Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

I’m looking for a good quality seed mix for my 4 birds

 

Darryl Z. asks:

 

Hi.

I’m looking for a good quality seed mix for my 4 birds – a CAG, a Yellow-Shouldered Amazon, a Meyers, and a Caique.

 

I’m currently using Vita Parrot by Sun Seed but it’s become really filthy over the years.

I actually, pick out the papaya because it’s so filthy and looks so gross, I don’t want my birds eating it.

 

So that’s where I’m coming from and I wonder if you could please recommend a few of your top mixes.

 

Reading about Volkman seed in yesterday’s Birdie Brunch sparked my interest in purchasing parrot food from you, and then I saw the extensive and impressive selection you have on your website and I’m afraid I need to help please just get pointed in the right direction.

 

With a couple of suggestions, I can then read more about them on your website.

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Darryl

 

Dear Darryl

As we don’t sell Sun Seed Vita Seed I had to Google it to see what the ingredients are.

I see that it is heavier in Safflower Seeds than Sunflower which is good.

 

Examining the picture, I don’t see a lot of dried fruit (papaya) but the stock photograph is not always the best representation.

 

I would consider this mix as a “base” diet and use it to fill the dish, but also add other foods, extra nut meats, a separate dish of veggies and some fruit, etc.

 

Volkman makes some very nice seed blends.

 

They are all different so you may be able to select one that appeals.

 

They do offer species-specific blends, but really, you just go for the mix that looks like something you feel your bird(s) will like.

 

 

The Volkman Super African Grey and The Volkman Super Eclectus blends are the most creative mixes they offer.

 

Both have a very nice list of ingredients. All extremely clean with little to no shell debris in the bags.

 

Volkman Super Parrot is a basic mix with sunflower seeds and safflower seeds.

 

Volkman Super Hookbill is a basic mix with no sunflower seeds.

 

Volkman mixes have little to no pellets in them.

 

Higgins is our biggest line with 100 varieties.

 

ALL have the same Intune pellet line in them sized for the birds and you can then select a seed mix and beef it up with an extra bag of pellets or some more dried fruits and nuts.

 

Sunburst Parrot would be a nice mix that would be able to serve all 4 birds. It has more Safflower than Sunflower.

 

It contains Intune Pellets and lots of nuts, dried fruits, and veggies.

 

The Sunburst line has the treats included in the bags.

 

 

If you need further help, please let me know.

Thank you.
Catherine

 

Darryl Z. replied

 

Thank you so very much, Catherine!

 

This is exactly the information I needed. You are amazing! Many, many thanks!!

 

You helped me with a cage several years ago.

 

YOU’RE THE BEST! THANK YOU, CATHERINE!!!

Darryl

 

Hello, this is Joseph T:

 

Item number 31502331021 the picture is very deceiving this food has 78% safflower seeds and is not like the picture shows.

 

I wish I knew this, my quaker does not like them at all, he will not want so many safflower seeds I did not expect that in this food.

 

Catherine replied

 

Dear Joseph

I took a look at the item you ordered.

Volkman Avian Science Super Cockatiel No Sunflower Mix 2 Lb

You ordered a mix with no sunflower seeds.

It is then mainly as described in the ingredient panel, Millet and Safflower seeds, etc.

Any cockatiel, conure, lovebird, parrot mix made without Sunflower seeds will generally have Safflower Seeds inserted in their place.

I pulled a bag of the food along with one with sunflower seeds.

They pretty much look like the picture shown on the website.

 

Some manufacturers’ pictures do look a little fancier than what the bag actually is, but the Volkman foods are pretty spot on.

 

If you feel the mix is disproportionately higher in Safflower Seeds than it should be, please contact the manufacturer at 800-635-9359.

 

I looked and saw the last bag of food you ordered was the Higgins Sunburst Conure Size Gourmet Bird Food 3 lb which is very different from safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and lots more different things so I understand why you would be surprised with the Volkman.

 

Plus you ordered a Cockatiel mix which is pretty small for your Quaker who can eat a larger Conure to Parrot sized mix.

I recommend getting a bag of another food sized for Conures at least and mix them together so it is more pleasing.

 

Thank you

Catherine