Pretty Bird Food/Pellets

Friday I had a PetSmart gift card burning a hole in my pocket so I decided the fiddos needed some new goodies. Getting low on food (they both eat Zupreem Natural) I went to grab a bag and saw Pretty Bird on sale for significantly less. I'd never paid attention to before, but I remember seeing quite a few of you all use it. So, I bought it. I've been feeding it with the last of my Zupreem mixed in and both fiddos super like it. They eat every last bite, not a speck left in either bowl. So, I guess it is pretty good? Thoughts on Pretty Bird?

Side note, Sparrow likes Toogie's sized pellets. He dances and bobs and goes crazy when he sees them. I was breaking them into smaller pieces (for him) but he seems to like them better as is? I mean, I know this sounds stupid, but is that okay?

Yeah that's OK, the size is more about waste and beak strength. If he can handle it ,then all power to him.Pretty Bird is one of the better "cheaper" pellets in my opinion. We'd feed it more often but have issues with some of the birds only eating their favorite colors.I like it because it has lower crude fat than some of the others.

Sure it's ok! The larger pellets give them something to hold on to and "work" on. It's actually a more natural activity for it. Deb (or someone) posted a study on it once. I was able to read it at the time but haven't been able to access it since then. I'm bummed because I really liked it and would like to have a copy of it.

The only downside is that you may actually be throwing away more waste by using larger pellets. However according to the article, when given a choice the birds studied (macaws) chose the larger pellets and actually consumed more food when eating the larger pellets. I found it to be a quite revealing study.

So the long and short of it is feed your bird the sized pellet they like to eat - they'll eat more!

Thanks guys! I am glad, and you are right, Sparrow loves to hold it in his foot and work on it. There is NOTHING left in the bowls, so I think Pretty Bird is a hit! The price is nicer too- but that is just a bonus! Might try to get some more while it is still on sale. Zupreem Fruit blend Sparrow would be picky about colors, but he eats every bit of Pretty Bird.

Yep, I'd say my birds #1 favorite are the Pretty Bird pellets, and #2 would be Zupreem. I usually buy one of those two depending which is on sale. Check Drs. Fosters & Smith online and/or get their catalog. They run really good sales on the Pretty Bird pretty regularly.

Julsiebean wrote:

Side note, Sparrow likes Toogie's sized pellets. He dances and bobs and goes crazy when he sees them. I was breaking them into smaller pieces (for him) but he seems to like them better as is? I mean, I know this sounds stupid, but is that okay?

As long as he eats, yes! Mine are more picky and I have to buy pellets in 2 -3 sizes Sometimes I have to use a coffee- grinder for the big size pellets.

I will try to remember to get hold of that article when I'm in the office, it was me. It was off the UC Davis website and Bird Talk also did an article summarizing the findings. Basically bigger pellets normalized feeding patterns, more like foraging, in a group of Amazons that were studied.

In my own flock, Scooter seems to prefer undersized food and Scotty oversized food. I'm getting budgie-sized pellets to mix in with seed for Scooter, and Macaw sized extruded food for Scotty.

The only issue with the bigger pellets is they drop half finished ones though the bottom wire.

ScooterNScotty wrote:

... in a group of Amazons that were studied.

Amazons, Macaws... Same thing!

Wait a minute, Amazons are smarter than Macaws.

And we can all agree that budgies are the smartest of them all

i am staying out of this debate...my momma didn't raise no dummies....lol


dusty

I'm with you Dusty, if you're not in a hole yet, why start digging?

RogerP wrote:

I'm with you Dusty, if you're not in a hole yet, why start digging?

well said roger...lol


dusty

Conures are smartest. That's why you hear so much complaining about them. They manipulate their owners quite easily.

patdbunny wrote:

Conures are smartest. That's why you hear so much complaining about them. They manipulate their owners quite easily.

I represent that remark!

ScooterNScotty wrote:

patdbunny wrote:

Conures are smartest. That's why you hear so much complaining about them. They manipulate their owners quite easily.

I represent that remark!

That is so amazingly true, my OH and I were talking about it just the other day.

well my african grey was talking to me while she was fixing the computer for me and she said she thought all birds had their moments...lol


dusty

The only time Jake wants to work on mine is when i'm using it.

Y'all are all crazy!!

(Conures are smartest!)

Budgies are the tiny masterminds that make this world run.

Ever wonder why they are so popular around the world?

There goal is take over every home. Once that is complete, we will be their minions. Budgies are slowly creating a human slave army. Once their goal is complete, we'll be turning the world into a giant millet farm.

Anywhere cold will become a barren wasteland. We will be moved to the tropics, to meet their needs. Homes will be demolished, and in their place, we will grow giant play gyms, filled with ropes and swings and mirrors.

The human slave population will tend to the fields, clean the water bowls, and will be kept in tiny cages, not big enough for two arm reaches.

Of course, some birds will remember their featherless friends during the "sleeping period".

Ever wonder why I'm so nice to my budgies? And offer them everything their little hearts desire?

(I need to get out more)

Quakers are scary smart. Just sayin'.

I like zaza's arguments, but since nobody mentioned Cockatiels yet
(Yup, that discussion is CRAZY!)

This thread has gone SO off topic... again..,.

Oh Yeah Pretty Bird Pellets, LOL