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The basic idea behind this method of switching is to make it easier for the bird to eat pellets than seed. We are not trying to starve the bird, but at the same time we are going to make him have to make an effort to eat seed rather than pellet. First, if you don’t already have, then you should have, 3 bowls near the top of the cage: water, seed, veggie/fruit. Everyday, whether or not the bird is on seed or pellet, he should be offered about a "meals worth" of veggies &/or fruit for breakfast (either fresh or frozen & warmed). A meal for an Amazon size bird is about a tablespoon. A meal for a cockatiel size bird is about a teaspoon. WEEK 1: Bowls near top of cage are as follows: 1. Water 2. Veggie 3. 50% Seed, 50% Pellets All that you are doing WEEK 1 is "taste-testing". More than likely the bird will toss the pellets out of the bowl. This is fine. Just be consistent.
WEEK 2: Bowls near top of cage are as follows: 1. Water 2. Veggie 3. Pellet Plus a 4th bowl placed at the bottom of the cage with the plenty of seed. Probably this week the bird will ignore the pellets and climb down to eat the seed. This is also fine.
WEEK 3: Bowls are the same as week 2 with the following adjustment: In the seed bowl in the bottom of the cage put a measured amount of seed (eg 1/2 cup for an Amazon sized bird). By the end of this week, the bird is getting really tired of going down to the bottom of the cage to get food. You can probably see his wing on his hip as he decides if he wants to make the effort to go down to get seed, or try those pellets that are mighty handy to eat. You will notice some crackles of pellets although you will probably not get a significant amount of eating until week 4.
WEEK 4: Bowls are the same as week 3 except that now in the seed bowl on the cage bottom you put 1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon of seed. Each week continue to remove an additional tablespoon of food (week 5 put 1/2 cup minus 2 tablespoons, week 6 put 1/2 cup minus 3 tablespoons, etc). For small birds (cockatiels, etc) only remove 1 teaspoonful at a time. Continue to remove seed until eventually you will realize that there is no way that the bird is surviving just on the seed you are putting in the cage. Remember, we are not trying to starve the bird. If you have any doubts as to how much the bird is eating the pellets, stay at the same level for another week or more as needed. Most birds convert completely in about a month. Some may take up to 7 months. If you are convinced that the bird will not convert, you may want to try a different pellet - but start the conversion process from the beginning if you do.
Pellets & why to feed which one. There are 3 basic "flavors" of pellets available for birds: Pretty Bird & Kaytee & Zupreem are fruity & have food coloring & preservatives. Lafeber & Roudybush are molassesy-sweet and don’t appear to have food coloring. Harrison’s is nutty and organically grown and has no food coloring or preservatives. It is only available through veterinarians and tends to be more expensive than the other brands. However if you are only feeding a few birds, this is usually not a concern. Based on your birds nutritional needs and dietary preferences, select the brand and type of food you need. Dr. Carpino can recommend a specific product for your bird.
How much should your bird eat? The real question is " how much will your bird waste?". Some birds eat fastidiously over the bowl. Others grab a fistfull of pellets(/seed) and let them all drop except the piece they intend to eat. However,a fair rule of thumb is that a 500 gram bird (Large Amazon) will probably go through 5 lbs a month (consumption and waste). |
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