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From: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds,rec.pets
Subject: Re: PARROT ADVICE NEEDED!
Message-ID: <285F5F7E.625E@intercon.com>
Date: 19 Jun 91 13:43:25 GMT
References: <1991Jun18.214215.1944@cbnewsd.att.com>
Sender: usenet@intercon.com (USENET The Magnificent)
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.com (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation, Herndon, VA
Lines: 30

In article <1991Jun18.214215.1944@cbnewsd.att.com>, bamford@cbnewsd.att.com 
(harold.e.bamford) writes:
> Given that NO seeds is the correct amount (IMHO), then the answer
> to the question is "no."  I recommend pellets as a supplement to
> fruit, corn, etc, rather than seed.  Conversion is touchy (harder
> on the owner than the bird, however) but once converted, birds
> often prefer pellets to seeds.  I will not cover all the
> exceptions.  As for The Bustard's breastbone being "too" sharp, be
> aware that Greys often have sharp breastbones.  If he is eating
> well, behaves normally, has been examined/blessed by an AVIAN vet,
> then there is no problem.

 Now that is a pretty narrow minded attitude.  1)  seeds are a part of a bird's 
natural diet.  2)  there are absolutely no controls on the manufacture of 
pellets, therefore saying pellets per se are better than seeds per se is an 
attitude without factual basis.  3)  nutritionally, NO ONE KNOWS the dietary 
requirements of psittacine species (with, perhaps the exception of cockatiels), 
therefore anyone who says pellets with supplements are better than seeds with 
supplements cannot back up that statement.  4)  conversion from seeds to 
pellets, especially with wild caught birds, *MAY* cause extreme stress that 
manifests itself anywhere from mild illness to starvation.  Given that this 
grey is on the thin side as it is, conversion may cause death.

Also, NB:  Grey oftentimes suffer from calcium depletion in disproportionate 
numbers.  NEVER feed a grey spinach or kale.  ALWAYS supplement any grey's diet 
with calcium supplements (i.e. vionate, nekton calcium supplements, etc).  And 
be careful about the amount of vitamin D3 in the bird's diet as that also binds 
calcium.

Mikki Barry