Budgie won't eat pellets.

[englishbudgielover]

So I have had my English Budgie for almost a month and a half, and he was raised to eat only unhealthy fatty seed. I am trying to get him off of it. I have tried mixing pellets and seeds he eats around it. I have tried grinding pellets up and he only east the seed. I have tried grinding adding water and seed he won't eat it. Please help me with the most ways possible because I know this can shorten their lifespan significantly along with lowering their happiness.

[Azalea]

First, there are bird owners who don't believe in feeding pellets. They use good-quality seed in healthy amounts, along with plenty of vegetables and some fruit and nuts. "Pellets vs. pellet-free diet" is a heated debate on most bird forums. (This forum is more friendly about it.)

I now feed my birds a smaller amount of pellets, with more vegetables and good-quality seed...but the pellets are still there to help "cover the bases" of nutrition.

Will your Budgie eat any vegetables? If so, you can try grinding the pellets and mixing them in. The pieces will be difficult for the bird to separate.

Also, what brand are the pellets? What colors? I've read about birds disliking certain colors.

[Hezz]

Azalea has mentioned some good points in her above post. Coloured pellets might look more attractive in a bowl but don’t do anything to help the bird, plus there are good quality pellets, and some that are low quality. Also, while years ago many vets pushed the all-pellet diet, particularly in one particular country, thankfully many have now recognised that it isn’t the be-all and end-all of bird nutrition. Most recommendations you will find both from vets in person and on-line will advocate for a mix something along the lines of 50% fresh food, 20% pellets, 20% seed and the rest being nuts and treats.

I would also add that month and half is not long to transition a bird’s diet. Birds need to be wary of things they are not familiar with so all changes need to be made slowly.

[Azalea]

Feb 1, 2024 23:47:25 GMT Hezz said:

Azalea has mentioned some good points in her above post. Coloured pellets might look more attractive in a bowl but don’t do anything to help the bird, plus there are good quality pellets, and some that are low quality. Also, while years ago many vets pushed the all-pellet diet, particularly in one particular country, thankfully many have now recognised that it isn’t the be-all and end-all of bird nutrition. Most recommendations you will find both from vets in person and on-line will advocate for a mix something along the lines of 50% fresh food, 20% pellets, 20% seed and the rest being nuts and treats.

I would also add that month and half is not long to transition a bird’s diet. Birds need to be wary of things they are not familiar with so all changes need to be made slowly.

Would that be the USA? If so, I am not surprised! We seem to have fewer people who accept the "no pellet" diet.

People are...interesting...here in the USA.

On the one hand: "YOU NEED PELLETS! LISTEN TO YOUR VET! ANY VET WILL TELL YOU! PELLETS! PELLETS!"

On the other hand: "Yeah, the vet says to stop giving the dog hamburgers and ice cream, but he eats it all the time and he's fine."

[Hezz]

Feb 2, 2024 16:15:40 GMT Azalea said:

Feb 1, 2024 23:47:25 GMT Hezz said:

Azalea has mentioned some good points in her above post. Coloured pellets might look more attractive in a bowl but don’t do anything to help the bird, plus there are good quality pellets, and some that are low quality. Also, while years ago many vets pushed the all-pellet diet, particularly in one particular country, thankfully many have now recognised that it isn’t the be-all and end-all of bird nutrition. Most recommendations you will find both from vets in person and on-line will advocate for a mix something along the lines of 50% fresh food, 20% pellets, 20% seed and the rest being nuts and treats.

I would also add that month and half is not long to transition a bird’s diet. Birds need to be wary of things they are not familiar with so all changes need to be made slowly.

Would that be the USA? If so, I am not surprised! We seem to have fewer people who accept the "no pellet" diet.

People are...interesting...here in the USA.

On the one hand: "YOU NEED PELLETS! LISTEN TO YOUR VET! ANY VET WILL TELL YOU! PELLETS! PELLETS!"

On the other hand: "Yeah, the vet says to stop giving the dog hamburgers and ice cream, but he eats it all the time and he's fine."

“Interesting” is an interesting word to use. *chuckle, chuckle* There was one person who got their knickers in a right twist over my stating the bleedin’ obvious and naming that particular country, so in the interests of global harmony no names shall pass through my typing fingers.