Birds have a strong preference for their usual diet and may refuse to eat unfamiliar pellets. A diet of three parts seeds to one part pellets can be offered for one week, half seeds and half pellets the second week, one part seeds to three parts pellets the third week, and pellets thereafter. If at any step your bird refuses this diet, back up the to previous week's ratio of seed to pellets and then resume the transition the next week. If your bird refuses pellets for more than two months, your veterinarian may be able to offer more sophisticated methods. Just as important as a healthy diet is the availability of clean fresh water.
Water is essential for the function of all important biological systems.
Clean water will be free of bacterial, viral, and algal growths that can compromise your bird's health. Food and water dishes should be washed daily and securely anchored in the cage out of the more frequent paths of droppings. Any sudden decrease in appetite or change in dropping color or consistency could be the first sign of illness and should be checked out by your veterinarian. For more information on bird health, contact your local veterinarian.