Vitapol Karmeo for cockatiels, 500 g is a complete premium food from the Polish brand Vitapol for cockatiels. According to the manufacturer, Karmeo parrot foods include nutrient-rich extruded pieces based on fruit and alfalfa, and fatty ingredients have been significantly reduced to keep caged birds in better shape. The seed mix is enriched with crushed oyster shell, a natural source of calcium needed for healthy feathers, bones and claws. The cockatiel recipe adds a new ingredient: dried eucalyptus leaves. It has 29 components, including three kinds of millet, canary seed, oats, buckwheat, seeds, hawthorn, rowan and papaya powder.
What a cockatiel needs
In the wild, cockatiels eat grass and cereal seeds, so at home their diet is based on a millet and canary seed mix. Pet birds move less than wild ones, so the mix shouldn't contain many fatty seeds. Calcium matters for feathers and bones, and especially for females during laying. More on a similar diet in budgie food and care.
Key specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | complete seed mix |
| For | cockatiels |
| Components | 29 |
| Base | yellow, red and white millet, canary seed, oats |
| Calcium source | oyster shell, calcium carbonate |
| Special ingredients | eucalyptus leaf, papaya powder, alfalfa meal |
| Weight | 500 g |
| Brand | Vitapol, Poland |
Pros
- A complete food. According to the manufacturer.
- Oyster shell. Natural calcium.
- Fewer fatty seeds. For caged birds.
- Fruit and alfalfa extrudates.
- Eucalyptus leaf and papaya. Unusual ingredients.
- 29 components. A varied mix.
- Full ingredient list.
Cons
- No analysis. Protein and fat aren't given.
- No feeding guide.
- Contains sunflower, peanuts and hemp. Though in a smaller share.
- Contains soya and wheat flour.
Ingredients
Yellow millet, red millet, white millet, canary seed, oats, buckwheat, linseed, white sorghum, red sorghum, safflower seeds, hemp seed, peanuts, wheat flakes, sunflower seeds, soya flour, corn flour, pumpkin seeds, dried hawthorn berries, dried rowan berries, oyster shell, white sunflower seeds, raisins, dried eucalyptus leaf, wheat flour, alfalfa meal, papaya powder, linseed oil, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate.
Why oyster shell
Parrots need calcium for feathers, bones, claws and beak, and females need it for eggshells. Crushed oyster shell is a natural calcium source the bird gets with its food. The recipe also includes calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate. Even so, a mineral block or cuttlebone in the cage is a good idea.
How to feed it
The site doesn't give a feeding guide. A cockatiel usually gets one to two tablespoons of mix a day. Blow the husks off the dish daily so you can see how much seed is left. If the bird picks out only sunflower and peanuts, wait until it has eaten the rest before topping up. Fresh water should always be available.
What to add to the diet
Besides the seed mix, give your cockatiel fresh vegetables and greens, a little fruit and sprouted seeds. Give treats sparingly — for example Vitakraft crackers.
Switching foods
Introduce the mix gradually over one to two weeks, mixing it with the previous food. Cockatiels can be wary of new food, so make sure the bird is actually eating.
Storage
Store the food somewhere dry and cool in a tightly closed bag or jar. Check for any mouldy smell or insects before feeding.
Compared with other foods
For cockatiels there's also Vitakraft Menu for cockatiels and Special One for medium parrots. Other Karmeo foods: for chinchillas and for hamsters. All bird foods are in the bird food section.
Who it suits
Cockatiel owners who want a complete food with fewer fatty seeds, natural calcium from oyster shell and unusual ingredients such as eucalyptus leaf and papaya.
Verdict
Vitapol Karmeo for cockatiels is a complete 29-component seed mix with fruit and alfalfa extrudates, oyster shell, eucalyptus leaf and papaya, with fewer fatty seeds. The downsides are that the site gives no analysis or feeding guide, and it still contains sunflower, peanuts and soya flour.
FAQ
Which birds is it for?
Cockatiels.
How many components?
29.
Why oyster shell?
It's a natural calcium source for feathers, bones and claws.
What's unusual in the recipe?
Eucalyptus leaf, papaya powder and alfalfa meal.
Is it a complete food?
Yes, according to the manufacturer.
Is an analysis given?
No.
How much does the pack weigh?
500 g.
