OK, I looked but didn't see a thread similar to this. If there is and I missed it you can hire someone to spank me later.

What pelleted diets do you use or have you used and how satisified/dissatisfied with them are you?

Basically, any input on pelleted diets you've used or are currently using.

Me.

Kelloggs Pellets. Not even sure if they still make them. I weaned my wild-caught female molluccan onto them back around 87 or so. They were red and once she started eating them it scared the crap outta me because her feces turned bright red. She did great on these. My B&G didn't do so well with them. He ate them with relish but kept dropping weight. Ended up switching the B&G to...

Purina Pellets. Not even sure they still make these. My B&G did great on these.

Lafeabers Pellets. I know hey still make these Weaned my wild-caught male molluccan onto these. He fought trying the pellets until I was down to my last 1/4 cup then started throwing the seeds out of the bowl to find the pellets.

Zupreem fruity mix. First used these on some baby tiels I raised from hatchling to fledgeling. Even mixed some in with peanut butter then extruded thru a large syringe into strips, oven dried then gave as a treat.

Kaytee Exact rainbow mix. Currently mix with Zupreem fruitblend for my Grey. He usually loves it but some days he only wants certain colors or shapes. Seems to waste quite a bit and no consistency on which pellets he likes.

Zupreem naturals. My grey won't touch it except to throw it out of the bowl. Tried it mixed in with colored pellets and the results were the same.

Kaytee organic. My grey won't touch it. Pretty much the same as the zupreem naturals.

Lafebers. My grey won't even tough them to throw them out of the bowl. I wasted a lot on buy the big bin.

I've tried that Pretty bird grey specific and like the other colored pellets, he has red days and green days and purple days and banana days and well you get the picture. I haven't been able to find a local supplier of this brand except pets supplies plus in the bulk bins and there are always bugs crawling around. Actually, that ticks me off!

I usually buy 20 pounds each of at least two pellet brands, mix them together then divide them into weekly quantities. I'll add in smaller quantities of other being tried out or where I can only get small quantities. The current use goes into a tupperware container and the rest are vacuum sealed and tossed into the freezer. I use the freezer because if there are any bugs in it, the freezer kills them.

I do change up the sizes on him too, just to provide some level of stimulation. I'll buy as small as cockatiel size up to macaw size. He seems happy with the pellet diet.

But nothing can replace the fresh foods he gets just about daily. He loves to partake of that which is on our plates as well.

Oh yeah and he does enjoy the huge treat of a couple of sips of Arizona Ice Tea. Bit me the last time I pulled the cup away because he wanted more.

So how about ya'll?

I offer the Lafeber Cockatoo/Macaw Pellets & (TOP) Totally Organic Pellets on a regular basis. I also use the Lafeber Nutriberries which have small pellets in them.

I use the nutriberries as treats. Good way to introduce pellets.

My grey will only eat Zupreem Fruit blend. Pellets without artificial coloring are best, but I can't get her to eat any of them. Zupreem is the only brand of pellets I can buy without having to drive an hour to the next big city. I typically order off the internet, but I have to know that in case of an emergency I could easily pick up a bag.

I'm very satisfied with Zupreem. Yes, her poop sometimes changes color with the fruit blend, but I know it's because of the pellets so it's not a big deal. Have you tried Zupreem's Avian Entrees? You can buy flavors like Wild and Spicy, Garden Goodness, and Harvest Feast. I think there are just 3. Here is a link: Zupreem® Avian Entrees™ - Bird Food. They actually have bits of dried peppers, veggies, and fruits in them. Ollie won't eat it, but the last time I tried was when she was weaning. I'll probably buy a bag soon to try again.

I think the best brands are (in no particular order): Roudybush, Zupreem, TOPs, and Harrison's. From what I've heard, I would stay away from Kaytee (I believe they still use ethoxyquin) and Pretty Bird. I've never heard of Kelloggs of Purina parrot pellets.

Have you tried the Avicakes by Lafeber's? My grey LOVES them. I can't get her too interested in the nutriberries, but she'd eat an entire package of Avicakes in one day if I'd let her. She gets one cake every morning.

All of three of my birds are fed Lafeber's Nutriberries and Avicakes in addition to a seed mix. They all love the Lafebers.

Which is exactly why I use a blended mix. I just know that when I forget to order that I'll have to use a pet store and I just don't want to go when the shelves are empty of the only preferred food. I figure that the chances of them being out of two brands are slim to none.

I haven't heard of problems with Exact or Prettybird. I'll have to look into it more, thanks for the tip. Actually, I've heard positive feedback on the Grey specific Prettybird.

I've not tried Roudybush but have heard very positive remarks about it.

I heard a lot of people have trouble with feather plucking when using Harrisons. May be a coincidence but I heard it enough to not want to try it.

Tutu was on a seed diet (and fat!)for 15 years with his previous owner. Because of that I keep his seeds limited to occasional seeds on nutriberries. He never had nuts before (never had toys before either) and gets those as the season and stockpile permit.

I've not tried any of the entrees but after reviewing that link, I think I'll pick some up! Thanks!!

This is some great feedback!

All three of mine have Zupreem Fruit Blend available at all times. I know, probably not the best, but they all eat it reliably, and they seem to do well on it. Sometimes they'll eat some of the Avian Entree. Dinner is a mix of fresh veggies and a bean/rice mix that I cook up and freeze. Bananas in the morning for a breakfast snack, and Almonds and apple bits for snacks in the afternoon.

I use zupreem, the fruit ones. But only about 10% of my vasa's diet is pellet. Since Eve will and does eat anything, the rest of his diet is fresh food. Other parrots I've had or worked with I've always used Zupreem. Harrisons I like but I've had some bad experiences with it, such as vomiting. Lafaber's I haven't seen a bird like, Kaytee it's seems the birds I've tried it on only eat it if they have to. But in general if the parrot will eat anything I much prefer to make my own fresh diet and offer pellets as a supplement. Of course this take a considerable amount of work to make a balanced diet, but on the whole I feel that nutrients from fresh sources are much better than synthetic nutrients offered in pellets. In fact I was just reading somewhere that nutrients from fresh sources absorb into parrots bodies much better than the synthetic ones...so all those vitamins and mineral are getting pooed out on our birds.

TOP has a good soak seed/grain mix if you're ordering the pellets it can be ordered together.

My birds love TOP and Foundation Formula. I prefer the Foundation Formula but combine both. The FF has a Spicers Blend too which they love. My Parrotlet hen is a mutation and shouldnt have pellets but she loves them so much I figure she knows what she's doing. She eats a ton of fresh anyway so I hope she doesnt have any ill effects from the dry pellets. They are very soft and mostly greens.

For those of you that use Lafeber's do they still use ethoxyquin in them? It has been a long while since I even looked at a package of them.