Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Michael G. relates,

 

Y’all have approved of my feeding practices but I have a question.

 

After trial and error, I have gotten the size pellet the grey’s need.

 

I am using Roudybush medium Daily Maintenance.

 

I am always in search of treats and supplements to make them “happy” as they seem to be.

 

I am wondering about using the California blend.

 

As we know, the little devils have their own minds!

 

Also, should I put pellets only in a separate bowl?

 

To date, their “healthy” bowl contains Higgins Safflower Gold, Roudybush pellets, and other seeds such as the little green pumpkin seeds as well as the larger white ones.

 

I have a separate one for fresh fruit and veggies cut daily that I only put out at 3 PM, (they KNOW it, too) and remove before bedtime.

 

I also have a “junk food” bowl across the cage that they get late afternoon or evening.

 

Goldfish, pretzels, Cheezits, sesame sticks, and other “human” food.

 

I sometimes use a Chinese rice blend and other things.

 

They love pistachios but I watch the salt on them and all other food.

 

They don’t get sugar much at all except what is naturally included.

 

I still use some Nekton-S, need it or not.

 

I once read humans cast off vitamins not needed with no harm.

 

Is it okay to leave the bowls out except for the fresh stuff that might spoil?

 

I use, carrots, celery, apples, grapes, sweet potato, and other things but these are their favorites.

 

They are 20 and 22 years old.

 

Li’l Girl has laid a couple of times but I think Big Boy is ignorant of the reproductive cycle, ha.

 

I don’t want babies anyway.

 

They are a joy and have learned to call the dog.

 

Maggie Mae ignores them until Amy starts to feed them or pay attention. Li’l Girl got Mag’s tail one night.

 

No harm but Mag is a LOT more careful.

 

 

When she’s around Li’l Girl comes to the bottom of the cage in hopes of the right chance!

 

Big Boy loves Amy and stays close to her.

 

I am NOT his favorite friend after nearly 3 years.

 

He hangs around the food bowls when I am filling them with the hope of pecking at me.

 

He doesn’t hurt but I am careful. Talk about “biting the hand that feeds ya”!

 

When he is out and away from the cage I can handle him although we are leery of each other.

 

Well, I’ve bent your ear enough when what I needed was a question about food.

 

I enjoy talking to and about them and they are a sensation and attraction for the little ones that stop by and the BIG ones, too.

 

I remember through my life being amazed by the few birds I was around.

 

Thanks for all the emails.

 

I looked at some of the Covid related ones.

 

Then I saw a list of Mitch’s articles.

 

I wore myself out looking at the list.

 

I will save this addition for future reference and edumacation, ha!

 

Dear Michael

Glad you enjoy the weekly email and the Blog posts.

 

This week is all older posts but good ones.

 

Next week we will have new posts to enjoy.

 

It’s great that the birds are liking the Roudybush DM pellets in the medium size. Just a note. The SMALL size can work out as well if your birds waste them.

We have a customer whose macaws take one bite out of their large pellets and drop the rest, so she gets smaller parrot pellets to cause less waste.

 

 

The Roudybush California Blend offers dried fruits and veggies along with the pellets and can be a nice alternative without seeds.

 

Offering the different mixes in separate bowls is good so you can see what they are really eating and be able to add or remove dishes as needed to encourage them to eat what you want them to eat.

 

It also keeps moist and dry foods separate to avoid contaminating them with bacteria from old fresh foods.

 

We prefer to give fresh foods in the morning and remove them by the afternoon, sooner in warmer weather.

 

Mitch likes to give the whole clan a treat when closing them up in their cages for the night.

 

The bigger birds like a bit of Avi-cake, and a small sprig of millet for the cockatiel.

 

They are all happy to munch quietly on their nummies before bedtime.

 

There are salt-free pistachios available from Goldenfeast here.

 

Yes, if you don’t use a 100% pelleted diet, a vitamin supplement daily is a good idea. I put a bit in their chopped fresh food every day.

 

Biting the hand that feeds you.

 

Yes, we have a quaker that is very cage and food-protective.

 

 

We have to let him out of his cage and him climb out of the way before we reach in to change out the water and food dishes or risk being “tasted” at the very least.

 

Avoiding the beak is better than dealing with being bit and then having to try and not react. Birds are not good at understanding negative behavior.

 

I’m glad we had this talk.

Catherine

 

SORRY – forgot something

I just sent a message but need another bit of knowledge from your wealth of information. When are African Greys considered “seniors”? I know that might vary but I wonder about “senior” food I see and what is the difference?

 

My two (20&22) are “on the move” most of the day and I wouldn’t say they are sedentary.

 

They are not out as much as I and they would like but have a large cage 3′ deep, 5 1/2 long, and 5′ tall accessible space.

 

They each have a swing, toys, and a great bathtub!

 

Dear Michael

As more research and education is done with pet birds, better foods are being produced and better living environments so our captive birds are living longer than ever before.

 

As such they are also experiencing a lot of the same aging issues we do.

 

Arthritis, heart issues, vision problems, and more.

 

That some bird food companies are reflecting this with “senior” bird food our birds can also enjoy their golden years in our homes.

 

Lafeber offers Classic Nutri-berries for daily use as well as Senior Nutri-berries for our aging parrots.

 

Looking at the ingredient information I find that protein, fat, and fiber levels are increased in the senior blends as well as added supplements like Glucosamine and chondroitin, to help with arthritis. Milk Thistle, dandelion, and ginger for anti-inflammatory issues and liver health.

 

How old is a senior bird? Well, African Grey’s life spans top out at about 50 years, but you can consider them to be starting to be considered seniors in their late 20’s.

 

Besides senior foods, adding more natural wood perches, flat and branched, plus good rope perches help your bird navigate its cage easier.

 

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Catherine