Switching to Pellets

[CheekyandMalolo]

After reading up a bit and talking to our Avian Vet about it, I want to change our GCC's(Cheeky) diet to pellets. But on the advice of our Vet we want don't want to change our Cockatiel's diet. Apparently there's some research about liver damage? I've also read Michael mention it somewhere.
The problem is, Cheeky lives with a Cockatiel named Ella, and if we change Cheeky to pellets, how do we stop Ella from eating the pellets too? I know we could seperate them, but there's limited space in their house(they live at my partner's house) for another bird cage, and the cage would be huge for one little GCC, who isn't even flying yet. Cheeky and Ella are fairly in love with each other, and we'd hate to separate them. My partner also doesn't really understand the importance of feeding pellets instead of feeding seeds, so having to separate them just to Cheeky can have a different feed would be a big downer on it for him.
Is there any other way of changing Cheeky over to pellets, without having Ella eat them as well??

[pchela]

Hi,

Most likely your cockatiel won't even be interested in the pellets. Of course, your GCC may not be interested either.

Here is a discussion we were having earlier today about all pellet diets. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2820

[Michael]

I think your concern is more about how to keep the gcc from ignoring the pellets and eating the cockatiel's seeds.

[CheekyandMalolo]

I think your concern is more about how to keep the gcc from ignoring the pellets and eating the cockatiel's seeds.

Exactly, even if we separate them to change Cheeky's diet and get him used to pellets, and then put Ella back into their cage and offer both seeds and pellets, surely Cheeky would decide to eat the seed instead?? Perhaps a mix of seed and pellets in one bowl, let Ella eat the seed and hope Cheeky chooses the pellets??

[CheekyandMalolo]

Well I'm gonna head down to the bird store and see what they've got. I don't think I've ever taken notice of which stores have pellets or not...hmm

[bmsweb]

My Green Cheeks have been converted over to Pellets and the process was pretty simply and vetafarm have a video on youtube that shows you how.

In any case my Green Cheeks get seeds once a week and they will not even touch the pellets on that day. They still have their fruit and veggies but not the pellets. In all honesty the only way i see it working is using different cages.

If I had to rate what they like it would be 1. Seeds 2. Fruit/Veggies 3. Pellets

I also have 6 week old Green Cheeks and they seem to be eating everything with their preferance being fruit/veggies at the moment . . oh and Handrearing Formula

If you find a workaround I would love to hear it

[birdvet]

Here is what I posted under a similar topic "Pellets and colour mutations"

"Both Cockatiels and Budgies are seed eating desert birds so should not be placed on a 100% pellet diet that is not specifically formulated for tiels or budgies (there is a brand in Aussie that is tailored to these critters). These species are susceptible to excess calcium and budgies in particular are susceptible to any dietary calcium over 0.5% - its toxic!! The vitamin A content of pelleted diets also seems to be too high for these birds and can result in renal disease. Some avian specialists in Aussie theorise that budgies and Tiels, having evolved on a harsh diet, are really good at getting their nutrient requirements from the "sub-standard" diet so when offered a good quality diet they extract too many nutrients resulting in hypervitaminosis and hypermineralosis.
So I would continue to offer pellets (40-50%) with some seed (NOT sunflowers obviously but good quality millet etc.) and lots of fresh veges and a small amount of fruit. Remember, these guys didn't evolve with fruit in their diet so can't really process the sugars that well. Veges and grasses and other greens are more ideal."

For your situation, it might be easier for you to offer pellets and veges and fruit to your birds during the day and then separate your Tiel for an hour or two in the evening to eat purely seeds. Don't offer both and hope that Cheeky chooses pellets...that's like asking a 4 year old to choose broccoli over candy .

[Rue]

My 'tiels eat pellets and seed both...

[CheekyandMalolo]

(there is a brand in Aussie that is tailored to these critters)

Do you know what the name of this one is? I'm in Australia and struggling to find any kind of variety of pellet brands. So far I can only find Vetafarm and Roudybush. I might try and see if I can order any online.

[birdvet]

Go to Deb McDonald's webpage:

http://www.drmacs.com/drmacs.php

She is the founder/owner of Demac nutrition. Browse the site until you come across bird products. There you will see she has diets specifically for budgies, cockatiels, african greys etc etc.

I'm not sure if she supplies to pet stores or if you have to purchase direct from the company.

Good luck