WHAT SHOULD YOU FEED YOUR BIRD? | My Parrots’ Complete Diet

[@maceyweaver1197]

I don’t think people know enough about proper diet. I’m so happy you made this video.

[@baileygail6797]

Macey Weaver yeah me too

[@Melissa-is7nm]

because pet store ppl only offer seeds but im lucky to have a good pet store where they sell harrisons pellets

[@lemonamon]

Same, didn’t know which pellets were good, I had a pack with a few colored ones, I’m now tryna find better ones

[@Random-xq4by]

Same.

[@maekenziec.4555]

My bird will not eat pellets we have tried everything! The home he had before only fed him seeds.

[@n1nted.h0e19]

“Birds can be stubborn” I could never agree more 😭

[@gerwinthetiel8878]

yess me: trying to teach my cockatiel to hang like a bat cockatiel: nope

[@jackreacher7189]

Birds can be stubborn just like humans..

[@giovanyssantiagoespada2288]

@@gerwinthetiel8878 hi

[@gerwinthetiel8878]

@@giovanyssantiagoespada2288 Hi!!!! 💚💚💚

[@rtdlkmiller7077]

yesss. Tryna get budgies to play on $20 playset Budgies- umm I prefer chewing on your carpet

[@BirdTricks]

Really cute to see the small birds go for the fresh foods 🥬🌱

[@mamathavikas]

BirdTricks I love your videos! I have a Galah Cockatoo and she likes coming on my hand when I am watching your videos!

[@kaylee4705]

BirdTricks I love your vids SO MUCH I don’t even have a bird 😂 but I’m getting one soon hopefully! I’m prob getting a cockatiel!

[@Nos3y]

I am getting a cockatiel soon!

[@kian.4306]

I have a scarlet macaw and green winged macaw ang blue and gold

[@shayaankabir4052]

@Ella and Ivy They already did.

[@babitakhurana5632]

The people who disliked it were actually jealous from her healthy birds.

[@Vk-uh7qp]

Yes true

[@babitakhurana5632]

😃😇

[@blackpinkcorner9213]

Yup!

[@abbykiss1073]

Or they just have fat fingers and they couldn’t press the 👍 button only the 👎

[@emeliospetsworld6405]

I was thinking, who would dislike this video? People i tell you. So much info. Very good video.

[@reginaphalange8390]

I got a parakeet for my birthday and he lived for 4 years. I did everything wrong because my mom just wouldn’t listen and I was so sad for him. I’m definitely going to get another bird (probably 2) when I move out and this time I’m going to make sure they’re as happy and healthy as possible!

[@candicet5973]

Same. When I was 7 I watched a cartoon and a character that I admired had a bird and I wanted a bird so I got 2 lovebirds that lived a horrible life because of me. They died because I didn't tame em right. Then they died in 2019. To replace them I got my budgie Mango in 2019. But I was a kid and only got a bird because I thought u get them home and boom they will bond to u right away and can teach thousands of tricks in 1 day. I didn't know u have to tame them. I didn't watch any videos so he lived in a small cage with plastic perches and no toys. Last year in October I found Elle's channel and I knew what a bird needs so the cage was still shipping (and so was the rest of the stuff) but he died just 2 days before I was going to move him. I was devastated (and still am) if I could turn back time I would tame him right and his life would be spared. Now that I know to proper way to care for birds I now have another budgie and a cockatiel that I love so much. I hope to give them the best life I possibly can from then on. I realized how long this was, so sorry for wasting your time

[@tithisings]

@@candicet5973 is the cartoon tweety bird? 😭

[@candicet5973]

@@tithisings no a different one 😭

[@tithisings]

@@candicet5973 ohhh i see im sorry they passed away tho 😔 my condolences 🙏

[@ant5894]

@@candicet5973 same I hate myself for it I rlly wish I could have gave them a better life, but I got new birds who I’m not letting down

[@Anythingandeverything1111]

I hope I can turn my birds diet around, Ive been feeding him seeds his whole life. Thank you so much for these videos.

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

I hope so too!

[@Anythingandeverything1111]

Live Laugh Birds I just got back from the bird store and my green cheek conure is actually going crazy about the pellets!! I got him the Harrison’s Adult life time fine, the same as yours! Thanks again!! Time to get him used to the chop 🙌. I made some for him a couple days ago and he wasn’t fond of it but I did mix a few pieces of apple with it 😅! Now I’ll use a few different veggies.

[@frogrocks5183]

Same I just watched this vid and I'll ask my mom if I can pay her to go to a pet store to get other food (I'll also ask for us to buy toys for them bec They only have ONE swing)

[@ecologist_to_be]

👏🏻👏🏻

[@Random-xq4by]

Seeds=😈 Veggies=😐 Fruit= 😋 Pellets=🤮 (According to May my 3 month old budgie)

[@stephanginther9051]

I thought I'd tell you a bitter sweet story I think you'll enjoy. When I was a little kid, 7 or so, we were at some office, I don't remember what kind or why. In the waiting room we sat for a few hours. Torture for a hyper 7 year old. Out of desperation I read a magazine and there was an article that was interesting enough to where I actually read the _whole thing._ First time I did that for things outside of school. The article said that in one of the national parks, they found a severely injured bald eagle. They actually had to amputate one of its wings. Afterwards, it had bonded with one of the rangers and he was given special permission from the state to take the bird home. The poor thing was in terrible health and was depressed. It was going bald (ironic for a bald eagle) and it was sickly. It barely ate and mostly sat in a corner staring at the wall all day long. Now shortly before all this happened, the ranger had started taking hang gliding lessons as a hobby. One day he got an idea and had a harness made for the eagle to be strapped to the wing of his glider. Then he took the bird up with him. Upon arriving home, the ranger opened the carrier and the eagle darted out and made a b-line for his food, wiping it out quickly and squawking to demand more. In the next several months, the feathers he lost started to came back, he gained weight and happily made himself at home in the rangers house. The poor guy simply missed flying. The hang gliding trips perked him right up.

