Eclectus Diet?

[Anonymouse]

So I'm thinking about getting an eclectus, however I'm a bit confused on their diet. I've been reading a lot of sites saying they should be on 90% fruits and veggies, and 10% pellets. Some people say they only give theirs 10 pellets a week or less. So should eclectus' be fed fresh food all day and only have pellets as a rare treat? Also what foods should they get everyday because I know they can suffer from certain deficiencies in their diet. I've attached a document that has the foods that can eat, would you recommend I add or take away anything?

 

[Ali]

Hello there,

I have found similar to you. This website looks quite good, and has a good list of safe and unsafe foods...

Dietary Information for Eclectus Parrots From a Respected Specialist Breeder

Eclectus require specialized diets. We provide accurate dietary information about Eclectus diets, toxic and deadly foods, essential vitamin requirements and much more.

www.eclectusparrotbreeders.com

Hope this helps and I hope you are able to get one soon!

 

[Ali]

By the way, I don't have any experience with this species so you may want to wait for some better advice.

 

[tka]

I think you'll find this thread useful: Eclectus only please- Diet study :)

Also tagging @mythic55 who is conducting research on eclectus diets

 

[Monaco]

There's a lot of misleading information in the pdf. The entire list of grains are all legumes, and it's missing vital quantity information, especially for beginners. The vit a situation for ekkies is different from the issues that tend to appear in the more common species, and is related specifically to synthetic vitamin a. There's just too much off about it to take it seriously. Please don't use it as anything more than a list of edible plants.

They certainly do need a lot of fresh food and a lot of fruit compared to similar sized species. The dietary needs have been very slow to change in the industry at large. They are truly unique in a variety of ways.

How you feed your prospective bird will also be determined by its age and habits. Mine, for example, is 20, set in her ways, and it's been difficult to introduce fresh foods and in sufficient variety to make real dietary changes for the better. My newest skill is creatively hiding food in other food. It definitely takes dedication.

 

[Shezbug]

So I'm thinking about getting an eclectus, however I'm a bit confused on their diet. I've been reading a lot of sites saying they should be on 90% fruits and veggies, and 10% pellets. Some people say they only give theirs 10 pellets a week or less. So should eclectus' be fed fresh food all day and only have pellets as a rare treat? Also what foods should they get everyday because I know they can suffer from certain deficiencies in their diet. I've attached a document that has the foods that can eat, would you recommend I add or take away anything?

I personally would not feed peanut at all due to chances of aspergillosis plus they’re not a healthy nut nor would I feed very much asparagus if any as asparagus can cause gut upset.
Pellets have been linked to many serious health issues in Ekkies so a fresh food diet is preferred for them.

Edit: had to remove a tag that was not needed cos I’m a tool lol.

 

[Monaco]

Hello there,

I have found similar to you. This website looks quite good, and has a good list of safe and unsafe foods...

Dietary Information for Eclectus Parrots From a Respected Specialist Breeder

Eclectus require specialized diets. We provide accurate dietary information about Eclectus diets, toxic and deadly foods, essential vitamin requirements and much more.

www.eclectusparrotbreeders.com

Hope this helps and I hope you are able to get one soon!

I did really find a lot of helpful information in their book. The authors even communicated with me directly. I appreciate their attention and methods, but the diet they use is weighted (pun intended) to the higher caloric and nutrition required for very active and breeding birds. None of it is poor information, but it's important to recognize that is where they're coming from in the book.

 

[Monaco]

I personally would not feed peanut at all due to chances of aspergillosis plus they’re not a healthy nut nor would I feed very much asparagus if any as asparagus can cause gut upset.
Pellets have been linked to many serious health issues in Ekkies so a fresh food diet is preferred for them.

Edit: had to remove a tag that was not needed cos I’m a tool lol.

Too late!

 

[Anonymouse]

Thank you so much. I want to make sure I understand their diet before getting one to start off on the right foot. I'll definitely do some more research on diet.

 

[Hankmacaw]

@mythic55

 

[EccieK]

So I'm thinking about getting an eclectus, however I'm a bit confused on their diet. I've been reading a lot of sites saying they should be on 90% fruits and veggies, and 10% pellets. Some people say they only give theirs 10 pellets a week or less. So should eclectus' be fed fresh food all day and only have pellets as a rare treat? Also what foods should they get everyday because I know they can suffer from certain deficiencies in their diet. I've attached a document that has the foods that can eat, would you recommend I add or take away anything?

this is a good website too get all your info from I also posted a chop recipe that works wonders since they cannot avoid eating all the wonderful goodness in it!
Eclectus Parrots | Beauty of Birds AVOID AVOID seed especially any that have vitamin supplements Im going to be trying "goldenfeast" Goldn' obles I
ive got it on order. its designed for Eccies as a pellet, without the supplements. of course check out that site its a treasure trove of info! and if you want my chop recipe let me know