Is a seed diet healthy?

I have a 15 year old Quaker Parrot. Recently his beak looked a little discolored and was growing too long so I took him to the vet and the vet said we should get him a diet supplement to help his beak. When I went to the pet store the bird guy there insisted that rather than buy the supplement, I just buy this special food that is 99% seeds. He seemed pretty genuine, he said that in the wild birds don’t need supplements because they get the nutrients they need from seeds. That makes sense, but I’ve also heard that feeding pet birds too many seeds can be bad because they are very fatty. Anyone have any input on this?

Your avian veterinarian knows best. You should follow the vet’s advice over the pet shop clerk. I personally do not trust seeds to provide birds with optimum nutrition. In the wild bird are eating the freshest seasonally available seed. The seeds we have in seed mix isn’t so fresh, and there isn’t as much variety. Usually birds only pick out their favorites and scatter the rest. This leads to dietary deficiency. If you feed pellets your bird can’t pick and choose b/c every bite contained the same nutrition. Regardless of whether you feed seed or pellets you have to provide fresh fruits and veggies for your birds. I feed my birds Kaytee exact pellets and only give sprouted seeds. I give them kale everyday and veggies and fruit that is in season.

Wild Bird Center of Boulder Colorado Store Tour

Woodlink Container Patented dual-pour plastic storage containers. Great for bird seed, pet food and pet litter. No scoop, no spills, no bugs. Easy to fill and pour….

Chinese Black Rice, 1 lb. $7.99 Chinese Black Rice is a short grain Rice with a high gluten content making it perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. It is also known as Chinese Forbidden Black Rice. Chinese Black Rice is deep black in color prior to cooking and imparts a beautiful deep dark purple color after cooking. This Rice has a sweet flavor and a wonderful sticky texture. Traditionally served in Taiwan and mainland Chin…

C&S Single Suet Basket $1.60 This small black plastic coated wire suet feeder/basket with chain hanger has a special design which makes filling the basket a snap. Our suet baskets are a necessary key to your successful wild bird feeding. Holds 1 Suet Cake…

C & S Products Suet Plug Feeder, 6-Piece $7.77 Feeder to hold c & s suet plugs, holds up to 4 plugs. Insert plugs into feeder holes, compress plugs into feeder until they fit snugly. Size: 3.50 in x 3.50 in. x 12.75 in high….

Funky Gazebo Seed Feeder $6.99 Suitable for all seed mixesStainless steel hanging wire and clipColors match funky tube feedersSizeColor ASSORTEDBCI – 507694…