
According to our vet, (as well as a bird rescue in another state we were familiar with), all-pellet diets are potentially as bad as all-seed diets. We adopted a budgie about 10 yrs ago that had been on an all pellet diet her whole life before we got her. She died from the kidney damage, confirmed on necropsy, that the vet said research tied to all-pellet diets. Seed isn't bad, it's just bad if that's all they get. In the wild, cockatiels are naturally seed eaters, but they eat other plant material, too.
The newer pellets contain more greens. E.g., TOPS pellets, and the newer Harrisons formula, HOPS. When I order TOPS pellets, I get the bundle; a bag of mini pellets, and a bag of Napolean seed mix. You can see on the TOPS site, (Totally Organic Pellets is what it stands for), the ingredients. The seed mix is formulated for small seed eating birds and isn't loaded with mostly sunflower etc. It has a lot of oats. Harrison's old formula, superfine, which looked a lot like millet, is apparently being phased out. He will also eat the smallest Zupreem, but I try to stick to the brands with more greens, and no dyes.
During the pandemic I got used to ordering everything! So now I just order his food direct from the maker.
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