Pellet diet, bright green stool and constant eating?

Question

i recently converted my 10 year old cockatiel to an all-pellet diet (zupreem harvest feast). the switch surprisingly easy but ever since then my bird has had very large, bright green stool (like the color of the navigation bar at the top of this yahoo answers page). i'm guessing this is because the pellets come in several different colors including green, but still it's kind of freaky seeing the bottom of the cage dotted with such unusual color. is this normal?

also -- my bird didn't eat very often when he was on a seed diet, but now that he's on the pellets he spend about 80% of his day munching away. is this because pellets aren't as fattening and are therefore less filling? he doesn't appear to have gained or lost any weight, and he doesn't act like a sick bird (not puffed up or anti-social, etc.). is this common when birds are on pellets?

Answer 1

Well for one thing and all Pellet diet is not the best to have him on. He also needs some seeds and fruits, veggies and an pasta.  I have a African Grey and he was raised on just pellets and he is a very skinny bird and has always remained so. Everyone thinks there is something wrong, he has been tested and is ok. I think the all Pellet diet was not the best for him.  Maybe your bird feels he is just not getting everything he needs.

Answer 2

Yes this is normal. I feed my parakeets green veggies and they're p**p color is green. It depends on the food you feed your cockatiel. Just make sure the food isn't harmful. Some of the pet stores that sell any kind of animal food, doesn't necessarily mean it's healthy. There are some bad ingredients so make sure you go check on that. Some of the bad ingredients that i have found are:

•Ethoxyquin

•BHA

•BHT

Make sure that the food you buy your cockatiel doesn't have color. I've heard it's bad but i'm not sure. Though i make sure the food i feed my parakeets don't have any color or bad ingredients. They'll live longer and healthier! Good Luck! =)