Pellets VS seed: What do you use?

[lolsavannahh]

Hey guys! I have found mixed opinions on the feeding of pellets VS seeds, and I want to know what you feed your birds and why! Not what is right or wrong, but what works best for your bird and you (:

I personally mainly feed pellets because of the research I did before I got my bird, I figured it would be healthier, and I am glad I did so because now that he refuses to eat veggies ( He is getting better about it! ) it is so much better that he gets some of the vitamins from the pellets that seeds don't offer. I do feed seeds as a treat, and also as a foraging reward in his cage and out of it when he forages, but in his bowl there is pellets. Now, this just works best for ME personally, but I want to hear your opinions!

[Lady]

I feed both, but in the same manner. Lady likes to have some seeds for treats as well as almonds, pistachios and cashews. I have been meaning to get some pine nuts to see how she likes them. She also loves to eat whatever I'm eating so mostly she has veggies, potatoes, pasta and on occasion bread. She will even take some meat if I have it on my plate so I prefer to eat the chicken or whatever before we share.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Casper loves his pellets which is just as well because he is a reformed seed eater with a fatty liver. Getting him to eat fresh veggies is an uphill struggle but he will eat cooked veg providing it is not green. Actually green is out altogether apart from pea pods which he loves to split open, take out the peas, then remove the shell of the pea and eat the inside. Just like a child he eats anything that is sweet and nothing that could be considered in any way good for him.

[Robyn]

I feed both. One thing to keep in mind is most feeding information out there is meant for larger birds and small birds have different needs. Actually each species has different needs since I have 2 cockatiels are considered grass parakeets they do better with more seeds than pellets typically I feed my birds twice as much seeds as I do pellets along with Harrisons lifetime mash, pine nuts, nutriberries and herb salad. However because I didn't get home til almost 5pm and I work overnight today they just got fed seeds. While it wouldn't be good to do on a daily basis I don't think doing it on rare occasion will do much harm

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Well done Robin, a very important point raised there: Different parrots have different dietary requirements. Its obvious when you think about it, birds that come from the grasslands of Australia are bound to eat differently to those in the Brazilian jungle and their stomachs will have evolved differently to cope with what is available locally.

[lolsavannahh]

I completely agree with both of you! Each species will need different foods and different care, and it's important to acknowledge that!

[Sucre]

I feed both, but my birds are all young and it is taking awhile to get them used to the pellets. I have to sneak them in with the seed.

They also get fresh fruit and veggies every evening, and all will eat it. Billy (conure) doesn't like broccoli, though, and has made that very plain. He does love pear!