Zupreem

[cindy]

Nibbles is the smallest. The rod shaped even in the small size is to big for finches. I also found there was a bit of waste in the rods since some hookbills snap it in half and parts of it drop. The Nibbles and Crumbles are easier to manage and less waste.

[isyourpetfixed]

This is all great info, thanks! Gary, where is the birdsmart? I tried google-ing and only see something that looks like a bird fair?

[FeatherHarp]

I did not have good luck with the Zupreem for my finches...they would not eat them at all. I had one Budgie that loved them so he ate most of them up. But I did grind some of it up into powder and added it to my birdy bread so they did get the benefit of eating the Zupreem without knowing it.

[Sally]

This is all great info, thanks! Gary, where is the birdsmart? I tried google-ing and only see something that looks like a bird fair?

If you post your location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer questions. Often, the terms fair and mart are used interchangeably. Bird shows can either be an exhibition or competition, but can have a fair or mart in conjunction with the show. If you are in SFO area, the next mart would be in San Jose on April 22. It is posted on the calendar.

[purplejasminevn]

Nibbles is the smallest. The rod shaped even in the small size is to big for finches. I also found there was a bit of waste in the rods since some hookbills snap it in half and parts of it drop. The Nibbles and Crumbles are easier to manage and less waste.

Got a 2lbs bag from PestMart last night.... my Goulds love it ... so i am going to order them online. Thanks

[cindy]

You are welcome. For larger quanities go to http://www.bulkbirdfood.com/ it is foryourbird.com sister site

[ac12]

Deborah
I had to force convert several of my finches using the "introducing new food" method described in the FIC. The hardest ones to convert were my first 2 zebras, after that the rest were easier.
- I remove the seeds just before lights out, and replace w pellets.
- In the morning, I time 1 hour, then put the seeds back.
- I do this for 5 days.
- If they do not eat the pellets, I increase the time to 2 hours, again for 5 days.
- If they do not eat the pellets, I increase the time to 3 hours, for 5 days.
- If they do not eat the pellets, I increase the time to 4 hours.

Usually they are eating the pellets by the time I reach 4 hours.

You have to be careful and watch the birds. Some birds could be STUBBORN and refuse to eat the pellets. You do not want those birds to starve.

Once you have one bird eating pellets, the others start following "monkey see, monkey do." That is how I get new birds to eat pellets. All the other birds in the cage eat pellets, so they will follow and eat with them. You still have to watch that they ARE eating, and during this time I will suppliment with seeds as treats.

As of now, except for 3 bird (canary and 2 fire finches) all my birds are primarily on pellet food (either Zupreem Natural or LaFeber's Finch Food). The Canary has been partially converted, he will eat pellets, but prefers seeds, and I still have a bag and a half of Canary seeds left to use up. The fire finches I just never got around to converting (other priorities). But the hen does eat LaFeber's finch food, so she is partially converted. The gouldian and zebra chicks were brought up on both seeds and pellets, then when moved into the community cage, the primary food is pellet food.

[isyourpetfixed]

So I got my 10 pound bag from for your bird and it is different from what I get at the pet store! My guys are eating it, but they are clearly not thrilled about it like they were before. The difference is that the 2 pound bag from pet store have TEENY TINY pellets that are neon colored. The 10 pound bag from foryourbird are larger and more Christmas colored (red, green, etc.). They are both labeled Fruit Flavor Blend for finches / canaries.
Anyone know what or why it is different? I contacted foryourbird to ask if they know but have not heard back yet. Figured I might hear back from some forum members quicker! Oh, and they shipped quickly and had great prices!

[cindy]

Mine eat it just fine....I would call Zupreem and pose the question.

[isyourpetfixed]

They are eating it, they just are not excited like they were with the teeny neon ones. I have to leave the seed out to make sure they eat it otherwise they sit and pick through the seed hulls over and over again before looking at the 'christmas blend'!

[ac12]

If you use the Zupreem fruit flavored (the colorful one) some of the birds will pick certain colors to eat and not eat the other colors. Watch them to make sure that they are eating enough and don't starve. Yes that is easier said than done. But keep an eye on the total consumption. You want them to eat all the pellets, even if they do start with their favorite color/flavor.

[cindy]

Gary is right...some not all do pick certain colors out...my green singers eat all colors but red. The owls in one flight eat all colors, the others eat more of one color than others. Most zebras down it all.

[isyourpetfixed]

Thanks for the tip Gary and Cindy. It is Zebra's and Shaftails. They are eating all the pellets but do not "go nuts" when the new bigger stuff is put in like they did with the tiny neon ones. They would down that stuff in about an hour. With the new stuff I put it in and remove the seeds for about half a day and then replace the seeds. They contacted me today from the company and wanted to know my order number, so I will tell you what they say once they reply again. Thanks ya'll!

[ac12]

Are you talking about the size "small" Natural pellets?
I found out they discontinued the finch size "extra small" Natural pellets. Now the smallest is size small, which is also sized for canaries and parakeets. I have a 20 pound bag of that coming, so I will see how my finches take to the larger size pellets.

On second thought, I think the 10 pound bag is not a factory size. I think they bag their own smaller sizes from the LARGE factory bags. I think they gave you the "small" size parakeet pellets rather than the "extra small" finch and canary size pellet.

[cindy]

I order from For Your Bird....the 10 lb bags looks like this

If you order from foryourbird.com and you order 20 lbs you get two 10 lb bgs or if you order 30 lbs you get 3 10 lb bags. I have been ordering from them for years. I have not hd a repackaged bag of Zupreem sent to me as of yet.

You should have gotten conformation email with prices, co back and look t the code on the email for the code of the pellets, compare it to the site.

I also ordered parakeet size and it was not rebagged.