Is a pelleted diet the same as a seed diet?

Question

i recently got a parakeet and didnt know which was healthier or cheaper.

Answer 1

Seed and pelleted diets are different. A pelleted diet is generally much healthier for a bird, and usually not that much more expensive if at all.

The main difference being a pelleted diet is actually the healthy portion of the foods (the actual seed, not the hulls, vegetables, grains, etc) all mixed up and formed into a pellet. The bird gets more nutrition, there's less waste (the bird doesn't have to shell the seeds and end up tossing the hulls everywhere) and the additives actually get eaten by the bird. (with "fortified" seed diets, the seeds are just coated. The birds don't eat the outsides of the seeds, so they don't really get any of the vitamins that have been added, so you're paying for wasted additives....)

If the bird hasn't been on a pelleted diet though, you'll have to try and introduce it. You can't just completely switch up a birds food. Sometimes birds can be horrible about trying new foods if they haven't been introduced to many things when younger.

Answer 2

Pelleted diets are not always healthier since pellets are processed and that is not good for a bird. A diet like they would find in the wild is what is best for your bird. If your bird eats mainly seed in the wild- get him a good high quality mix. Chop up fresh fruit and veggies, whole grain breads and even try some sprouted seed (which are very nutritious and easy to do).

I use sunseed small hookbill for my parrotlets- which I really like the ingredients. I also use goldenfeast mixs and add them to their seed. Goldenfeast is mainly granola based- it has no additives and is a human grade food...it has fruit,veggies, grains, nuts, everything that your bird needs.

Don't buy cheap seed mix's for your bird. They have alot of additives your bird doesn't need,  you want your bird to live as long as it can, and have the prettiest feathers.

Answer 3

First off it shouldn't be a matter of cost for one bird. I give my birds all of the pellets that they will consume. Then I give each pair of parrots 1/4 cup of mixed seed each evening. Fresh fruits and veggies will keep your keet going for a long time.

Answer 4

A pellet diet is suppose to be healthier for the bird, but harder to get the keet to eat it   =)  You can try, and if it doesn't work, then just stick to the seed diet.

Also, seed diets are cheaper. So its either or. Doesn't really matter. Your bird will probably still live a long life on a seed diet.