Is my Cockatiel food really unhealthy?
September 5, 2011 Seed Bird Feeder
I couple weeks ago I got a new brand of cockatiel food because i ran out and before i had just this blend of cockatiel seeds i got from the pet store i bought my bird at, which is really far away and i can’t go there every time i need more bird seed. So my mom brought home this stuff called Premium Cockatiel Food by 3-D Pet Products. And it looks like a bucket of treats! Its mostly Millet, Sunflower seeds and artificially colored seeds (including Red #40) It also has salt, and cane molasses in it! I mean it does have some good ingredients like egg, safflower and canary grass in it too but about 80% of just sunflower seeds and millet.Isn’t that really unhealthy? Should I throw in certain fruits and vegetables? What kind?
Tell me what you think..
http://www.walmart.com/ip/3-D-Pet-Products-Cockatiel-Food-Premium-4.5-lb/11047150#
He isnt acting differently but that doesnt mean he is healthy. But I noticed today that he isn’t really all that excited to get his food bowl refilled anymore.
With his old food, if he saw me grab his food bucket he got all excited and would start pacing and running around like a happy puppy, he would almost fall over with excitement. But now i refill his bowl and he just looks over and he may or may not even come over and get it.
Comments (2)
Hummingbirds are fun, entertaining, full of energy and it’s easy to attract hummingbirds.
The high amount of sunflower would be my main concern, it is very high in fat (around 45%) and birds tend to eat it to the exclusion of anything else if they get the chance. Millet is a high carbohydrate grain and only around 3 to 5 % fat, so you don’t need to be overly concerned with that. If you shake the container then most of the lighter sunflower seed will move to the top and you can remove much of it and ration it out later.
The dark leafy greens like kale, dandelion, collard, escarole and broccoli are all good choices. Iceburg lettuce is mostly just water. I like to offer my cockatiels a small bowl of mixed, defrosted frozen veg which includes carrots, peas, corn and beans.
I don’t really know a lot about it, but do what ever you think is best, like have you seen something wrong with your bird. If you do then start giving the cocktail food that you use to give him/her. If you plan on giving him/her fruits and vegetables until you find which one he/she likes.