Should

Correction: I feed 30% of appx what they eat in a day as fresh vegetables.
If you are like me, you have heard that your Parrotlet:
1 - Should NOT eat pellets!
2 - They should!
1 - Not!
2 - But they are healthy!
1 - But pellets damage Parrotlets!
2 - I don't think it's proved and it is said to only do a certain species-
1 - It hurts their kidneys! Or was it liver?
2 - Pellets are a part of a parrot's healthy diet!
Yes, that is what an argument between two people online would sound like.
So, if you have a Parrotlet, what do you do? What's truly best for your Parrotlet's healthy and well-being?
What I do for my flock:
I think I do what you'll probably do too- I watch my Parrotlets. I monitor them and what they eat. I watch their energy, their feathers and see whether they are eating more seeds or pellets. My whole flock is fed fresh vegetables daily. In addition, they are given pellets. The nut eaters also get a mix of nuts and Macaw nut mixes. The seed eaters, generally the smaller parrots, also have a parakeet seed mix available to them.
I monitor my flock. When my Parrotlets are eating their seeds too and not eating any pellets, I don't refill their seeds, forcing them to balance some by eating some pellets. When it comes down to it, I find that most of my Parrotlets eat both, some eat more of one than the other and visa versa -- and I keep my eye on them, just like I'm sure you do.
I do what I think is best for my flock.
---
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[@jase123111]

I agree with you, your diet for the parrotlets is perfect. I breed them too (as well as other birds), but I NEVER feed any of my birds pellets. I have been keeping / breeding birds for 30 years. These is so much 'misinformation out there about pellets for birds (and other animals). The truth is feeding your bird ONLY pellets and water IS healthier than feeding birds ONLY seeds and water. BUT both these diets are bad and not natural for these birds. My opinion is seed eating birds should be fed seed as PART of their diet, and then sprouted seeds, vegetables, fresh herbs, hard boiled eggs (with shells) and SMALL amount of fruit. This diet, together with the addition of cuttlefish bone, mineral / iodine blocks UV light (unfiltered sunlight or special light bulb) will keep the birds in perfect health. The mistake people make is they feed way to big amounts / portions of the seeds, or leave seeds available for the birds to eat 24/7. This will make the birds fat, and they will always choose seeds over the other foods, so wont get a balanced diet and will develop health problems. Only feed the dry seeds morning and late afternoon, and only as much as the bird will eat in about half an hour, then take the remainder out. Keep the other fresh foods in the cage all day for them to eat freely. Remember to not let fresh food get bacteria on in hot weather! I do this method with all my birds except the very small ones such as finches, which need to eat more often. Monitor the weight of your pets birds, and adjust the quantities of seeds accordingly. They will need more in cold weather and more egg / sprouted seeds when moulting or breeding.

[@1hawaii21]

Very interesting. The internet really can be a black hole of misinformation. I think that’s why it’s so important to have a reliable source.😊

[@ParrotBliss]

Thanks!

[@laweaver5050]

Hi Kalyn! When you mentioned how so many people get misinformed by all the different messages on the internet I just had to share with you that I referred you when someone was asking about what kind of bird they should get. She had so many suggestions on so many different birds. I said if you want good info on anything to check you out, that you are very knowledgeable and you know your birds! Blissfully!!! (I didn't say Blissfully) I just told her that you are very helpful with any questions pertaining to birds🐦 And mentioned how you helped me a few times. I just wanted to share that with you because I do really appreciate all the help and great advice you have given me with my caiques. Thank you so much. Things are getting a lot better with Kiwi now. Him and Ozzy are getting along better. (Lots of preaning) I'm starting to be able to work with him better now and understand him better. That was a very good tip you gave me last time about concentrating on Ozzy. I have been and it seems to be working. Kiwi gets cranky at night so I'm able to work with that. He's something else though!! I'll have to send you a video of them. Take care ❤

[@ParrotBliss]

Yay! I am so glad to hear that they are doing better together and the whole thing is working for you. That was the goal! And thank you so much for recommending my channel! That's awesome!

[@Toddster63]

Mega helpful vid, Kalyn. I’ve lived with a freshly weaned blue Parrotlet, Flit, for a month. He came to me a sunflower seed addict, but would eat broccoli and corn (shame on his breeder for no abundance weaning). I converted him over to Harrison’s Sperfine and Tops Mini pellets, which he really enjoys now. He also loves his morning chop and China Prairie Micrograin sprouts; he turned out to be a great little eater (quite the opposite of my experiences with larger birds, notably ‘toos). But then when doing nutritional research on his diet, I came across the controversy about feeding pellets to color mutation parrotlets, and some of the sources appeared rather legit (including a once well known Parrotlet breeder I had met here in No California)… and I had just converted lil’ Flitty to enjoying pellets in his diet! Arrrg! But your vid has got me thinking that omitting pellets from any parrot’s diet makes for many, many hokes to fill nutrionally, and good lord, who has the time and energy to monitor filling them all. And there seem to be many, many owners and breeders who have had no issue (and for the ‘plets that did die young with liver issues-just what was the percentage of pellets in thier daily diet?!) Thanks for bringing me some comfort and more open thinking about caretaking for this silly, cuddly 29 gram bird that has really captured my heart!