[@maiseltheoneandonly4487]

Oh my gosh that’s so sweet 😊

[@dandelionsauce4946]

BRO THATS AMAZINGGG♡♡♡♡♡

[@cherylkinkaid6801]

Awww how sweet

[@skinney9542]

Oh wow I am so glad I read this today ❤️

[@Ilovemusic_B]

So sweet I hope the eagle stays happy🥰

[@keithbrown8368]

I just bought a pair of Baby budgies for my daughters Christmas presents. I gave them the talk about responsible pet ownership. I’m so glad we found your channel. We have decided to follow your advice and choose a healthy diet for our new family friends. My last cockatiel lived to the ripe old age of 23. Thanks, I believe to lots of time out of his cage and a varied diet.

[@roach107]

Awesome :)

[@kurapikakurta1997]

Good to see that you’re planning to take care of them, most birds bought for the purpose of a gift end up being re-homed.

[@sophia23346]

Jesus loves u he is coming back God will welcome u God is real he created all he cares he will never leave u ur never to far to turn back God bless u have a good day we have to be ready no one knows when Jesus will return or when well die 🤍God is real how could something so complex like the universe and humans be made from bacteria or rocks or evolution we just couldn’t God made it all and how could the things that people say made the universe get here if there was nothing God made it all💗

[@sophia23346]

@@kurapikakurta1997 Jesus loves u he is coming back God will welcome u God is real he created all he cares he will never leave u ur never to far to turn back God bless u have a good day we have to be ready no one knows when Jesus will return or when well die 🤍God is real how could something so complex like the universe and humans be made from bacteria or rocks or evolution we just couldn’t God made it all and how could the things that people say made the universe get here if there was nothing God made it all💗

[@sophia23346]

@@roach107 Jesus loves u he is coming back God will welcome u God is real he created all he cares he will never leave u ur never to far to turn back God bless u have a good day we have to be ready no one knows when Jesus will return or when well die 🤍God is real how could something so complex like the universe and humans be made from bacteria or rocks or evolution we just couldn’t God made it all and how could the things that people say made the universe get here if there was nothing God made it all💗

[@rynfornow3411]

The fact that you have an organized Amazon list for us just shows how dedicated you are to educate and give us what we need!!

[@sophia23346]

Jesus loves u he is coming back God will welcome u God is real he created all he cares he will never leave u ur never to far to turn back God bless u have a good day we have to be ready no one knows when Jesus will return or when well die 🤍God is real how could something so complex like the universe and humans be made from bacteria or rocks or evolution we just couldn’t God made it all and how could the things that people say made the universe get here if there was nothing God made it all💗

[@katrinarose6086]

Elle: “Kermit! You just dropped a entire chunk of sweet potato.” Kermit:”idc”

[@roach107]

XD

[@LadyVader]

I feed pellets as a base, veggies once a day, and seeds for training and foraging activities. I've found seeds really motivate my boy to forage and search. My pellet mix is a mix of Marlene's tops diet and Harrison's high potency. For veggies, I've found putting them on a kebab and making food into a toy also motivates him.

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

Ohh the kabob idea is awesome! I feed Marlene’s signature blend too!

[@LadyVader]

@@ElleAndTheBirds I've discovered if you make it into a toy or a game, food suddenly becomes a lot more interesting to birds 😂 gotta think like they do!

[@scaryfish6115]

@@ElleAndTheBirds sooo, is it posible to maybe send you some fan art? Like a picture of it or something like that? I dont have instagram, facebook, or tiktock. So maybe a gmail?

[@helens3230]

Lady Vader omg. So that’s what’s going on! I was so worried that my bird was starving but it’s not, he’s finally eating right and is highly seed motivated? I hope so, I finally got him to eat pellets. He seems a little desperate. Maybe that’s normal. I’ve had birds for years., it’s taken this long to learn about the chop and pellets.

[@crazygirlontheblock311]

@@ElleAndTheBirds Could you do some more cockatiel videos. During this quarantine, I'm doing research so that when its all over i can get a bird. However, I cannot find many care guides on them whatsoever . Your channel has really helped me find information, but could you maybe go in a bit more depth? Thank you so much,i have literally binged all your vids and there so good!

[@riddhiiyengar8304]

1:47 We hold these truths to be self-evident that not all pellets are created equal

[@umbraproductions7384]

Stella bubble vlogs Work Work, Bluebell, Work Work, Pearl! And Violet! The budgie sisters!

