This idea for thread began as an offer to assist one member who lives local to myself. Featherbaby (Astrid) has tried various methods to convert her beloved Alex, Ceddy, from seed to pellets based on the advice given to her by her AV. So after a few discussions Featherbaby and I thought we'd do a "Real-Time" thread of the conversion. However, I also know that there are many members here who have struggled with, or had little success in, converting their parrots from seed to pellets. After some consideration I thought it might be a great idea to try and assist other members at the same time with this process. My two extremely picky Hooded Parrots took several attempts and 3 months to convert and to my AV's knowledge this is the only time he is aware of that an adult pair of Hooded Parrots have been successfully converted from a seed-based diet to a pellet-based diet. So I know from first-hand experience that the method we will be employing works. It is also a good method for converting a bird from one brand of pellet to another.
So why should you convert your seed eating parrot to pellets? Seed based diets lack the all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements your parrots need to maintain optimum health. The other good thing about them is that they provide all these goodies in the correct quantities. If your parrot is receiving all the nutrition he/she needs you'll find he/she will be more active, the feathers after moulting will look even better, less flakiness on the beak, better skin on their feet. A strong healthy bird also has a strong healthy immune system, which means it is less likely to succumb to disease caused by malnutrition. Any Avian Vet will tell you that in over 90% of cases where they see an ill bird, it can be traced back to malnutrition at some point in the bird's past. Chiku, my Hooded Hen, came to me with a sinus infection that kept recurring despite repeated treatment, but after conversion to pellets there has never been a further episode. IMO, for those of you who have yet to convert you parrots to pellets you are missing a great opportunity. Pellets are not just something to consider when one of your birds becomes ill, but should be used for the lifetime of your birds, as prevention is always better than cure. Pellets are not the "be-all and end-all" of your beloved parrot's diet, but they should make up a significant proportion. I am not one who subscribes to the theory that small birds should not be given pellets. My Hooded Parrots weigh in at a meagre 60-65g each and they absolutely thrive on their pellets. Their diet consists of around 70% pellets and approximately 30% fresh foods.
For Australian members who wish to take part in this project, we will be using Vetafarm Maintenance Pellets. For North American members who wish to take part in this project we will be using Zupreem Naturals. Both these pellets were very carefully chosen for this project primarily because of their water absorption qualities, relative availability and their suitability for the conversion method to be employed. I came up with the pellet for our North American members in consultation with Avian Avenue's own "Pellet Princess" Mizzely (Shawna). Mizzely is absolutely obsessed with pellets and there are very few people on this forum who are as knowledgeable about all the properties of the pellets available to the average punter as she is. I contacted her and told her what properties the pellet required for this project and this was her recommendation based upon the specifications I provided her with. Please note that this is not a pellet type and/or manufacturer debate, it is purely a conversion thread. Your bird can be swapped onto another pellet once the conversion is complete.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT:
1). Please insure that your bird is in good health; and
2). If you own an Ekkie, Parrotlet and/or any other bird that is known to have adverse reactions related to pellet consumption please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
3). If your bird is ill, please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
4). If your bird is currently on, or just completed a course a medication please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
5). Please stick to one of the two pellets listed during the conversion process. They have been specifically chosen for their suitability for this project and the conversion method to be employed; and
6). Just try converting one bird at a time. If your bird co-habitates with another then we will be converting them both. Once you've converted one, then you can do the rest on your own; and
7). Please do not take any short-cuts. Short-cuts usually result in failed conversion attempts which means you will need to start all over again; and
8). Please register that you are participating by replying to this thread. I cannot assist you if I don't know that you are participating; and
9). Do not worry if you do not succeed on your first attempt. Seed junkies are not always easy to convert and it took me 3 attempts; and
10). Some birds will convert more quickly than others so don't worry if other members birds complete the process more quickly than your own. Every bird is an individual; and
11). You will need to be more stubborn, resilient, determined and show more resolve than your parrot if you are to succeed.
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED
1). An accurate electronic scale that measures in grams.
2). 2kg (4.5lb) of the seed mix you currently feed your parrot.
3). 2kg (4.5lb) of either Vetafarm Maintenance Pellets or Zupreem Natural Pellets (please insure that the Zupreem Naturals is the suitable size pellet for your parrot. Vetafarm Maintenance only comes in one size).
4). Lukewarm tap water
5). A journal (Excel spreadsheet is also good) to keep notes and figures so that you have something in writing you can revisit for future reference.
6). Lots of patience.
HOW DO I START STAGE 1?
1). Reply to this thread so I know that you are participating in this project; and
2). Between now and New Year's Eve weigh the amount of seed your bird consumes every day so we can gain an average consumption; and
3). Weigh your bird 3 times between now and New Year's Eve to get an average weight; and
4). Enter the information from 2 & 3 by editing your initial reply to this thread as it will assist in keeping the thread as compact as possible (it will be long enough as we go from Stage to Stage); and
5). Acquire the items you will need before New Year's Day; and
6). I will give you instructions as we go along in stages, but the method we will be using is based upon the method described in my post in this thread Finally-A Pellet They Eat!
7). Don't jump the gun. Between now and New Years Eve please do the preparation in gaining an average consumption of seed and an average weight of the bird you intend to convert and consulting with you AV if required.
