African Greys are the species most likely to arrive at a vet with a calcium or vitamin A problem, and the amount fed matters as much as the ingredients. Here is a working baseline.
The starting number
Two to three tablespoons of a varied dry mix per day is a reasonable starting point for an average adult Grey, alongside a proper serving of vegetables. Not a bowl topped up whenever it looks empty — a measured portion, once or twice a day.
That is a starting point, not a prescription. The number that matters is on the scale, not in the scoop.
Weigh the bird, not the food
Weigh your Grey weekly, same time of day, same scale. A healthy adult Grey typically sits somewhere around 400–550 g depending on sex and build. The trend matters more than the single number: a steady downward line over three weeks means increase the food or see a vet. A steady upward line means the nuts are winning.
Adjust for lifestyle, not for appetite
- Caged, clipped, quiet bird: feed towards the low end and keep high-fat pieces limited.
- Flighted, aviary, active bird: the higher end is appropriate; the bird is burning it.
- Winter or breeding condition: requirements change — a breeding hen needs more calcium, not more sunflower.
The two mistakes
Free-feeding. A bowl that is always full teaches the bird to eat the fat first and leave the rest. Greys are selective and will happily live on nuts if allowed.
Judging by the bowl. A full bowl means nothing. Look at what is left: if the nuts are gone and the grain is untouched, your bird is not eating the mix as formulated.
What goes with it
Vegetables daily — dark leafy greens, pepper, squash, carrot. A fortified pellet where your vet advises it, especially for a Grey with a known deficiency. Clean water twice a day.
Where our mix fits
The Complete Parrot Feed Mix contains NutriBird P15 Tropical pellets as its fortified component, plus four nut types, whole carob pods and doum palm fruit. Because it is rich, portion discipline matters more than with a plain seed mix.
Small species in the same house should get the small parrot mix instead — the nut and carob pieces are sized for larger beaks.