[@Void0208]

ANd wheN I MEET THOMAS JEFFERSON IMA COMPEL HIM TO INCLUDE WOMEN IN THE SEQUEL W O R K

[@breyanna.azucena]

My cockatiel HATES fruit... She loves veg But doesn’t like the taste of anything sweet!! She’s loves salts tho.... and the other day I left the salt shaker on the the table And she flew over and started nibbling on all the salt bits... No... she is not allowed to do that Yes... I make sure I put the salt away ALL the time now

[@scaryfish6115]

Ha

[@tupecktherappingparrot4345]

I think this is common for cockatoos & tiels to not always like sweet stuff. Our girl doesn’t either. And we’re ok with that cuz it’s one less struggle. Lol. There’s ways to get fruit into their diet if it’s needed tho. I’m learning about what diff species eat in the wild. It’s so diverse, that it’s impossible to think one diet can fit all. I think the future of parrot formulated diets might be to design different pellets for diff species. I’d love to get that discussion started. But go see what tiels eat in the wild. Sometimes that can provide good hints. Cockatoo owners in Australia often try to find natural plants they would eat in the wild & there they can get more of those things than we can in USA. But diff species eat very different things in the wild. That’s why varied diets can be good. I’m a big fan of mash & chops cuz then you can kinda customize it to the species a bit better. And She did a great job on this one! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 My boy’s aren’t big in Kale as conures but my too is. Except with toos u wanna be careful with too many leafy greens too cuz there’s an acid it that can not be super great in huge quantities so it’s all about balance and trying to discover what that species would eat in the wild. Often a mix of pellets, seeds, & mash/chop home cooked meals can help provide all the different things they would eat in the wild. Can’t expect a tropical Conure species to eat the same as a cockatoo in the bush of Australia. 😉

[@maddielynneasmr1599]

My cockatiel also doesnt like fruit flavors

[@skeletonlegss]

Breyanna Gobind i have a cockatiel too. it's a cockatiel thing to not like fruit, mine doesn't like vegetables that much either

[@luluhahahaha5231]

I have a cockatiel and he's the exact same! He won't touch fruit unless it's an apple lol. My sister had a cockatoo when I was younger and and she was kinda that way too

[@xoEASSTSIDE]

I gave my budgie a fruit as a treat once. Looked like he went to battle. 😂

[@eunilim]

I gave my budgie his first chop today! He went strait for it and enjoyed it! I put in orange, banana, carrot, and lettuce.

[@Stephanie568]

So far this is my fifth video of yours that I'm watching. KZbin recommended you to me today and I subscribed, I'm absolutely hooked! I'm not gonna get a bird but your videos are super interesting!

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

Thank you so much!!

[@legitparrot9766]

Your birds are so spoiled and healthy! :D

[@BirdAndbeyond]

I totally agree with you. Its not really simple. Who else agree that some of the birds can be more stubborn than teenage kids? 🙃

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

As a teenager I can agree 🤣

[@paipaikai]

Ha😀𓅿

[@blackpinkcorner9213]

U r the best bird mom i ever saw! Dislikes are by the birds who r jealous that ur birds are lucky that thy have such an amazing mommie..❤❤

[@brittneyallen7728]

Thank you! I recently got a bird and she was fed seeds most of her life and I've seen everyone say that seeds are very bad for birds but I never really watched/ learned anything about what specifically supposed to eat, I'm going to start trying to transition over to healthy food

[@marygintz1897]

You're my "go to" for setting up my parakeet's playroom. Really glad I found your videos. Tomorrow I will attempt to make "chop." :)

[@noprofile8503]

Good luck!👍🍀

[@jainaandemmasbiggestfans1042]

“I only know how to make bird food..... and that’s fine” 😂😂 best part💞 love yah

[@alineneves505]

I am here because I love birds ( I have a cocktail and a parrot) and cause I am learning English with your videos! Greetings from Brazil!

[@breyanna.azucena]

Aline Benites What type of parrot do you have?

[@alineneves505]

@@breyanna.azucena I have the Green Parrot, with the Brazil's flag colors 🇧🇷 Green, yellow and blue

[@annalisa14]

No bird should be sold without making sure the buyer has MEMORIZED your food and chop videos. You’re the best !👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@plewis1353]

So helpful. I rescued a parakeet that was flighting around outside flew into a neighbor’s garage. He was posted in our neighbor app. No one claim him he did not have a bird bracelet. Not sure how old he is but I do know he is older his beak area is very blue. He is very sweet and calm with me started eating from my hand. He would not eat without being hand fed. It was hard to get him to drink. Love all your advice on food and all the details on cages, natural branches and training. It has been about 48 years since I’ve owned a bird. I always loved birds. I have been pet-less for over 5 years. I am so excited that this little boy parakeet now named Jazz Berry found me. Elle all your videos has truly helped me and little Jazz💙🦜 Thank you so much, you truly were a life saver 💕💕💕

[@SandroS123]

when i saw your channel i realized that my bird needed good diet and activity. when he is out of the cage he only sits somewhere and doesn't move.

[@irisbudgie]

Me to

[@lilyann8080]

I'm literally taking notes right now... such a great video!!! :)

[@naitsaadasouaad1918]

Sammeee

[@naitsaadasouaad1918]

I’m getting a canary very soon!

[@cocomo.313]

I’m getting a bird soon, your videos have been a big help in preparing the cage, toys, food, and training supplies! Thanks so much!

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

I love your username! I’m so glad my videos helped!

[@norawells5960]

Live Laugh Birds hey can you tell me how to prepare for a budgie???