[@ParrotBliss]

I loved reading your post, thanks for writing to me, Todd :) - Yeah, the pellet controversy freaked me out too. However, I know breeders who ONLY feed pellets to their Parrotlets (yeah, I know what you are thinking, I agree). My Parrotlets FLOCK to the fresh veggies when I bring them in the morning. It’s cute to see! I have it on a lot of reliable authority that the pellets are fine, but I am particular about my pellets. TBH, no pellet is perfect enough for my parrots… (yeah, I’m difficult when it comes to wanting and doing what I can to give everything I can to my birds). I recently met an African Grey breeder- he told me that when he acquires an African Grey they sometimes twitch due to a lack of calcium in their diet. AGs need A LOT of calcium. He said he fixes this within months by putting them on a good pelleted diet (and offering extra calcium for them in their cage). My point, I have no experience with anyone telling me that their parrot is doing poorly because of pellets. In a balanced diet - pellets and vegetables- (because I think that is imperative), they seem to thrive. I also give my Parrotlets some parakeet seed mix or millet- I usually do it on Fridays (because it is a special day to celebrate life) or when they ‘seem to need it.’ Of course, that’s when I look at them and get the feeling it’s time. I love that 29 grams stole your heart- I’m the same. I love all my parrots, but it makes me so happy to have a Parrotlet (or two) on my shoulder!

[@ktpuss]

Great video & info re balance being best….Just a note; parakeet mix = budgie mix if you’re from the U.K. 🤓 This is what we use so there’s no sunflower (safflower) as these are high fat and too much for smaller birds, including small conures too (which we have). I think if you have active & flying birds a couple sunflower seeds given just alone as training rewards is ok however.

[@ParrotBliss]

Thanks and agreed- yes, budgie = parakeet 😊, glad to hear from you in the UK. You sound parrot-savvy!

[@ReeferNoob23]

I love watching these parrot videos all of them even if I only have a pineapple cinnamon green cheek conure it's educational and in considering adding to my flock

[@ParrotBliss]

They are sweet, a Parrotlet would be a great addition. You might want to get two though, because it's unlikely they'll do well with the Green-cheek conure.

[@ReeferNoob23]

@@ParrotBliss yeah I was actually talking about a Hahns macaw and or a golden conure both are my dream birds that be a nice little flick there at any rate I already bug you enough for information on that lol

[@Loveofpets]

I have heard about the debate with feeding Parrotlets pellets. I have heard that its best to avoid the colored pellets. I have a friend with Parrotlets and she had fed them pellets for years without issues.

[@ParrotBliss]

I don't know if I forget to mention that I only use natural colors- thanks for posting, that reinforces what I have heard before. How's your flock? Your Sierra is my current favorite!

[@christiesilva6918]

Thank you for this importante information, i was wondering what those cute parrotlets eat

[@ParrotBliss]

You are welcome!

[@Dave-if5qj]

Pellets can be great for birds but no way a complete diet Plus im sure a rather boring For the diet bird

[@ParrotBliss]

Totally agree. I try to give plenty of fresh foods in the morning so that a significant part of their day's food is "real"

[@peppytheecky1703]

Why has my Amazon parrot stopped eating pellets all of a sudden? He ate it every day for 2 years then all of a sudden a few weeks ago he just stopped wanting to eat them. I give him pellets everyday and he just stares at it, doesn't even wanna touch it. I'm using the same brand too. He's going crazy, screaming a lot, acting hormonal, flying and biting. He eats other fruits and veggies but It's not much. I feel like he's agitated because he's not eating enough.

[@ParrotBliss]

Did he stop eating with a new bag of food? Perhaps you need a new back. Another problem is that fruit is high in fructose, which turns into fat. This can create diet issues, especially over time. Have you taken him to the vet? I’m very particular about my Amazon parrot’s diets. If I were you, I would go to the vet and keep working on pellets. Is he losing weight?

[@mustachadon]

@ 5:17

[@CinnoAJ]

I do a 30/70 split of seed mixed to pellets mixed but she only eats the seeds and leaves the pellets! she used to eat them but now any advice?

[@ParrotBliss]

Sepeate the seeds and pellets into different dishes and refill the seeds less and less so she can transition. I do this: 2 dishes. When the seeds are gone, they only have 1 choice left, pellets. When those are low/gone, I refill both again.

[@HeathuRRRR]

My breeder told me to use Roudybush nibbles, so they are a pellet, but a small piece. I also have a separate bowl with a seed mix. I give black oil sunflower in seed mix as a treat, why not sunflower - is it because they are too fattening???

[@ParrotBliss]

I like the ingredients in Roudybush (at least the pellets I looked at, I am guessing they are the same). I'll make a video on Parrotlets and sunflower seeds - - and I'll post a little about these seeds in #ParrotBlissFlock on FB groups

[@kristiejennings3697]

Should GCC get some seed with their diet?

[@ParrotBliss]

Great, great question! Please check tomorrow's video. It should go live around noon EST.

[@missourihoney]

What kind of pellets?

[@ParrotBliss]

I use small pellets with no food coloring- read the ingredients to see which you think works for you ingredient-wise. :)

[@missourihoney]

@@ParrotBliss Ty!

[@LionGoddess1]

you're saying to feed my parrotlet budgie mix when she isn't a budgie?

[@ParrotBliss]

What do you feed now?

[@LionGoddess1]

@@ParrotBliss I feed her seeds and whatever veggies are in my fridge minus the parrotlet hurting ones like onions and avocados a cockatiel mix and she isn't fat she eats more than just the sunflower seeds and she even eats some of the pellets but she could be driven to eat better I guess but I don 't see any good mixes where I live they all cater to bigger parrots and more well known parrots. I once did feed her budgie pellets that didn't seem to bother her.