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hi all - My CAG is 13 yrs old and has been a steady 525 grams for a long time. I'm not sure I'm an advocate of the little/no seed and mostly pellet diet, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm making the change over because I just can't find any seed diets that I'm happy with (he gets other foods too, but this is the main part). Anyhow, my question is this: what percentage of weight loss can happen before I should get worried? It's been 2 weeks and he's now down to 513 grams. yes he's eating the pellets and all that, although he still gives me the evil eye when he gets only a little bit of seed rather than the amount he used to My vet has never said he's fat. I can understand some loss, but I don't have an idea of weight relationship here.

Thanks,
Teri

Are you also feeding him fresh food -- greens and veggies, a little fruit? My greys really enjoy their fresh meals. My vet and others have long used 10% as a safe weight loss guide. But any stress that causes weight loss can weaken the immune system, which is dangerous. I worry long before mine lose as much as 10%.

Teri & Dewey wrote:hi all - My CAG is 13 yrs old and has been a steady 525 grams for a long time. I'm not sure I'm an advocate of the little/no seed and mostly pellet diet, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm making the change over because I just can't find any seed diets that I'm happy with (he gets other foods too, but this is the main part). Anyhow, my question is this: what percentage of weight loss can happen before I should get worried? It's been 2 weeks and he's now down to 513 grams. yes he's eating the pellets and all that, although he still gives me the evil eye when he gets only a little bit of seed rather than the amount he used to My vet has never said he's fat. I can understand some loss, but I don't have an idea of weight relationship here.

Thanks,
Teri

I would think that you could find somewhere on-line where you can order a specific seed blend that you are happy with? IMO, pellets should be a minimum part of the diet and natural foods (to include seed) should comprise the majority of the diet. Fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and other healthy food (unprocessed) should be what we bird/parrot keepers should be feeding our birds, all the time and we should not be cutting corners, saving money or trying to save time (etc.) by doing anything else.

In addition to that, we should be keeping our parrots fully flighted and give them safe exposure to natural direct sunshine, rain showers, out-door fresh air, foraging toys, etc. etc. etc. … I feel if we do all mentioned (etc.), we will not have any problems with our birds other than those possibly of a hereditary nature.

Sorry I did not answer your direct question about the percentage of weight loss that can occur before you worry.

JMO

Thanks for the replies. Yes he gets fresh foods and stuff as well, he's well rounded in that aspect. I just wanted to focus on the weight thing, not get into the infamous debate over pellets vs. seed I myself am not sure which way I sway, but until trying both methods with him, I don't feel it's fair to pick a side. Now, show me where some good research has been done on all our individual species, exactly what each eats in the wild and why, and then I think we'd all be better enlightened! Monica, ever since i got him at 4 months, the only one he'll touch is the PB African, so that's what he's on. I know it's not the greatest, but he'll literally starve before touching Harrisons, Roudybush, Scenic, Zupreem (i haven't tried any others). Thanks for the 10% guideline Bluesbird. Yes I'll worry well before that as well
-Teri