[@Vic64Y]

*IMPORTANT WARNING FOR PET BIRD OWNERS:* The food that we normally give to the canaries (and other companion birds) consisting of a "complete, balanced and top-quality seeds mixture" bought in pet stores or malls, makes the owners trust that their pet is well fed, but it's not so: indeed the birds health is at serious risk. WE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO DOMESTIC BIRD BREEDERS AND VETS and keep in mind that although we feed them with such a typical seeds mixture, our birds are very likely in danger of suffering a painful and unexpected PREMATURE DEATH BY FATTY LIVER DISEASE. Canaries, for example, will surely die at 4 - 7 years of age of the more than 15 that they can live. This is so because *the typical mixture contains low-fat seeds such as canary seed together with other VERY fatty seeds such as niger, hemp or nabine and, in addition, the birds usually prefer to eat the fatty seeds* so that their REAL DIET is unbalanced by excessive fat, gradually causes the fatty infiltration of the liver and in a few years causes fatty liver hepatitis and PREMATURE DEATH to pet birds. *Also the fruits because its sugars and specially the breeding paste and its pigments and THE SUNFLOWER SEEDS ATTACK THE LIVER* if they are taken too much or for too long. FLD IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF ILLNESS AND PREMATURE DEATH ON PET BIRDS; It's sad that pet birds are fated to die early and painfully in so many cases. You have to warn people to avoid it! It's a cruel disease that progresses silently and, when its unexpected symptoms begin, they are easily confused with other ailments so the owners usually postpone the visit to the vet at a time already critical for the life of the bird (besides that not all vets are trained to recognize this elusive and misleading disease, even to administer lipotropic and regenerative liver protectors in curative doses, just in case it's that and not a supposed blow). It's a process of slow and asymptomatic progression, but when its visible symptoms begin (acute phase) the disease accelerates. *SYMPTOMS OF THE ACUTE PHASE OF FATTY LIVER DISEASE:* First, overgrowth of beak and nails since months before, progressive sadness and/or pecking, hard belly (in many cases, with a dark spot with a half-moon shape on the belly, which seems a "tumor", to see it you have to wet your fingers to remove the down), falls from the sticks of the cage that seem for "errors of calculation" and then lameness (that make believe that they are by the previous falls, but both symptoms are due to that it hurts the liver), lack of flight and singing, the bird fluffs up his feathers or bends more or less slowly; Then, within a few weeks or a few days, heavy breathing with open beak, remaining lying on the floor of the cage near the food, sudden spasms from time to time (which make people believe that the bird is "epileptic" but it are twinges of pain of diseased liver), abundant greenish poop (caused by biliverdin which if it's not fasting, it means hepatic harm), then black and watery (from hepatic hemorrhages), then a strange purplish color of skin and beak, an excessive appetite and the final "improvement" of a few days (in the last phase, the already degenerated liver becomes deflated by what the bird seems to ameliorate), after which it suddenly dies among seizures (which may seem a "heart infarct" or a "stroke"). For the first symptoms the liver has already degenerated to 80% and only an urgent (and accurate) vet action can save your bird and revert the liver situation. So in addition to giving to the birds lipotropic and detox / regenerating hepatic protectors preventively and routinely, breeders usually make their own mixtures with low fat seeds. *PREVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT:* The time to act is NOW that your bird doesn’t show yet the visible symptoms. It's necessary to ACTIVELY PREVENT THE LIVER DEGENERATION. Fortunately it's easy to do it: *It's very advisable to substitute progressively (within some weeks, as per the instructions of the manufacturer) the mixture of loose seeds for some pellets compound food of seeds, fruits and vegetables (preferably those that already include liver protectors), because this prevents the bird from filtering and eating mostly the fatty seeds (but without insisting if the bird does not get accustomed to eating pellets because he could die for starvation within a few days).* *And, whatever the diet, it's CRUCIAL to add to the drinking water or to the food LIPOTROPIC LIVER PROTECTORS that include: CARNITINE AND /OR CHOLINE, BETAINE, METHIONINE, etc. It's very convenient to add DETOX / REGENERATING LIVER PROTECTORS with THISTLE MILK, BOLDO, ARTICHOKE EXTRACT.* Liver protectors are not medicine but cheap food supplements manufactured by pet bird vet laboratories that remove the fat from the liver, clean it and favor its recovery. It's essential to add them to the pet birds diet to conserve their liver. It are appearing in the market compound feed for pet birds that don’t include fatty seeds and that already include several liver protectors. Webs on FLD: www.beautyofbirds.com/liverdisease.html Liver disease is a slow, on-going progressive disease where the liver tissue is replaced with fat. When the liver disease has progressed, the bird may suddenly appear ill. www.lovinghands.com/forms/Hepatic%20Lipidosis%20-%20Fatty%20Liver%20Disease.pdf One of the sadder diseases many avian vets see is that of hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease. It's sad in a number of ways since often the birds are very ill, life-threateningly so, or possibly having died suddenly. Often the owners have been unaware of the dangers of feeding their beloved pet the seeds, peanuts, or other fatty foods the bird obviously loves to eat. These are truly cases of "loving your bird to death". Any bird can fall victim to fatty liver disease. www.researchgate.net/publication/46105643_Treating_liver_disease_in_the_avian_patient Dietary deficiencies of lipotrophic factors such as choline, biotin, and methionine may decrease the transport of lipids from the liver. www.researchgate.net/publication/47716286_Valoracion_de_las_afectaciones_hepaticas_en_aves_ornamentales The clinical manifestations of hepatic diseases in ornamental birds are much more frequent than people could imagine and in many cases they are not appreciated, progress in a silent way and when they are evident, vet action may arrive late. Most any avian symptomatology should be considered as if it was a pathology that could be serious, and not allow the disease to develop because then it will probably be too late. A limp in a bird is not always an injury caused by a blow, but the symptom of a disease of some organ (usually the liver or an intestinal disease) that needs to be discovered and treated ASAP. When in doubt, change diet to one with the lowest fat possible (only birdseed, or with other low-fat seeds such as millet, chia and vegetables) and administer lipotropic and regenerating liver protectors in curative doses immediately... although nothing could foresee a fatal outcome. There are also food supplements protectors of the intestinal mucosa and stimulants of the immune system. In doses according to the leaflets do not cause damage, it will surely save the life of your bird (if it's not too late), and will keep them with a basic wellness.