Last, but not least. I cannot guarantee that you will successfully convert your parrot from seed to pellets, but I would expect at least a 95% success rate with this method if you follow my instructions as we go along and don't give up. There will be times where your bird will not look particularly impressed with proceedings, but as long as you persist you will eventually succeed. Some birds will be converted in a matter of weeks, others will take several months if they are particularly stubborn. As long as you are willing to persist then I will be here to assist.
So why should you convert your seed eating parrot to pellets? Seed based diets lack the all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements your parrots need to maintain optimum health. The other good thing about them is that they provide all these goodies in the correct quantities. If your parrot is receiving all the nutrition he/she needs you'll find he/she will be more active, the feathers after moulting will look even better, less flakiness on the beak, better skin on their feet. A strong healthy bird also has a strong healthy immune system, which means it is less likely to succumb to disease caused by malnutrition. Any Avian Vet will tell you that in over 90% of cases where they see an ill bird, it can be traced back to malnutrition at some point in the bird's past. Chiku, my Hooded Hen, came to me with a sinus infection that kept recurring despite repeated treatment, but after conversion to pellets there has never been a further episode. IMO, for those of you who have yet to convert you parrots to pellets you are missing a great opportunity. Pellets are not just something to consider when one of your birds becomes ill, but should be used for the lifetime of your birds, as prevention is always better than cure. Pellets are not the "be-all and end-all" of your beloved parrot's diet, but they should make up a significant proportion. I am not one who subscribes to the theory that small birds should not be given pellets. My Hooded Parrots weigh in at a meagre 60-65g each and they absolutely thrive on their pellets. Their diet consists of around 70% pellets and approximately 30% fresh foods.
For Australian members who wish to take part in this project, we will be using Vetafarm Maintenance Pellets. For North American members who wish to take part in this project we will be using Zupreem Naturals. Both these pellets were very carefully chosen for this project primarily because of their water absorption qualities, relative availability and their suitability for the conversion method to be employed. I came up with the pellet for our North American members in consultation with Avian Avenue's own "Pellet Princess" Mizzely (Shawna). Mizzely is absolutely obsessed with pellets and there are very few people on this forum who are as knowledgeable about all the properties of the pellets available to the average punter as she is. I contacted her and told her what properties the pellet required for this project and this was her recommendation based upon the specifications I provided her with. Please note that this is not a pellet type and/or manufacturer debate, it is purely a conversion thread. Your bird can be swapped onto another pellet once the conversion is complete.
IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT:
1). Please insure that your bird is in good health; and
2). If you own an Ekkie, Parrotlet and/or any other bird that is known to have adverse reactions related to pellet consumption please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
3). If your bird is ill, please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
4). If your bird is currently on, or just completed a course a medication please contact your AV to assess it's suitability for this project before participating; and
5). Please stick to one of the two pellets listed during the conversion process. They have been specifically chosen for their suitability for this project and the conversion method to be employed; and
6). Just try converting one bird at a time. If your bird co-habitates with another then we will be converting them both. Once you've converted one, then you can do the rest on your own; and
7). Please do not take any short-cuts. Short-cuts usually result in failed conversion attempts which means you will need to start all over again; and
8). Please register that you are participating by replying to this thread. I cannot assist you if I don't know that you are participating; and
9). Do not worry if you do not succeed on your first attempt. Seed junkies are not always easy to convert and it took me 3 attempts; and
10). Some birds will convert more quickly than others so don't worry if other members birds complete the process more quickly than your own. Every bird is an individual; and
11). You will need to be more stubborn, resilient, determined and show more resolve than your parrot if you are to succeed.
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED
1). An accurate electronic scale that measures in grams.
2). 2kg (4.5lb) of the seed mix you currently feed your parrot.
3). 2kg (4.5lb) of either Vetafarm Maintenance Pellets or Zupreem Natural Pellets (please insure that the Zupreem Naturals is the suitable size pellet for your parrot. Vetafarm Maintenance only comes in one size).
4). Lukewarm tap water
5). A journal (Excel spreadsheet is also good) to keep notes and figures so that you have something in writing you can revisit for future reference.
6). Lots of patience.
HOW DO I START STAGE 1?
1). Reply to this thread so I know that you are participating in this project; and
2). Between now and New Year's Eve weigh the amount of seed your bird consumes every day so we can gain an average consumption; and
3). Weigh your bird 3 times between now and New Year's Eve to get an average weight; and
4). Enter the information from 2 & 3 by editing your initial reply to this thread as it will assist in keeping the thread as compact as possible (it will be long enough as we go from Stage to Stage); and
5). Acquire the items you will need before New Year's Day; and
6). I will give you instructions as we go along in stages, but the method we will be using is based upon the method described in my post in this thread Finally-A Pellet They Eat!
7). Don't jump the gun. Between now and New Years Eve please do the preparation in gaining an average consumption of seed and an average weight of the bird you intend to convert and consulting with you AV if required.
Last, but not least. I cannot guarantee that you will successfully convert your parrot from seed to pellets, but I would expect at least a 95% success rate with this method if you follow my instructions as we go along and don't give up. There will be times where your bird will not look particularly impressed with proceedings, but as long as you persist you will eventually succeed. Some birds will be converted in a matter of weeks, others will take several months if they are particularly stubborn. As long as you are willing to persist then I will be here to assist.