This is a specific conversation about Bird supplies — getting the setup right — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Switching away from coloured seed mixes is a genuinely good move — those artificial dyes and flavour coatings add nothing nutritionally and can put unnecessary stress on a small bird's system. The tricky part is that lovebirds are notorious for picking out their favourite pieces and resisting change, so a cold-turkey swap rarely works. How old is your lovebird, and do you know which seeds they tend to go for in the current mix? That'll help me figure out the best approach.
She's about 3 years old, and she definitely picks out the red and orange bits first — I think they're the sweetened ones. She ignores most of the rest.
inparticular.ai
Classic lovebird behaviour — they zero in on the sweetest, most heavily coated seeds and leave the nutritious stuff. At 3 she's fully set in her preferences, so you'll need a gradual blend-down rather than an immediate switch. The plain seed I'd point you toward is Versele-Laga Prestige Lovebirds — it's a well-balanced mix specifically formulated for lovebirds with the right ratio of millets, canary seed, and a small amount of safflower. No coatings, no dyes, genuinely good quality.
How do I actually do the transition? Do I just mix them together?
inparticular.ai
Yes, exactly — mixing is the right method. Start at roughly 75% old mix, 25% new over the first week. If she's eating well and not seeming stressed, move to 50/50 in week two, then 25% old and 75% new in week three, and full plain seed by week four. The key is watching her weight and droppings — a lovebird losing weight or going quiet is a sign she's refusing the new food rather than eating it. Weigh her on a small kitchen scale every few days if you can; it's the most reliable early warning system.
What if she just picks out the old stuff even when it's mixed in?
inparticular.ai
That does happen. If she's cherry-picking the old seeds, try reducing the volume in the bowl so she has to eat what's there rather than sorting through a full dish. Also offer the Versele-Laga separately in a second small dish alongside the mixed bowl — some birds will cautiously try things when it's presented as a new option rather than a replacement. Foraging toys can help too; hiding seeds in a foraging cup means she's less able to selectively extract favourites. Patience is the main ingredient here — four to six weeks is realistic for a stubborn bird.
That's really helpful, thank you. Is there anything else I should be adding to her diet while I'm overhauling things?
inparticular.ai
Since you're already making a positive change, it's worth introducing fresh leafy greens alongside this — romaine, kale, or fresh herbs like coriander are well-tolerated by most lovebirds and add real nutritional value. A small piece of egg food a couple of times a week is also useful, especially during moult. And if she doesn't already have a cuttlebone, add one — it's an easy calcium top-up. The seed switch alone is a meaningful improvement though, so don't feel like you need to do everything at once.