[@sae4847]

Thank u so much for this!! :))

[@Ajwajaz2018]

Millet seeds are high fat not low

[@Coderang]

other VERY fatty seeds such as niger, hemp or nabine 🤨watchu say?

[@sophia23346]

Jesus loves u he is coming back God will welcome u God is real he created all he cares he will never leave u ur never to far to turn back God bless u have a good day we have to be ready no one knows when Jesus will return or when well die 🤍God is real how could something so complex like the universe and humans be made from bacteria or rocks or evolution we just couldn’t God made it all and how could the things that people say made the universe get here if there was nothing God made it all💗

[@cherrycorn666]

Thank you and bless you

[@NicoleSavannah]

I am getting a green cheeked conure soon and I am very excited about it. I’ve learned a lot from watching you and I was so happy you said tops is good food because that’s the one that seemed the most appealing to me. I’m so thankful I found your channel so my bird can have a great life 💙

[@MrJdubz100]

You can also get the Birdtricks pellets which are the same as Tops but supports Birdtricks which is a great channel, probably the best bird youtube channel out there honestly.

[@NicoleSavannah]

@@MrJdubz100 yeah I’ve watched their videos about conures but they live in America and I live in Canada and shipping them to me would cost way more and would be way less convenient for me. (Sorry there was a lot of “ands” in that lol)

[@WildRoseAcres2021]

Thank you, Elle, for showing us your chop tutorial! I have two budgies and a green cheek conure. I have tried to feed fresh veggies before with little success. I am happy to say that adding the grains and larger variety of veggies (made identical to yours) is a smash hit. After two days they are excited to feast on chop every morning 💕😊👍👍

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

Yay!!! That makes me so happy!!

[@WildRoseAcres2021]

@@ElleAndTheBirds 😊❤

[@firstclassstupid97]

My budgie LOVES fruit. It seems to work even better than millet as a training treat. It took a bit of time for him to realise that a piece of apple is not a scary murderer but actually a delicious piece of food. I've had him for 3 weeks yesterday and it took him 2,5 weeks to start eating his fruit and vegs. I already love him to death, he is such a sweetheart

[@noglojessica4045]

“Don’t feed your birds mushrooms” Me: Good because I hate mushrooms too!

[@lexiewalters536]

Same I haven't eaten mushrooms for 7 yrs

[@bow0540]

Ikr

[@rp6035]

I love mushrooms

[@alifayadh9005]

Im not a fan of mushrooms either

[@blackpinkcorner9213]

Same..😂😂

[@LOGoltem4682]

I've seen a lot of videos pointing out that diet is important but none of them tells you what you SHOULD get for them. Thank you!

[@camc6057]

Thanks to this channel and to everyone on here trying to make a change for the betterment of their bird’s health, wish I had all this information sooner.

[@angsfeatheredfriends]

Good tip in these troubled times, if fresh is not available, check out the freezer section. I was able to snag several bags of steamer California mix (which I just let defrost normally, not microwave cooking them at all). Just be careful what ones you get them, some are mixed with oils or butters. I am currently working with a cockatiel who was on an all seed diet, with free feeding millet available to him all day. After 6 years of that, I am amazed he hasn't died of fatty liver disease already. He doesn't hate pellets, but only the much smaller ones, I figured he wouldn't even touch them, but does eat a few of them whole throughout the day now. My 2 parakeets were also on an all seed diet from the pet store, but they are also much much younger. I am currently converting them off that all seed diet, they however do not like pellets as a whole. I highly recommend adding a little warm water to the pellets, to turn them into a paste, then mixing in some of their seeds. I like... well.. my parakeets like it when I then form this pellet seed paste into a ball shape. They love pushing it along as they rip it apart. Taking in some nummy pellets at the same time as they play. I do have to be very careful my little grey parakeet Bandit, she loves to sneak into the cockatiels cage, and eats his pellet paste mix, which has a higher seed mix in it at the moment as I convert him down off an all day free for all. I've had the parakeets for almost 2 months now, so are on a much lower seed diet compared to the cockatiel. Great video, it is such a shame that more people then you think are just feeding their parrots an all seed diet still! I even made my first KZbin video, of Buddy the Cockatiel, eating his veggies for the first time (with 2 surprise guests at the end...) :D

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

You’re lucky that your grocery store still had frozen! Mine didn’t, but they still had fresh. Lol, my birds love sneaking into each others’ cages too! Thank you for caring for your birds so well ❤️

[@angsfeatheredfriends]

@@ElleAndTheBirds No, thank you. You inspired me to get my 2 parakeets in the first place. I suffer from major depressive disorder among many other things, I got my 2 parakeets, and I found a reason to keep living :) I also, by accident found a cockatiel who needed a new home. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure he has the life he deserves, as I know how crummy mine is, at least I can help these birds!

[@yeojinator3401]

First 😋 i love your videos! They help me a lot and make me decide if i should get a cockatiel.this is going to be very helpful!

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad my videos help!!

[@ecologist_to_be]

I feed Top's pellets, nutriberries, pellet berries, tidy mix seeds, golden feast seeds. I like nutriberries and pellet berries for foraging toys mostly. I make vegetable chop too. I change mine everytime I make it so they don't get bored. 👏🏻👏🏻 Usually I add golden feast garden flora but ran out and it isn't as ready to buy here often out of stock as imported. I do supplement with calcium twice a week. Do you have UVB lighting?

