Thinking about Roudybush Low Fat or Rice Diet

[Mizzely]

Jingo is FINALLY off of Zupreem Fruity! Good thing too, because I only have half a pound left and wasn't interested in buying more

So now he's been moved to Zupreem Natural. Which, I'm debating if that is what I want him on long term, or if that was just a stepping stone for us. I do mix both his and Koopa's Natural with TOPS crumbles, but they both rarely eat them.

I did try Jingo on Harrison's when I first got him, and he was completely disinterested in them, so I don't know that I want to go that route, and thus I have been thinking about doing Roudybush. I noticed, though, that they have a Low Fat version, as well as a Rice version ,which I am contemplating trying. My reasoning is that Jingo has gained some weight (about 7 grams over the past few months) and while I wouldn't call him overweight, I would rather work on maintaining a healthy weight then try to get him to lose weight in the future. I'm sure once he starts flying it will be a moot point, but still.

The other consideration is that Quakers are prone to fatty liver disease. I don't intend to remove fat from his diet, but a lower fat pellet may lower the risks later in life, right?


Does anyone currently feed either of these? And should I work towards converting his diet once again, or just let him exist on the Zupreem and hope he eats the TOPS?

[wonderb]

Well, I think that some weight gain in a young bird is normal. In the first year or so, their weight will fluctuate somewhat as they establish their normal. Especially if he's started flying, it could be muscle. That said, I do prefer the Roudybush diet over the Zupreem. But if you want Jingo and Koopa on the same food, I would stay away from a low fat pellet. I like the idea of a rice pellet. Rice is much preferable over genetically modified corn, soy and other allergenic grains. I've heard that the low fat pellets are hard to convert to because they don't taste as good.

Also, am I the only one that has trouble with the Roudybush website? It is so hard to use! (Sorry, minor rant)

[Mizzely]

Well, I think that some weight gain in a young bird is normal. In the first year or so, their weight will fluctuate somewhat as they establish their normal. Especially if he's started flying, it could be muscle. That said, I do prefer the Roudybush diet over the Zupreem. But if you want Jingo and Koopa on the same food, I would stay away from a low fat pellet. I like the idea of a rice pellet. Rice is much preferable over genetically modified corn, soy and other allergenic grains. I've heard that the low fat pellets are hard to convert to because they don't taste as good.

Also, am I the only one that has trouble with the Roudybush website? It is so hard to use! (Sorry, minor rant)

I think maybe I freaked because he had been consistent for like 6-8 months on his weight and then had gained almost 10% of that! I didn't think about the muscle thing though; we have been working with him to flap those wings of his because he is getting enough flights to be able to fly very shortly

I do want them on the same diet if possible just because its cheaper and easier :P But, Koopa is much more active and you are right that the low-fat would not necessarily be good for her.

I also like the idea of a rice based pellet vs soy/corn for the GMO reasons.


Blah, I hate pellet conversations lol

[Jazzysmama]

I've wondered the same thing regarding quakers. This is my little rant, Breeze is on regular roudybush and suffers from Vit. A deficiency. Makes me wonder if it's the roudybush or they all lose their vitamin content? I'm sure they all do, but I have to wonder if one brand might do it more than another? I'm not a lover of zupreem either, but roudybush is all I can get breeze to eat and even then she just picks at them now and does not eat them as well as she should, she seems to be developing a distate for them also. She'd live on bountiful harvest and seeds if she could get by with it. lol. She won't touch harrisons either. Jewel wouldn't touch TOPS, but when I tried it the second time, she loved them!

[Cinnyluver]

I just started converting my birds from Prettybird to Roudybush. I'm waiting to see how I like it...

[Mizzely]

I've wondered the same thing regarding quakers. This is my little rant, Breeze is on regular roudybush and suffers from Vit. A deficiency. Makes me wonder if it's the roudybush or they all lose their vitamin content? I'm sure they all do, but I have to wonder if one brand might do it more than another? I'm not a lover of zupreem either, but roudybush is all I can get breeze to eat and even then she just picks at them now and does not eat them as well as she should, she seems to be developing a distate for them also. She'd live on bountiful harvest and seeds if she could get by with it. lol. She won't touch harrisons either. Jewel wouldn't touch TOPS, but when I tried it the second time, she loved them!

I offer Natural/TOPS mixed 50:50 every day, and then I alternate between Bountiful Harvest, Goldenfeast Petite Hookbill Legume, and my custom seed mix as a side dish. The only thing ever left is the TOPS lol. Koopa will eat some of them, but not much. Jingo will also eat around the TOPS, and then screech and screech until I add more Natural

Maybe I'll just add in some Roudybush into the pellet mix I already have and they can eat whatever they please! I feel like I'm putting too much thought into this...their diet is less than 50% pellets anyways, with the remainder being good fresh foods, so really, should it matter that much what they eat for their cage mix

[Mizzely]

I just started converting my birds from Prettybird to Roudybush. I'm waiting to see how I like it...

Good luck!!

[Jazzysmama]

I'm getting tired of the pellet battle with Breeze. I'm just about ready to forget it and use powdered vitamins on her fresh food.

[Monica]

A parrots weight can fluctuate depending on the seasons. I've actually noticed that my birds are eating more food now than a few weeks ago. Exercise also plays a role.... muscle weighs more than fat.

I'd recommend the regular Roudybush over the low fat, personally...


Jazzysmama, it's possible, however each birds body is different, and how they process the nutrients vary. You can have two birds of the *same* species on the *same* diet, and one could still be deficient in a vitamin or mineral! You might try switching pellets, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll "fix" the issue.


Just because a bird doesn't like it the first time around, doesn't mean they'll hate it the second time around. My guys were like that with *BOTH* TOP's and Harrison's, but now, they seem to eat either one. First time around though, they weren't big on eating pellets period, so getting them *to* eat pellets, and more than just one wasn't very simple. The more they got used to pellets, and eating them, the more willing they were to try other brands.