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Pellets or Seeds? Seeds or Pellets? Which choice is right for your Eclectus parrot? It seems that half of the experts recommend seeds, and the other half recommend pellets. What exactly is the difference between seeds and pellets?

First, you should know that your Eclectus parrot will absolutely adore seeds of all types. Unfortunately, too much seed is not healthy for him, and furthermore, certain seeds should be avoided altogether. For example, your Eclectus parrot should not eat fruit seeds, as they won’t digest properly in his system.

Many people mistakenly think that if they feed the Eclectus parrot seed that is designed for birds, that there won’t be a problem, and for the most part, this isn’t a problem. However, those seeds are typically oily, and since Eclectus parrots are prone to becoming obese, they aren’t good for him in excess. All things in moderation.

It is important to remember that the Eclectus parrot has a long intestinal tract. Therefore, he needs enough fiber to keep waste moving through that intestine. This is why he needs fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as seeds or pellets. Some experts recommend seeds, because they tend to be more natural, while others recommend pellets because they have more nutritional value, with less fat and calories.

The Eclectus parrot diet should consist of more fruits and vegetables than seeds or pellets. Overall, seeds or pellets should only make up about one fourth of the birds daily intake of food. The rest should come from fruits and vegetables. While experts cannot agree, science itself gives us the indication that pellets are actually healthier for the Eclectus parrots, because they are specially prepared with the vitamins and minerals that the bird needs.

Unfortunately, many breeders start the babies on seeds, and then the owner switches them to pellets. While this generally isn’t a problem, the fact that the bird may not recognize the pellets as food can become a huge problem, causing the bird to starve to death.

Also, when you select pellets for your Eclectus parrot, you should avoid pellets that are colored. There have been many problems reported with the use of colored pellets. You may find that your parrot doesn’t grow as well as he should, or that his feathers lose their beautiful coloring when they molt. His beak may also turn a horrible shade of yellow.

When it is all said and done; only you can choose between seeds and pellets. Talk to your veterinarian about this, and see what he recommends for your particular Eclectus parrot. It could also be that the bird determines the outcome of this debate, as he may show you that he prefers one over the other. Finally, realize that there is no reason why you can’t feed him both seeds and pellets, alternating the two, as long as he is still getting more fresh fruits and vegetables than anything else.