Converting A Bird's Diet

Tips for converting older birds include trying different brands of pellets. Several manufacturers also offer different sizes, shapes and colors to entice their product's appeal. Buy small quantities at first and try them to see which is most readily accepted.

There are two generally accepted procedures for switching a bird's diet as well as countless variations. First, there is the gradual transition method. This involves continuing to feed the normal diet and pellets, usually from the same bowl. Slowly, over the course of two or three weeks the proportion of pellets is increased until the bird is eating just the pellets. During this time, pay careful attention to the weight of the bird. A good gram scale is invaluable at this time. A bird should not loose more than 10%, 15% tops of its peak weight while changing diet. Dark, black or infrequent stools are a sign that the bird is not eating and is, in fact, starving to death. Revert to the old diet until the bird regains strength and try again at a slower transition rate.

The second method, sometimes used in conjunction with the first method, involves adopting a feeding schedule designed to make the bird hungriest while offering the pellets. Morning feeding can consist of fresh food and pellets. Fresh food will spoil so do not leave it in the cage longer than you would leave out your own food. Generally try to remove fresh food in 2 to 4 hours. Leave the pellets available at all times. Especially if your bird is a confirmed seed eater, do offer seed for 10-15 minutes ONLY near dusk or "bed time". This period will allow the bird enough time to eat sufficiently to stay alive though will result in his being hungriest during the day...just in time to make eating the fresh food and pellets attractive.

When trying to get a bird to accept fresh foods, color and appearance play a big part. Some birds prefer their food grated or chopped. Others like large chunks they can hold and eat. Try foods of different colors and texture to see what sparks the most interest. Above all, BE PERSISTENT. It can take days, weeks or months to break old eating habits! Its sometimes helpful to eat or pretend to eat the same food in front of the bird. Placing a bird that already eats a good diet within eyeshot is often helpful as well. Making toys of the food can also help. Hanging skewers are available to hold a variety of sizes and colors of different foods. Corn on the cob, cut into wheels is probably the single best conversion food I've found.

Some veterinarians have attributed 80% or more of all avian illness to dietary related causes. Any time and effort spent converting your bird to a good, healthy diet is time well spent.