How should I feed my African Grey to gain weight?
Give an adult African Grey 30–35g of high‑quality pellets twice a day and add 1/4cup of mixed vegetables, for a total of about 70g of food daily.
Adult feeding schedule for weight gain
Feed an adult African Grey 30–35g of pellets twice daily, totaling 60–70g per day. Add 1/4cup (≈30g) of finely chopped carrots, broccoli, and leafy greens at each meal, bringing the daily intake to roughly 100g of food. This combination supplies the protein, fat, and fiber needed for steady weight gain without excess calories.
Serve the first meal in the morning between 07:00and 09:00 and the second between 16:00and 18:00, keeping the interval 8–10hours apart. Use a digital kitchen scale to the nearest gram; consistency matters more than the exact time. Rotate vegetables daily to prevent boredom and to provide a broader vitamin profile.
- 30–35g pellets ×2 per day
- 1/4cup mixed veg ×2 per day
- Water: 200–250ml fresh daily
Feeding changes by life stage
Nestlings (0–12weeks) need 20–25g of soft‑pellet mash three times daily, plus a teaspoon of unsweetened applesauce as a calorie boost. Their gut is still developing, so keep the mash at room temperature (70–75°F / 21–24°C) and monitor droppings for consistency.
Adults (1–30years) follow the schedule above. Seniors (30+years) often lose muscle mass, so increase pellet portions to 35–40g twice daily and add a tablespoon of cooked sweet potato each meal. Reduce seed to less than 5% of total intake to avoid unnecessary fat.
- Nestling: 20–25g ×3 meals
- Senior: 35–40g pellets ×2
- Seed ≤5% of diet
Measuring portions and transitioning foods
I keep a 500‑ml glass bowl on the cage floor; it holds exactly 100g of pellets, so I can eyeball the 30‑g portion without a scale for quick checks. For precise work, a digital gram scale (±1g) is indispensable, especially when adjusting for weight gain or loss.
When introducing a new vegetable, mix 1part new veg with 3parts familiar veg for 3days, then shift to 1:1 for another 4days. This gradual transition prevents digestive upset and lets you watch for any change in droppings or appetite.
- Scale accuracy: ±1g
- Transition period: 7days total
- Glass bowl capacity: 100g
Water, treats, and enrichment
Provide 200–250ml of filtered water daily; change it at least twice a day to keep it cool (70°F / 21°C) in summer and warm (75°F / 24°C) in winter. A shallow stainless‑steel dish prevents tip‑overs and makes cleaning easier.
Treats should never exceed 5% of total calories—about 3–4g per day for an adult. Offer a half‑raisin, a few almond slivers, or a teaspoon of millet spray no more than three times a week. Use for training, not as filler.
- Water: 200–250ml daily
- Treat limit: ≤5% of diet
- Almonds: ≤5 pieces/week
Common mistakes that cause weight problems
Over‑reliance on seed is the biggest error; seed is 70% fat and can quickly tip a bird into obesity. If you see the bird’s belly bulging beyond the ribcage, cut seed to under 5% and replace with pellets.
Skipping daily weigh‑ins hides gradual changes. I place a small pet carrier on a kitchen scale, weigh the bird each morning, and record the number; a shift of ±5g over two weeks signals a diet tweak is needed.
- Seed ≤5% of diet
- Weigh weekly, note ±5g changes
- Adjust pellets before treats
Keep reading about African Grey Parrot: African Grey Parrot care sheet
Related questions
How many grams of pellets should I give my African Grey each day?
Aim for 30–35g per meal, twice a day, for a total of 60–70g of pellets daily. Adjust upward by 5g if the bird isn’t gaining weight after two weeks.
Can I give my parrot fruit every day?
Limit fruit to 1‑2 tablespoons (≈15‑30g) per day, no more than three days a week, because the natural sugars can hinder weight gain.
What temperature should the cage stay at?
Maintain the room at 70–80°F (21–27°C) with 40–60% humidity. Use a hygrometer and a thermostat to keep the environment stable, especially in winter.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your african grey parrot is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.