Does your parrot turn their beak up at pellets? While pellets are a highly nutritious choice for your parrot, their hard texture, brusque appearance, and bland taste aren’t very appealing, especially to seed connoisseurs.
It’s a common complaint among parrot owners that their feathered friends refuse to eat pellets, whether they present them whole, break them down to smaller sizes, or mix them with other foods.
How can you get your parrot to see the light, so to speak, and embrace their new pellet diet? Patience is the first thing you’ll need. The next are different methods of presenting the pellets and incorporating them into your parrot’s diet because every birdie’s dinnertime preferences are unique. Here are some ways to transition your bird to a pellet diet.
Wet ‘Em & Mash ‘Em
Dry pellets not cutting it? Try moistening them! Soak the pellets in water for a few minutes, just enough to soften them but not turn them into mush. Then, mash them up with a fork or spoon and mix in some of your parrot’s favorite fruits and vegetables.
The added flavor and moisture can entice your bird to give them a try. Gradually decrease the amount of fruits and vegetables used until your parrot is eating just the mashed pellets.
Grind ‘Em Up
A sprinkle of fairy dust, or in this case, powdered pellets, can work magic. Use a blender or food processor to grind up the pellets into a fine powder and sprinkle them over your parrot’s favorite foods. Start with small amounts and gradually increase the ratio of powdered pellets to other foods until your parrot is consuming mostly powdered pellets.
Bake ‘Em Into Birdie Bread
Birdie bread is a popular homemade treat for parrots, and it’s also a great way to incorporate pellets into their diet. Mix crushed pellets into your favorite birdie bread recipe before baking. As your parrot enjoys the tasty bread, they’ll also be getting a dose of pellets.
Offer Variety
Just like humans, parrots can get bored with their food if they eat the same thing every day. They need a lot of variety in their diet, not just for nutrients, but to keep them stimulated!
Mix things up by offering different pellet brands, like Harrison’s, Mazuri, Roudybush, TOP’s, and Zupreem, to your parrot. Different brands bring different shapes, colors, and flavors to the table—there’s bound to be one your feathered friend can’t resist!
Try a Smaller Size
A common recommendation for picky parrots is to try offering a smaller-size pellet. Tiny pellets, seed-sized and sneaky, might just win over those stubborn millet addicts! Plus, these smaller pellets are easier for them to break down and digest.
It takes patience. It takes perseverance. It takes creativity. Transitioning a parrot onto pellets isn’t a walk in the park, but you can do it! Keep trying different methods, and eventually, your parrot will come around to the idea of pellets. Many bird species need these nutrient-dense foods for a healthy, balanced diet. Don’t give up, and keep encouraging your feathered friend to make the switch.
