If pellets are used, what specific characteristic must they possess for the sensitive Eclectus parrot diet?
Unenriched, organic formulas
Because of the Eclectus parrot's extreme efficiency in nutrient absorption and its predisposition to hypervitaminosis from enriched foods, general commercial pellets are typically discouraged unless specific criteria are met. The primary concern with standard pellets is the added vitamins and minerals which can lead to toxic accumulation. Therefore, if pellets are to be incorporated into the diet—which should never form the basis—they must be of the highest quality available. This means they should be unenriched, meaning they lack added synthetic vitamins, and ideally be organic formulas. Furthermore, even when using these appropriate pellets, they should be strictly limited, constituting no more than 50% of the non-produce portion of the overall meal plan.
