Many parrot species, like the poicephalus, need diets that are low in protein and fat, but high in calcium and vitamin A. The best way to guarantee this is to buy pellets.
Pellets are designed to have all the nutrients that a particular species needs. They are also low in fat, and since they are dry, they don’t spoil easily. You can leave uneaten pellets in a dish for 3 days before throwing them away. They can also be bought in bulk for much lower prices, and then stored for up to a year.
Poicephalus Food-Fruits and vegetables
However, most veterinarians recommend supplementing a pellet diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Some examples are red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, or any green vegetables. Minimize oranges to twice a week, since the high acidic contact can upset the parrots’ stomach. You can give seeds, but these should only constitute about 10% of the total meals. Seeds are high in fat and may decrease the parrots’ appetite for pellets.
About 20% of your pet’s diet should come from vegetables and fruits. This injects variety into your pet’s diet. Nobody wants to eat the same thing every day! However, it’s important to wash these thoroughly, to remove any traces of chemical insecticide or fertilizer. In fact, the safest thing to do is to buy organic or to use those you grew in your own backyard. Some people cook the vegetables but the heat can decrease the vitamin content.
Poicephalus Food-Feeding dishes
Serve fruits and vegetables and pellets in separate dishes. This prevents the moisture in green leaves or other water-rich food from seeping into the pellets. Wet pellets spoil easily, and can become so soggy that they can be quite a mess to eat!
You also need a dish for water. Change water at least twice a day. If your parrot has a habit of dropping pellets into the drinking bowl, train it to drink from a water bottle.
Clean dishes every day. If your bird has uneaten pellets, you can serve them again but still wash the dish. That prevents any build up of pellet mush, and removes any stickiness or smell.
Report any changes in appetite that lasts for over 3 days to your veterinarian. Just put the same amount of pellets in the bowl each day and observe if it leaves more food than usual. Be particularly vigilant if your pet also displays changes in activity levels.