Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Linda C. is curious:

 

I have a 25-year-old Hahns macaw.

 

I feed him a mix of Pretty Bird medium select pellets and Doctor Foster and Smith cockatiel seed.

 

I also have a separate side dish that has Tropimix formula for small parrots in his cage.

 

In addition, I give him fresh veggies, eggs, grapes, etc. twice a day.

 

He will not touch Nutri-berries or Avi-cakes or other types of food.

 

I have been having trouble getting the Doctors Foster and Smith seed and was wondering what you recommend as a replacement.

 

He is very fussy and does not like change.

 

 

Dear Linda

Dr. Fosters and Smith was bought by Petco and has since shut down the company.

 

Most likely you are using the remaining packaged foods they have left in their warehouse and they will be gone sometime soon.

 

I am concerned about using a Cockatiel seed diet for a Hahn’s Macaw.

 

They are close in size to a cockatiel but that is it.

 

A Hahns has a stronger beak that can utilize and enjoy larger seeds and nuts.

 

A cockatiel mix is usually mainly millet and oats plus just a few larger seeds if any like small black sunflower seeds and safflower seeds.

 

I would recommend one of these mixes that are very popular.

 

Safflower Gold Conure (Safflower seed base, no sunflower seeds, some millet, etc.) VERY popular. We use it for our cockatiel.

Safflower Gold Parrot (Safflower seed base, no sunflower seeds, little millet, etc.) Also VERY popular.

 

We use it for our African Ringneck and Quaker parrot.

 

They also like to nibble on some of the smaller millet that is in the Safflower Gold Conure so they get a sprinkle of it on their larger parrot mix.

 

I would recommend the PARROT mix for your Hahn’s, however, as your bird is 25 years old, he may be used to the smaller seed and not take advantage of the larger seeds in the mix like pumpkin seeds, nuts.

 

A couple of almonds in the shell in the larger mix would not be eaten of course.

 

Otherwise, your bird’s diet looks great. As they say, don’t fix what works.

 

Linda C replied

 

Thank you so much for your quick reply.

 

Unfortunately, when I bought my Hahns I was told to feed cockatiel food. My Hahn’s beak overgrows on one side and sometimes breaks in the middle which requires many trips to the vets for dremmeling.

 

He does like peanuts and dried fruits as well.

 

I will log into your website and order a bag of each that you recommended and see what he likes.

 

I want only the best for his health. thank you so much for your guidance.

 

Dear Linda

 

Glad we could help with guidance. Higgins Safflower Gold, both varieties are so popular we bring in twice the amount of most other foods.

 

The beak overgrowth could have been a result of the breeder feeding incorrectly, or even an injury from flying into a wall or window at some point.
That it breaks makes me think the later.

 

Have you tried to add a  supplement to his diet? It may help with strengthening the beak some.

 

This would be a good suggestion.

 

A cuttlebone for working her beak would be helpful as well.

 

Thank you
Catherine