When it comes to pellets and the Eclectus there is always strong debate and controversy. We either love them or hate them. Pellets used to be known to cause many behavioural and health problems in the Eclectus and people today still seem to believe they still do. Much has been studied over the years and changed to suit the species parrot when it comes to any pellet. You can now buy 100% natural, organic species specific pellets so, they have certainly come a long way to what they used to be.

The previous pellet ingredient problems were said to be red dye, excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals and especially excessive amounts of vitamin D3. These caused many problems with Eclectus parrots such as screaming, plucking and aggression and more but one of the main problems noted was toe tapping. Today you can now buy pellets that have the correct amount of vitamins and minerals for the Eclectus so there is a far less risk of your Eclectus developing any pellet related health issues.

There are still some Eclectus parrots that, no matter what pellets they use or how natural they are, still end up with some problems while eating pellets. This is more of an individual sensitivity and issue than it is a species related issue. Although Eclectus parrots are generally a hardy bird, as a species they’re a little more sensitive to diets than other species of parrot and some individuals appear to be even more sensitive to certain foods. If an Eclectus is sensitive to even the best pellets on the market then it's possible they’re sensitive to other foods in their diet as well, no matter how healthy that food may be.

It is known among Eclectus enthusiasts that they do extremely well on natural soft fresh food diets but not everyone is able to cater for an enormous variety as well as an enormous appetite when it comes to healthy human foods. To have an Eclectus solely on a healthy ‘human’ food diet (fresh raw foods), the variety needs to be very broad and your Eclectus should not be a fussy eater.

Today feeding healthy human foods is on the increase but there are some that still prefer to use pellets as a base diet and have never experienced any health issues doing so. Generally, unless your Eclectus is more sensitive than usual to certain foods you shouldn't have problems feeding pellets.

If you want to try pellets for your Eclectus, go for the best. Use closest to natural that you can find, Eclectus specific pellets such as TOPS or Dr Mac's. Vetafarm also appear to be a reasonably good brand as Eclectus don’t seem to react badly in any way to this brand. Roudybush is slowly making it’s way into Australia and also has some good feedback. Don’t use pellets as a sole diet or large base diet. Still offer a large amount of healthy human foods. Because Eclectus parrots get most of their fluids from fresh fruit, veg and sprouts, offering a lot of pellets can also cause dehydration and to drink more water than they would.

When trying pellets keep an eye on your Eclectus over the next few days for any changes in behaviour. If there are changes remove the pellets from the diet, try another brand or go back to using only healthy human foods.

Avoid using pellets with colours, preservatives, high potency vitamin and minerals in them.

Coloured pellets also inhibit the production of red during the development of feathers. Red feathers of an Eclectus being fed coloured pellets can often come through with yellow or orange through them. High potency pellets in particular have been noted to cause toe tapping in a lot of Eclectus Parrots. Eclectus do not need high vitamin and mineral intakes in their diets.

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Pellets do not need to be used as the base diet for the Eclectus. A variety of everything, including a few pellets is sufficient. Many people also use pellets to extract the vitamins and minerals the Eclectus will need daily. There has been minimal problems in regards to non pellet eaters lacking in vitamins and minerals.

Coloured pellets has also been said to inhibit the production of red during the development of feathers. Red feathers of an Eclectus being fed coloured pellets can often come through with yellow or orange through them. But this is not to be confused with a healthy Eclectus eating non coloured pellets developing yellow feathers. There are many reasons for the Eclectus to develop yellow feathers and pellets seem to get blamed all the time.

Pellets is really a personal choice. Many Eclectus care givers choose to never offer pellets. Many choose to offer as a base diet. All these care givers have no health problems in doing either. Pellets are not always good, but they’re a bad thing either. I do offer my parrots pellets, approximately a hand full about every 3-4 weeks. I us the pellets as a ‘top up’ for nutrients that they might not be getting eating their fresh raw foods.