Cockatiels are popular pet birds known for their colorful plumage, expressive crest feathers, and ability to mimic speech. As with any pet, proper nutrition is important for keeping cockatiels healthy and happy. Seed diets are a common staple for cockatiels, but many owners like to supplement seeds with fresh fruits, vegetables, and pellets. One pelleted food brand that is sometimes fed to cockatiels is Kaytee Trill. But is Trill actually a good choice for these small parrots?
What is Trill?
Kaytee Trill is a nutritionally complete pelleted diet formulated for multiple small bird species. According to the manufacturer, Trill supports immune system health, feather condition, and healthy chirping in canaries, finches, parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels. The main ingredients in Trill are ground corn, soybean meal, ground wheat, and ground oat groats. It also contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, prebiotics, and probiotics.
There are a few different varieties of Trill available:
- Original Blend – The classic Trill recipe with assorted shapes and colors.
- Natural Blend – Pellet shapes, colors, and ingredients designed to mimic a natural diet.
- Tropical Blend – A blend formulated for parrots with fruit flavors and bright colors.
- Garden Select – Includes veggies like carrots, peppers, and leafy greens.
No matter which variety you choose, the nutritional composition is very similar. Trill pelleted diets are designed to be nutritionally balanced when fed as 75% or more of the total diet.
Is Trill Good for Cockatiels?
Trill gets mixed reviews from cockatiel owners. Here are some of the pros and cons:
Pros
- Provides balanced nutrition – Trill is formulated to meet cockatiels’ vitamin and mineral needs.
- Encourages foraging – The different colors and shapes can stimulate natural foraging behaviors.
- Easy to feed – Owners don’t have to worry about carefully measuring out a custom seed mix.
- Less messy – There is less food waste and hulls than with seeds.
- Convenient – Trill is readily available at pet stores.
Cons
- High in carbohydrates – The main ingredients are grains and starchy veggies.
- May cause selective feeding – Cockatiels often pick out their favorite colors and leave the rest.
- Lower in fat than seeds – Cockatiels have higher fat requirements than smaller birds.
- Contains artificial colors – Some owners prefer to avoid dyes.
- Expensive – Trill costs more than plain seed mixes.
Nutritional Comparison of Seeds vs. Trill
Here is a comparison of the crude nutrient composition of a typical cockatiel seed mix and Kaytee Trill:
Nutrient | Cockatiel Seed Mix* | Kaytee Trill |
---|---|---|
Protein | 12-15% | 16% |
Fat | 5-7% | 3.5% |
Fiber | 8-12% | 6% |
*Based on typical commercial cockatiel seed mixes containing millet, oats, sunflower seeds, etc.
As you can see, Trill is slightly higher in protein but lower in fat compared to seeds. The fat levels are noticeably lower. This is concerning since cockatiels have a higher fat requirement (at least 6-10% of the diet) than the small songbirds that Trill is also formulated for.
The Importance of Fat for Cockatiels
Fat is crucial in a cockatiel’s diet for a few reasons:
- Energy – Fat provides more than twice as much energy per gram as protein or carbohydrates. Cockatiels are active birds that need this concentrated energy source.
- Healthy skin and feathers – The preen gland secretes an oil made of fatty acids that help condition feathers. Dietary fat supports feather quality.
- Reproduction – Female cockatiels need extra fat for egg production. Fat also helps young birds grow.
- Brain development – Fatty acids like omega-3s are essential for proper brain and eye development.
- Nutrient absorption – Fat allows absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
With their high activity levels and reproductive needs, cockatiels do best when at least 6-10% of their diet comes from fat. A low fat diet can lead to issues like dry, brittle feathers, poor growth in chicks, and malnutrition. Seeds are naturally high in fat, but the lower fat content of Trill could be problematic.
Alternatives to Trill
If you want to feed your cockatiel a pelleted diet, there are a few alternatives to consider that are higher in fat and designed specifically for parrots:
Harrison’s High Potency Fine Bird Food
- Contains 11% fat
- Also comes in a “Power Treat” version with 15% fat
- Made from certified organic ingredients
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Zupreem Fruity Nut Blend
- 11% minimum fat
- Chunky pellet shape with fruits and veggies
- Bright colors and flavors preferred by birds
Roudybush Daily Maintenance
- 11% crude fat
- 36% crude protein
- Contains fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds
- All-natural ingredients
These diets are all specifically formulated with parrots in mind and contain higher, more appropriate fat levels for cockatiels. Of course, you can also continue feeding Trill but be sure to supplement it with plenty of healthy high-fat foods like safflower seeds, nuts, avocado, and oil seed mixes.
Tips for Feeding Trill to Cockatiels
If you do choose to feed Trill to your cockatiels, here are some tips to make sure they’re still getting adequate fat:
- Offer Trill in moderation, no more than 50% of the daily diet.
- Supplement with higher fat seeds like safflower, sunflower, peanuts, etc. Try a “seed medley” mix.
- Provide some healthy high-fat people foods like nuts, avocado, seeds, grains, pasta.
- Target feed high fat treats like nutriberries or seed pops.
- Monitor weight and feather condition closely.
- Offer Trill Garden Select or Tropical varieties with fruits and veggies.
- During molting or breeding, increase fat from supplements.
With a bit of tweaking and supplements, Trill can be part of a balanced diet for cockatiels. But it shouldn’t be relied on as the sole food source due to the lower fat content. Always monitor your bird’s condition and adjust the diet as needed.
Conclusion
Trill can offer cockatiels balanced nutrition, variety, and foraging enrichment. However, the lower fat levels are a concern compared to a traditional higher fat seed-based diet. Limit Trill to 50% or less of the diet, and be sure to supplement with higher fat foods like safflower seeds, vegetables, fruits, nuts, pasta, and healthy people food. Target feeding fat-rich treats can also help balance things out when feeding Trill. With some adjustments, Trill can be a part of a healthy diet, but there are also better options designed just for parrots. Consult an avian vet if you have any concerns about your cockatiel’s diet.