-> On 02-17-96, GENE SHIELDS wrote to ALL:
->
-> GS> Has any one out there had any luck with the pallet diet, or is
-> there GS> yet another way to ensure the Bird eats well.  I and the
->
-> Yep. Betcha you get lotsa replies to this question.  I've converted
-> a wild breeding pair from seedsbean mash to (Katee) pellets ... tho
-> the brand is not so important.  The vet is right and is also wrong,
-> IMO.  Let me explain ...  Having your new found friend eat a varity
-> of foods should be the goal.  A well balanced diet is important.  A
-> nuturious (complete) diet is also important.  Pellets are touted (by
-> their makers) as providing a nurtious complete diet ... others
-> promote the variety diet.  Mental health is as important as is
-> physical health, IMO, especially for an intelligent Grey.  Variety
-> helps with the mental health aspect, but is no substi for your
-> interactions with your new flock memmber.   So ... read i 'double
-> talk' ... convert to pellets yet supplement with fresh fruits and
-> plenty of pizza and chicken/turkey and human/bird play
Just wanted to note Tom that as a long time breeder of Cockatiels, I
also agree...I can remember when the thing _to do_ was to convert to
100% pellets, and I did...After various attempts using varied amounts, I
succeeded but then notice a sort of a malaise to my birds.  My own guilt
also set in as I felt the birds were missing something.  Yes, I do
realize that the pellets offer a more well rounded diet as to minerals,
trace elements, etc., so the studies say.  What I have done since is to
supplement my seed diet with pellets that I mix in and of course all the
vegies and fruit they can eat.
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
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