat; Ground Oat Groats; Soybean Meal; Corn Gluten Meal; Wheat Middlings; Ground Flax Seed

PrettyBird-African Spe: Corn; Oats; Corn Gluten Meal; Wheat Potato Protein; Soya Oil; Coconute Oil; Calcium Carbonate

 

[oled]

Í have just started having Amazon again. In 1980 to 1990 I had Amazon feeded only with seed so this pellet is quit new to me. Just now I am using Harisson but will consider other brand later on. In Sweden the price for Harisson i twice compered with ZuPreem and if it is not better then why pay more

 

[CAGLulu]

@Spiritbird: Thanks! I think that Harrison's and ZuPreem are the best brands. In my opinion I think ZuPreem is better because it is lower on fat and because that one of Harrison's top seven ingredients are peanuts. They are very baaaad .
It is really a personal opinion.
I've read that Kaytee has a lack of calcium .

@oled: I asked the breeder if it would be better if I switched to Harrison's, he said that I should not do it, because here in Denmark Harrison's are much more expensive than ZuPreem and he meant that ZuPreem also is the best, and if not, well then it is nothing noticable I think .