Worried about my GCC's eating.

[Andrew_]

Hello, I've recently bought my first green cheek conure, and he eats, a lot. Whenever I'm not playing with him he is eating. He eats millet, seeds, and pellets. I don't give him that much millet and only give him about a tbsp of seed every few days since I know it's not great for them. I've heard you're supposed to just keep their bowl of pellets full, but he eats SO much that he poops every 3-5 minutes and since they are colored pellets his poop is huge and orange. I know this can't be healthy, so I'm thinking I'm going to limit his food. Should I? And if so, how much pellet and seed should I give him per day?

Edit: If it matters, he eats budgie pellets and seed since I already had a lot.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Have you thought he may be eating because he doesnt have enough to do? Introduce foragers, treats in boxes that kind of thing. You could try a non coloured, organic pellet also. I do not believe the dish needs to be full. Have you introduced any fresh foods such as bananas, dandelions, kale, pears, romaine lettuce, apples, green beans, celery, carrots, Swiss chard and peas are good examples. Maybe put some fresh foods like lettuce, apple etc on a kabob for him to have a go at? Check how many and what toys you have provided, do they appeal to your bird?

Are you weighing your bird regularly, once a week? If not please start, this is a good indicator that all is not right.

 

[Scott]

Seeds and pellets ought form a portion of your GCC's diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential. The universe is so large it may take trial and error, but you will eventually hit on some healthy staples.

Some but not all colorful pellets influence droppings. I feed Zupreem Fruit Blend - not the best pellet, but they will eat no other. Absolutely no discoloration, and it is a portion of their overall intake.

You may find these threads helpful:

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

 

[Sunnyclover]

My Ollie is always eating too...well it seems like he is anyways. He is of small size for a sun conure and a perfect steady weight for his smaller frame. Ollie has about 100 toys that I rotate weekly, has more than enough attention and it seems like in-between playing with me and his toys he's eating! I think he just eats a bit here and there and kind of snacks on his food all day. I think your little one is normal. If you're very very worried just weigh him a couple of times a week and see if he's gaining a lot of weight. If not than he is fine and it's good he likes to eat well. Also, I sometimes get the feeling Ollie prefers to eat when I'm around because he feels it's safer and no preditors can get him because mommy bird is there. He might be just eating around you and not alone because he feels safe. Ollie will eat alone but only if he's by himself for a couple of hours. I have a pet cam so i can see what he's doing while I'm gone.

 

[LordTriggs]

He could also be eating because he needs energy. If he runs around and plays a lot then it would stand to reason he eats a lot. If he just sits in front of the bowl eating all day then that isn't the best but will come down to weighing. I never filled a bowl though except for when fruit and veggies were put in (on there own) he would have at whatever was there then once he was bored or it was the end of meal time