Crushing large pellets to feed to a cockatiel?

[hrafn]

Due to recent health problems, my veterinarian has recommended switching my cockatiel from Lafeber Nutri-pellets to the High Potency Harrison's pellets. Unfortunately, there is only one store in my entire province that sells Harrison's, and they're out of stock of all bag sizes of High Potency Fine and don't seem likely to get it back in stock any time soon. They do, however, have the Coarse size in stock, which is meant for cockatoos, macaws and the like.

Could I break the coarse pellets down to a cockatiel-friendly size? My only other option is buying the Fine size online, which could take weeks for delivery and my bird is pretty ill so I'm not really willing to wait that long.
The super-fine size is also available at the shop, but I don't know whether they would be too small. Basically, I don't know what I'm doing.

Thoughts?

 

[Hankmacaw]

Of course you can break the larger pellets down into a size more suited to cockatiel. SAME STUFF OUT OF A DIFFERENT MACHINE.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

I'd break it down until you can get the correct size. You can use a chopper or a clean coffee grinder. I'm sorry your birdie is having health problems.

 

[WendyN]

I have fed my tiels the superfine, though the fine works best.
Could you get the superfine locally and order the fine online?

 

[WendyN]

You are doing the right thing by asking forum members.
Sometimes I have to mix in the current food with the new food to make the transition.

 

[JLcribber]

A coffee bean grinder works well to smash them up.

Dry pellets are hard on the system. You can moisten (and soften) the pellets instead of crumbling them up also.

 

[Lady Jane]

or a food processor would do the job. Can you get deliveries from Amazon? They have them all the time.

 

[BeeBop]

Yes you can. I actually did that for my tiel' while transitioning her to pellets.

 

[Mizzely]

Yep

 

[alshgs]

I believe so! The only place that sells Harrison's is my vet but thankfully I haven't ran into the issue with them running out...yet

 

[Heather F]

As others said, definitely yes, although if your bird decides to be finicky and refuse to eat ones that aren't exactly the right uniform size for their discriminating palate you may see a bunch pitched overboard.

There are also a few Canadian vendors that sell the Fine online so you should be able to get some that way at least.

I'm sorry your little bird is unwell! I hope they feel better soon!

 

[Monica]

You can try feeding the course whole, or, as mentioned, breaking them down. Just so you know, the course and fine are not the same.


HIGH POTENCY COARSE
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min.) 18%, crude fat (min.) 15%, crude fiber (max.) 6.5%, moisture (max.) 10%.

HIGH POTENCY FINE
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min.) 20%, crude fat (min.) 12%, crude fiber (max.) 5%, moisture (max.) 10%.


Was the vet able to figure out what's wrong with your tiel?

 

[Pockets]

I feed both high potency "Fine" and maintenance "Super Fine" - My Bourke's eats both. I'd say crushing them up shouldn't be an issue at all for your bird, considering how similar the two are. Just avoid over crushing and creating pellet concrete!

Otherwise check out Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Harrisons-Hi...824?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=521G3BRR6HDCNBE0K1PK