big pellets, small bird?

2509 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by birdiebuddie, Oct 5, 2009

kneel

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2009

we have heard that it is better to feed your quaker (and other smallerfooted bird) a bigger pellet so that they can use their foot to hold it. has anyone else ever heard anything like this?

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Jenny

· #2 · Oct 1, 2009

I've heard similar to that. If the pellet is too big they just end up breaking it into smaller pieces and wasting more. They tend to enjoy it when it fits their beak size.

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I honestly have never heard of that but I can see the logic in it. I know that if the pellet is too big my budgies won't touch them. I once got them a larger pellet and had to smash it down for them. But then they don't hold food in their feet.
I would think there would be a lot of waste with a larger pellet that they held.

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Melinda

· #4 · Oct 3, 2009

It's funny this topic came up. Both my conures were on the Roudybush small. I just switched my blue crown over to the medium roudybush pellets to see if she'll eat more of them if she can hold them. I honestly don't know yet if it has made a difference.When ever she eats her pellets some always gets on the floor. I try to save the pellet leftovers to put in birdie bread. That way it doesn't feel like I'm throwing out so much. :lol: I feed my Linnies, the crumble sized pellets.

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kneel

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 3, 2009

our quaker and our grey hold EVERYTHING they can...lol... esp their food. It seems like if the grey cant hold it, she dont want it!! HA!!

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twink

· #6 · Oct 3, 2009

I use Roudybush mini size for both my conures, they seem to do fine holding on to the pellets, I also also use the Zupreem natural cockatiel sized pellets. I save the leftovers to stick in the birdie bread too, all other waste goes to the wild birds in my garden, who gobble it all up with gusto

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skthurley

· #7 · Oct 4, 2009

twink said:
I save the leftovers to stick in the birdie bread too, all other waste goes to the wild birds in my garden, who gobble it all up with gusto

I used to do that all the time as well! Jack would always have loads of pellet dust in his dish, so I saved it, storing it in the fridge. Then once I had a cup, I would use the pellet dust instead of flour in my birdie bread

In regards to the question, typically I suggest a pellet size smaller then needed to most bird owners that come to the pet store where I work. The reason being, I have found with my own birds that when the pellets are too big , there is more waste and more pellet pieces tossed around the house lol