Seeds vs. Pellets for Cockatiels?

[Gigglemug]

Lemme preface this by saying I don't feed my bird a 100% seed only diet. I have more common sense than to feed him only seeds and not try to give him other foods like fruits and veggies. That being said, I bought some bird food from Walmart whenever I got Mickey

this bag of food. It looked and smelled fine, and it was one of the biggest bags they had there, so I picked it up. I had heard from a relative previously that peanuts and sunflower seeds were a no-go, and I didn't know the little black seeds were sunflower seeds (I'm used to them being black and white), and I'd like to get a bag of food for him that has few or no sunflower seeds because they're fattening and he doesn't get out a lot (FYI I leave the cage door open, he's just shy). I know they're supposed to be on pellets, and he came with a small 8 oz container full of pellets that he won't touch. Any good food recommendations? I'm fine with seed/millet based feed but I'd like to know if there's any foods that people recommend, especially bigger bags that I can get at a big box store or shipped. I saw Higgin's Mayan Feed but it has sunflower seeds and I don't want him to become a little addict. AHP!

 

[Wannabirb?]

I've heard of people not feeding their cockatiels pellets but just high quality seeds and chop (I personally don't know how i feel about this though). If you are getting seeds don't get any with sunflower seeds or peanuts because sunflower seeds are high in fat and i think peanuts aren't very healthy, you could try picking those out though.

 

[Gigglemug]

I've heard of people not feeding their cockatiels pellets but just high quality seeds and chop (I personally don't know how i feel about this though). If you are getting seeds don't get any with sunflower seeds or peanuts because sunflower seeds are high in fat and i think peanuts aren't very healthy, you could try picking those out though.

I'd like to forego the process of manually picking out sunflower seeds, and I'd actually like to get him on pellets so his foraging box and toys can have seed.

 

[Respect]

What type of pellets did he come with? Some pellets are more appealing to picky eaters than others. I've heard good things about Zupreem when it comes to getting pickier birds to eat pellets, especially their fruitblend mix. Transitioning to pellets is often a very slow process, and there are multiple ways to go about it if one method doesn't work.

I don't know much when it comes to seed mixes. I know TOPs has a small bird mix without any peanut or sunflower, but I don't know how nutritious it is and I'm sure there are plenty of other brands that make sunflower-free mixes as well. Hopefully someone can offer more helpful advice

 

[Lady Jane]

I would feed the walmart seeds to the outdoor birds. The protein and fat are good for them because of the exercise they get from flying

 

[Kerry.S]

Zupreems fruit blend is great for transitioning picky eaters! For better seed mixes maybe you want to check this out? It’s a local brand I buy for my birds. They do have a sunflower free option, but i’d avoid it cause it has peanuts My birds love the “Natures garden” option plus it has some veg like celery flakes, spinach flakes and green peas. They do all have hulled sunflower seeds, though from my experience it’s been very few as there’s so many other ingredients. Anyone else who knows more about nutrition feel free to add as i’ve only ever fed this as a treat

 

[Jayced!!]

Zupreems fruit blend is great for transitioning picky eaters! For better seed mixes maybe you want to check this out? It’s a local brand I buy for my birds. They do have a sunflower free option, but i’d avoid it cause it has peanuts My birds love the “Natures garden” option plus it has some veg like celery flakes, spinach flakes and green peas. They do all have hulled sunflower seeds, though from my experience it’s been very few as there’s so many other ingredients. Anyone else who knows more about nutrition feel free to add as i’ve only ever fed this as a treat

Second this! Zupreem usually tends to appeal to picky eaters, though I've had some weird guys that have loved the super healthy ones like TOPS! Try some different pellets, Every bird has different pellets that they like! It'll do him good in the long run.

 

[Respect]

Try some different pellets, Every bird has different pellets that they like! It'll do him good in the long run.

Seconding this!! Some brands sell sample-sized baggies online so that you can try to see what he will and won’t eat. I know Harrison’s and TOPs both offer sample packs. Unsure if there are any others.