How to get my new bird to eat pellets?

[englishbudgielover]

I just got an English budgie 3-ish days ago, and he will only eat a bad seed mix, and no vegetables. I want him on a mostly pellet diet with veggies and some treats, how should I get him to eat pellets. I heard you can grind it up  and add water, does that work? I heard they will eat around it otherwise.

[Azalea]

Jan 2, 2024 8:14:27 GMT englishbudgielover said:

I just got an English budgie 3-ish days ago, and he will only eat a bad seed mix, and no vegetables. I want him on a mostly pellet diet with veggies and some treats, how should I get him to eat pellets. I heard you can grind it up  and add water, does that work? I heard they will eat around it otherwise.

I've heard things about Budgies - and other birds - that ended up not being true. Don't be concerned about everything you hear. 

One thing that my husband and I do is crumble/crush slivered almonds or walnut pieces (be sure to get some that don't have any salt/sodium). We mix those into the Budgies' pellets and they like it! I think if you tried this, your Budgie might eat a few pellets along with the nut pieces.

Also, he might not like this particular brand of pellets, but I don't know if it's too soon for you to try another. Maybe another user here can make a suggestion.

[englishbudgielover]

The reason I am saying he might eat around it, is because my father has personal experience with his old bird that did that. I am also allergic to nuts so crushing nuts wont work anything else?

[ladybird]

I don’t know anything about pellets so I can’t comment, but I am sure someone else will be along to advise you soon. I feed my budgie on a really good seed bought from Haiths, I think a lot of users on here use them. As for veg etc, it’s early days yet but have you tried him with any. My boy is extremely fussy but he loves basil and mint also broccoli, cauliflower. …It’s a case of just keep trying. What’s his name? We would love to see some pictures please……

[Hezz]

You must remember that a pellet is not something that a bird recognises immediately as food. Also any transition of a bird’s diet must be done slowly to avoid gut upsets. Get a good quality seed mix, mix a small amount into the seed pot with the cheap mix and gradually over a week or two, depending how the bird is doing, increase the amount to good, decrease the amount of cheap until you have just the good seed to serve up. During this you can also add some pellets and if the bird begins eating them during this process, well and good. Add some veg to his diet every day; again it might take time for him to recognise them as food, but continue to give him the choice.

Crushing the pellets and adding some water, making a paste, and then sprinkling some seed over the top, press them into the “cake” can work.
Most of our members prefer to feed their budgies a good quality seed mix, the largest part of their diet being fresh food, with pellets coming a very poor third. Unlike most other pet parrots, budgies are a desert bird and most pellets have been formulated for the rainforest parrots.

[Azalea]

Many members here are in the UK, and they don't prefer pellets, as Hezz said. I am in the USA. I think more people should abandon this iron-clad "birds need pellets!!!" rule. A lot of owners here believe it. You will find some heated "pellets or not" debates on other forums. And there are those "experts" on social media. Several of them teach that a pellet-free diet is always bad.

I read one comment on another website: "Pellets are there to 'cover the bases'". I think this is a good description. They can be useful for extra nutrition...but owners do keep healthy birds without feeding pellets.

[Loz]

I was firmly against pellets until recently. I provided quality seeds and a good variety of veggies and I felt that pellets were not needed.

Unfortunately, I was faced with a number of budgies whose weights were climbing to dangerous levels. In desperation, I embarked on a pellets & seeds strategy, where a relatively small number of seeds are supplied once per day and any hungry budgies have pellets available to fall back upon, day & night. I've adjusted the amount of seeds I make available to ensure that budgie weights do not climb too high, or fall too low. I'm not 100% certain that I have it absolutely right yet but it's close. And I can fine tune the mix by throwing in nutriberries and this is the final piece I need to finish the jigsaw puzzle of budgie diets.

I can tell you, it is not easy to fine-tune a diet for sixteen budgies

[ladybird]

You are such a good bird daddy Loz…..I take my hat off to you 👏👏👏👏👏. Can I ask where you buy your berries?  And would I be able to buy a small amount for Buddy?

[Loz]

Jan 3, 2024 14:38:47 GMT ladybird said:

You are such a good bird daddy Loz…..I take my hat off to you 👏👏👏👏👏. Can I ask where you buy your berries?  And would I be able to buy a small amount for Buddy?

Ladybird, the birbs control my every move now. I have no option but to do what they tell me.

This are the Nutriberries that I get (albeit I buy  them in a larger size!):

www.northernparrots.com/lafeber-nutriberries-original-budgie-and-cockatiel-food-284g/

Other sellers provide them so look around for deals on price and/or delivery.

I really like the nutriberries as the budgies (and Chocobo) need to work at them, so they are a fun game as well as a food source.

[ladybird]

Thank you Loz, I only have one birb but I feel the same way. He isn’t well at the moment ( I feel a vet visit coming on ) …..but I am not well also so it’s difficult as it’s so far away. The breeder is coming tomorrow to cut his nails and have a look at him , he says I worry too much and I do! But we love our little pals don’t we.

[Loz]

Jan 3, 2024 15:28:39 GMT ladybird said:

Thank you Loz, I only have one birb but I feel the same way. He isn’t well at the moment ( I feel a vet visit coming on ) …..but I am not well also so it’s difficult as it’s so far away. The breeder is coming tomorrow to cut his nails and have a look at him , he says I worry too much and I do! But we love our little pals don’t we.

It only takes the loss of one beloved feathered friend to create anxiety for everything that subsequent birbs go through. I know this from my own experiences and what I have read from others.
I try to take a firm line with myself - "I am ruining the joyful experience of budgies ownership by fretting and thinking only of the worst outcomes". It takes a conscious effort to focus on the fun and joy,  but at the same time remain vigilant.
I think it will help you greatly to have the breeder visit and give you an in-person appraisal. However, you also need to keep a cold hard hold on your imagination. I do try to take my own advice, with varying success.

[tweetiepiesmom]

I also give my Buddy the Lafeber nutriberries but, since its a USA company, they are not that expensive and easy to come by.