[@juliusroman8616]

I think it might be better to not feed them calcium unless your vet recommends it. If you wanted to supply them with calcium you could mash hardboiled eggs in with the veggies.

[@nobody9706]

@@juliusroman8616 I agree

[@MrJdubz100]

There is a lot of weirdness around UVB and full spectrum lighting in the avian community. Personally I use UVB on 2/3 birds and full spectrum LED on the third. I don’t really know which one is the best even after going through forums, watching videos, and talking to avian vets. My Catalina Macaw is spoiled (in my opinion) and gets natural sunlight for several hours per week.

[@trisahansen8780]

Thank you so much for your videos. I was a veterinary technician for just shy of 30 years but did not work on birds much. We bought a hand raised cockatiel following my stroke. He is amazing and I love re-learning bird "stuff" and your videos help enormously.

[@XeroMaverick]

Im getting a Green Cheek Conure tomorrow. And this video made me so much more confident in feeding it properly. Thank you so much!

[@ceoofme2771]

Cool❤ If you can I would love to see a vid of ur bird No worries if you can’t 😅

[@zaramoutray1859]

Hi I got 2 budgies in December 2019 and I recently realised zazu (one of my budgies) was getting quite big so I started searching up some videos to try and see what the problem was and thanks to you i now know it’s that I’ve been feeding them a mostly seed diet but what I’m quiet concerned about is that I did so much research about birds before I got them and even when I searched up what to feed budgie all that came up was seed. So I am soo glad that there are people out there like you who is giving out this much needed info thank you soooooo much ily ❤️❤️

[@mrs.playerroblox4706]

I'm so lucky I found this account... I recently got a parakeet and I needed help

[@irisbudgie]

I have two parakeets I bought the girl this week and the boy is in my house starting with this summer and I gave and I still give them seeds because I JUST SAW THIS VIDEO(I will try to change their diet)

[@larryelxaralfredcesario4809]

I just realized my mistake, thank you for making this video. They would've been stuck with eating seeds for the rest of their lives.

[@irisbudgie]

Me too

[@babitakhurana5632]

Thanks , i was also this guided to feed my Birds only seeds but after watching your videos and giving my birds the diet you are saying that is good for them and now my Birds are so happy and healthy all thanks to you ❤❤

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

Yayy that makes me so happy!!

[@babitakhurana5632]

@@ElleAndTheBirds thanks. Omg is it really you.. I am soooo happy

[@ItsDanikaFaith]

i just bought a blue crown Conure and didn’t 100% know what diet i should be feeding her. This was so helpful! thank you so much, with my last bird his diet wasn’t the best because he was my first bird but now i am way more experienced

[@AbbeysAnimals]

Awww so cute! I actually didn't know some of this! 🐾

[@youn7734]

Here again, I came here to learn more about birds from a brilliant expert here ;) I do trying to get birds to eat health, but in The Netherlands, it is very difficult to find non seeds bird food...and tasty to birds My ringneck loves vegeis and fruit, but my budgie, he only eats seeds, and one type of fruit, which is grapes..

[@Mariemarie-uw7id]

No it isn’t hard to find you use bol dot com or ask your parents to do so and you have it easily. Also every pet store has beaphar pellet food and many others all which my african grey hates lmao. He loves nutriberries and zupreem

[@addison_sanders]

"Colored pellets are often more appealing to them cause it has sugar in it and obviously SUGAR TASTES GOOD!" I agree Elle 100%

[@caitlinfaro5314]

Dude I know I’m late and this vid is old but your videos have been helping me and I’m trying to tame my cockatiel rio. He/she is very mean and traumatized from there past so I’m trying to gain there trust because when I was a kid I’ve had this bird and was such a bad owner and I’m glad I’ve found your channel :) so know I’m restarting our relationship and watching your vids to help me.

[@lillianlamar1654]

Thank you for all the good information about birds from cages to perches to food how to train. I am planning on purchasing two parakeets and I want to make sure that they are happy in there new home.

[@user-lo9vu8ok1m]

I really needed this video! Been doing as much research as possible. Thanks a ton

[@DezzyDoesAcro]

when you want to convince ur soft mom to get a bird but she said maybe and so u watch a lot of research to make sure ur bird is healthy but also trying to convince ur mom

[@calericiousle]

Lol my mom said no but my dad said yes and I forgot how she ended up saying yes cause now I have two budgies

[@DezzyDoesAcro]

@@calericiousle lol i got surprised like a month ago by my parents and now i have two parakeets

[@calericiousle]

@@DezzyDoesAcro Aw that’s cute! I didn’t get surprised we just went to the pet store and picked out two budgies :D they still aren’t tamed yet and I’ve had them since April

[@editsandarts7282]

My father says yes too but my mom says no I’ll still get a bird watch me

[@calericiousle]

@@editsandarts7282 I’m watching

[@lil_latte2567]

I’m getting a cockatiel or green cheek conure soon and I wanted to know what to feed them so Elle thank you SO much you’ve helped a lot

[@katiemay4415]

I only found your channel today and you are already helping me and my two young budgies, thank you so much!!!

[@nadia.callais]

I just got a budgy from my friend that didn’t want hers anymore, these vids are so helpful

[@vijayraju5699]

Hey you are doing a great job those birds are so lucky iam having 6 budgie's and 4 finches . Thanq u so much for sharing information abt birds

[@ashleytam2986]

This really helped, I’m gonna definitely try this (:

[@squeakandsquawk6957]

Jesus Christ I’m glad I watched this video my bird was on a pellet only diet because the pet shop said it’s bad for birds to have more that 6 grams of vegetables a week! Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

I’m so glad my video helped your birds!!! Now they’ll be on a healthy diet ❤️ Pet store employees rarely ever know what they’re taking about

[@cherylkinkaid6801]

Omb. Pet stores have no idea

[@christakimbrough615]

I'm so glad that you are not getting a ton of hate about using pellets. Believe it or not most bird owners outside of the states DO NOT like that we use pellets as a base diet.

