Food for Pod

[Wolf]

I am probably the very worst when it comes to pellets as I simply do not use them. The best way to get your bird to try any food is for you to eat it in front of him and let him start begging you to let him have some before you let him try it.
I know that you have received a lot of information and that you are trying your best to do the things that are best for Pod, but please relax a little and don't try to do it all at once. Trying to make the changes too quickly is frustrating for both Pod and you, besides it is better to go a little bit slower and give Pod the chance to adjust to the new things both mentally and physically. Dietary changes can be stressful for his body too, if it is done too fast.

[DanaandPod]

Thanks Wolf. I know... And, actually I have tried to get him to beg for it while I was eating. It is funny to see him just drop it out of his mouth.... and go away... the Tops pellets have some pretty amazing ingredients. they are made with all natural foods such as quinoa and barley etc. The problem I am having is that I don't want him to suffer nutritionally in the mean time...so I think I will go this route.

[Wolf]

If I were to use pellets for my birds Tops would be my choice.

[Pajarita]

Yes, mine too. Problem is, birds prefer the bad pellets over the good ones (thank goodness for gloop!).

Wolf is right, changing a bird diet takes a loooooong time and the trick is to do it gradually and as slow as the bird needs. I've had Zoey for over two years now and it's only now that I am beginning to feel she is eating a more rounded up diet. And, sometimes, they go from not trying anything to trying several new things at once - I found Zoey eating tomatoes, butternut squash AND yellow Swiss Chard in the last three days, all things she did not even try before.

Patience, persistence and perseverance will win the day.

[DanaandPod]

I made him a treat this evening by frying up some fresh ginger in a little coconut oil and put over some pasta and broccolli as a way to get him to eat broccoli. But, of course he picked out the pasta. Does anyone know of how to make pasta out of quinoa, wild rice, barley etc. etc.? That would help!

[DanaandPod]

What about RoudyBush? Does that have soy in it? I sort of like the idea of a shelf life... I would still give him fresh food too of course. Though, I wish he would eat some veggies other than peas. And, he still doesn't seem to like pepper flakes... Oh well.

[Wolf]

Ok, so you like the convenience of pellets and seeds , but still want to improve your birds diet. I understand that as well as the limited time that you have so although I don't like pellets here is a link for some good pellets and then a link for some healthier seeds for your bird.
http://www.windycityparrot.com/Totally- ... _2963.html
This second link is to the healthier seed mix which is mostly whole grains, I do use this product.
http://www.windycityparrot.com/Totally- ... _2965.html

I hope that these will help and both of these are soy free.

[liz]

I had always given seed free choice with fresh veggies everyday. Free choice seed raised the roof in the forum. Instead of taking the seed away, I added warm grain then the veggies. By the time they fill up on grain and veggie they rarely get to the seed. Maggie stand in the closest corner trying to use telepathy on me and Lola calls me until I bring the grain.