[@ImJESSsayinn]

My 15 year old daughter has a 6 month old hand-fed green cheek conure she named Gator. She’s been using spray millet to tame him. Now Gator ONLY wants spray millet! Gator only seems to want to eat spray millet and dried fruit. We’ve only had Gator for a month, we’ll start on a better diet today!! I’ll share this video with my daughter. Thanks for sharing the tips.

[@helens3230]

Ty so much for all the food recommendations, I am learning so much from your food videos. I really appreciate that! ♥️♥️ unfortunately amazon keeps deleting my orders and then saying they are out... I’m glad I have some fresh lettuce and parsley I grow, and I have carrots and celery... I have the wrong and not the best bird seeds cuz I didn’t realize I was low. - he seemed upset for a couple days but he seems ok now, maybe the change in diet or the vibe? Anyway I found you on Marlene channel, and I was like that girl is all about birds!♥️♥️✌️😎 🐥

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

It’s true, BIRDS!! 😂

[@galeem713]

I tried Harrison’s and not one of my birds would touch it. But they go nuts for Roudybush

[@monkeynumbernine]

My parrot won't eat Harrison's either. But I use it for Birdy bread... which he will grudgingly eat 😂

[@cherylkinkaid6801]

Mine prefer the Roudybush too. We use the nibles size. Even my Quaker has decided he wants to eat the small ones now.

[@averageperson7112]

Cheryl Kinkaid Do you know what size is best for budgies? Nibbles or crumbles? I’m a little confused 😅

[@galeem713]

Average • Person my parrotlet liked nibbles but ate the crumble when I ran out.

[@cherylkinkaid6801]

@@averageperson7112 nibles is closest to the size of seeds so budgies like it. It's what my budgies eat.

[@manasvi9717]

i have a lot of work to do now! I've been giving them seeds but they arent eating pellets.

[@Justmahya]

Oh my goodness, i am so so happy i saw this video even though thank god my cockatiel is happy and healthy its very helpful to see these videos bc u can always learn from others!! And yes im very happy for it im late but thank you thank you!❤

[@ravenmcdaniel489]

Yes! Not only are seeds high in fat, they are very high in phosphorus! A bird needs a 2:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorus. 2 calcium to 1 phosphorus. As they eat more seeds, the phosphorus will rise and the calcium will be leeched. That will lead to severe calcium deficiency! Some of the first signs to look for are; quick growing long beak and nails. Step formation on the beak. See through edges of the beak and nails. It's where the calcium is so low, it can't lay any down to strengthen the beak and nails so it grows very fast and thin, instead of slow and strong. Needing their beak and nails rounded off every 6 months or yearly is normal. Having to trim them down because they grow too fast and are super long is NOT normal. It also makes them prone to heart attacks and stokes. I LOVE Harrisons! Great staple diet!

[@Moon-by5ee]

His has violet with the other birds? After the other vid I was just wondering.

[@ElleAndTheBirds]

She’s doing amazing! She’s been hanging out with Pearl more too!

[@ULT3rdParty]

Thank you so much. I have two budgies, and one of them just eat seed.

[@toytime1391]

So I have the colored pellets, and I was thinking they were fine, I guess not. Are they ok though as long as I am giving lots of fruits and veggies? Or should I look into changing them, thanks!

[@annabellaapean]

Definitely look into changing them

[@toytime1391]

Ok thank you

[@annabellaapean]

@@toytime1391 your welcome :) I have a bird too and my vet told me to look into changing them. I don't know what bird you have, but I assume it's valid for all birds. Thanks for reading and I'm happy I could help!

[@toytime1391]

I have a cockatiel named rocky. I love him so much and as long as he is healthy I don’t care the cost. Thank you for responding so fast, I have purchased other pellets, and am exited for them to arrive!

[@annabellaapean]

@@toytime1391 That's great! I have a Green Cheek Conure called Yoshi. I got him at Petsmart for aroumd three hundred dollars, but he's worth every penny. He's surprisingly quiet for a conure lol. I also used the colored pellets for a couple months until I took him to the vet and she told me not to. Good thing it wasn't later or It might have been a lot harder to make a switch.

[@Layless]

I'm so happy that I found this channel because I'm getting a green cheek conure this month so I'm making sure I know how to take care of it properly and these videos have been really helpful so thank you for making these

[@thenewpeppy._.5387]

very thanks, my grandma is going to have a cockatiel today... i love them so much, and if i didn't find ur channel, i would never knew a lot of things... very thanks

[@dany_cast]

Thank you for the information! I have a budgie and two cockatiels but none of them want to eat anything other than their seeds and millet. Do you have any suggestions on having them atleast try some fruit or veggies?

[@aliahossam6632]

Do I need to put grains in the chop? Because only quinoa is available in stores right now😞

[@gerwinthetiel8878]

I give my cockatiel are these www.petbarn.com.au/vetafarm-nutriblend-parrot-mini-pellets-bird-food which were recommended to me, but they are coloured pellets so are they okay for my bird then cause I don't know if I should get her onto the plain pellets also wondering what kinda camera do you use (I am starting my own channel) so I was wondering what you use, thanks (=

[@fatifayad2401]

even though i don't have a parrot now , i had a one before , but i didn't know these information before that so beneficial thank you so much ,before i used to feed my cockatiel seeds all the time especially millet seeds and those colorful seeds they use to eat it all day and i sometimes feed them lettuce they also liked it but not as much as seeds [ what i mean by they are 2 cockatiels and 2 budgies ] thanks again

[@Linda-qq5mg]

This video is not only entertaining, but has so much important information! Thank you so very much. I have subscribed!

[@userone1920]

no pet stores i’ve been to sell pellets only various seed mixes, what do i do? and i can’t order the pellets in time

[@Random-xq4by]

They sell Harrison’s pellets on amazon

[@auroies8503]

try preparing chop for your birds as of now, and you can order Harrison's Pellets on Amazon. chop is a really good source of nutrition for your bird. elle has made a video about how to prepare chop. hope this helps!

[@baxitbh]

The only problem I have with my bird’s chop diet Is that she only eat’s (cauliflower,broccoli,carrots) She won’t eat it if I switch the ingredients or add Some other healthy vegetables that she tried and Didn’t like is this okay?????

[@candicet5973]

U can try feeding some corn or peas or sprouts. My cockatiel loves corn and peas (when I give chop he always eats the corn first) and my budgie loves sprouts

[@thebeautie9251]

this video is really helpful but my bird avoids eating all of this😭😭. He’s really really picky and now i think he’s a bit skinny. Any suggestion please😢😢. ps. He’s already got health check and he’s fine and healthy

[@pratibhaaa7265]

4:28 Elle: * scrich, scritch * Ducky: *PURE BLISS*

[@yogurtofthemultiverse2200]

I just got my two blue parakeets, Juju and Jack, and luckily it's only been a day so it hasn't been a long time of them just having seeds, but now I can fix up their diet! Thank you for this.

[@emberlite3483]

Hey, I am looking into getting a green cheek. I was wondering what species of green cheek Kermi-Bird is. Just want the advice from somebody who is experienced. Plus I like how Kermi-Bird looks 😅

[@camilleenvy]

It shows in the description!

[@wyomingadventures]

My budgies love super fine Harrison's. I'm sorry about having to re sub. Lost a couple of people because of a new phone I guess. 🥰

[@Conehead143]

I can’t get my bird to eat vegetables, what should I do

[@user-dc4yi]

Kayla Berg Same

[@BinksDilly]

Same...

[@renechristiansen3297]

Keep trying, maybe try presenting them in different ways, fine chop, bigger pieces etc. mix a little seeds in with them etc.

[@AikaNunez]

I’m so glad you told me about the seeds my bird will not stop eating them

[@nicolebisschoff8359]

This video really helped me because I am looking into getting a bird but I want to give it the proper care it needs.

[@squidinondabeat]

does anyone else get anxiety when her bird is on her finger and she moves her hand a lot-

[@JC-wc1qh]

Harrison’s and tops is over priced 🥴 there’s other really good pellets that are a decent price

[@talentedkidrauhl639]

J C Any cheaper pellet recommendations?

[@gardensnailll]

like what?

[@Sabuda80]

Harrison Is more expensive but no Over priced. It's a Large Amount Of Great Ingredients and Vets Highly recommend it which is Why it's More expensive

[@peachesw0mp970]

I just got a parakeet yesterday! I’m so glad I watched this video I’m gonna order in some pellets ASAP and change our his diet

[@ellagrace4462]

I just got my first bird today and I'm glad I decided to watch your video so starting tomorrow I can get them on a proper diet before they get to attached to just seeds.

[@greenlighting1655]

Just found your channel. I have learned so much watching your videos. You helped me introduce veggies to my sweet birds in a way they actually like and eat. I have so much to learn yet but wanted to say thanks kiddo.

[@gabrielgonzales1558]

I add in another comment but the only reason why I'm asking is because I want to get a bird and I'm trying to do my research and this is a great channel continue the good work 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ellimckiddy5799]

Kermit is adorable trying to eat the carrot thru the bag.

[@skyandsparkleanddiscoandve1992]

Hi Elle. My budgies and lovebird have started eating tapioca. They love it . Tomorrow I will give them spinach .

[@wordvomit100]

Thank you Elle! You have taught me so much about making my mash so much better, I have added grains and it is a nice change for them. Both my Conure Mango & my budgies Blu and Kiwi love the new mash 🥰👍

[@chriscurtin4807]

I made chop, transitioned with seed chop mix. Charlie liked it and ate it but he slept more and landed and walked on the floor!! And stopped talking ,10 plus words, phrases and sounds! your video helped me , going to try a different ratio or vary the 2 and will add pellets which I've never used. thanks again

[@skinney9542]

Great video and a great channel! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge ☺️🕊️ I got an 18 month old albino Quaker parrot a few weeks ago and learning alot in a short time. (First time bird owner aged 40!!) Thanks so much!! ❤️🕊️

[@rhiacox1982]

Your channel is amazing im using all of your tips to tame and keep my bird healthy

[@ranjorani1787]

You have made my bird's life so much better I just bought new bag of organic pellets I bought Roudybush pellets . I love your channel

[@idc_______]

I feel like a very bad person my mom and dad get budgies The cage that we have up is very basic and we feed them seed diet. we are switching them to a different diet so thank you for making this video and we got on them more things to stand on in toys because when we got the birds we didn't know too much about them it was just our first two pets

[@familymatters7361]

I’m about to get my first feathered friend and I’m very thankful for this video! I learned a lot!