Jasper new diet, pellet strictly. need advice

Okay so Jasper went to avariy he looks well and is about 15 years old not 10!!! The vet said that he was too used to eating nuts and seeds only. Which is why I think he threw his food bowl the other day, and is causing a vitaim A defiencey and E if i remeber correctly. I have a separate dish for him for veggies, and a slice of Orange, learned that he will not eat banans, and do not know why.

It may take him a while to switch over to a healthier diet of pellets and fresh things, but be persistent! Also, if he rejects something once, go ahead and offer it again. Just like little kids, sometimes birds need to be exposed to something a few times before they decide they like it or not. Or try cutting it into different shapes/mashing into different textures. Another cool way to get your bird interested in fresh foods is to hang a skewer in their cage with big chunks of fruit and vegetables on it - that way it's both food and a toy at the same time.

It is challenging to change the diet of an Amazon who has been on seeds for many years, but it is possible and important. Good for you for taking this on!

My parrot lived on seeds for 20+ years, but we did successfully convert him to pellets. That was a long time ago, and you should search the archives here and google for tips on making the transition. Since he has just undergone a big change moving in with you, I wouldn't try to cut him off the seeds immediately; instead, I would try a slower transition. But you should ask people who have recently done that for advice.

As far as getting him to eat more veggies and fruits, three things: First, I agree with ImmunoGoblin to try different shapes, varieties, and cooking methods. My parrot, for example, would eat some things, like kale, raw, but other things had to be cooked. And some things that you would think a parrot would like (e.g., mango and papaya) he just wouldn't touch.

Second, parrots are very social creatures, and my parrot would try things if I ate them with him. So whenever I ate at home, I'd always have some parrot appropriate food that I would give him at the same time. Or if I was just feeding him, I would have a bit of the food at the same time. Of course, you shouldn't feed him junk, so if you are subsisting on potato chips and KFC, this won't work, but if you have a reasonably heathy diet, sharing some of your healthy food will encourage him to try new things. But there are some foods that are not good to share with parrots: chocolate, avocados, alcohol, mushrooms should never be given. Fried food, dairy, meat, food with lots of yeast (e.g., bread) and salty food should also be avoided. Also, you shouldn't bite off a piece of food to give to your parrot--apparently some bacteria in our saliva are bad for parrots. Finally, you shouldn't leave fresh food in his cup for more than a couple of hours; after that it may grow mold that could be dangerous to your bird.

Third, and somewhat controversially, I sometimes added a bit of olive oil to my parrot's fresh vegetables. I probably wouldn't do that until Jasper is off a seed-based diet. Too much fat is very bad for them. But a little bit of olive oil, on occasion, did make the veggies more attractive to my parrot, and may, in very small amounts!, be good for birds.

Finally, when giving fresh fruits and veggies, I would recommend organic, if possible. At the very least, try to either buy organic, or just don't buy, fruits and vegetables with a high pesticide load. Here is one list:

The Dirty Dozen - Foods You Should Always Buy Organic

Good luck!

LeoJasperZon said:

Okay so Jasper went to avariy he looks well and is about 15 years old not 10!!! The vet said that he was too used to eating nuts and seeds only. Which is why I think he threw his food bowl the other day, and is causing a vitaim A defiencey and E if i remeber correctly. I have a separate dish for him for veggies, and a slice of Orange, learned that he will not eat banans, and do not know why.

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You can not tell a parrot's age by looking!!!! Unless they're really old then some signs will show. At 10 or 15, it's impossible to determine unless you have the hatching certificate. IF the avian vet told you he's 15 not 10 then he is rather wrong on that without knowing anything.

It's NOT surprising they don't like certain fresh food you feed him cause it will take time to change over, you can't expect it to change over right away thinking your feeding something that they should like. They're like people, they have their likes and dislikes.

There are things you can do to encourage them eating healthier but you must for consistent and persistent. The moment you give in, they win! But I wouldn't try to force any changes right away, depending on how long you've had him. I usually wait a month before making any changes.

I start out by putting a bowl of pellets all day everyday. Then in the morning I feed fresh fruits and veggies mixed. (Use food processor if you must as some parrots prefer that way). In the evening I feed a tablespoon full of seeds. Next day I repeat the process until you see him start eating the pellets, stop the seeds all together. No treats/nuts during this period until he's fully converted so wait about a month or so before offering treats or nuts again, but in small amount, just like a few pieces.

Yes keep rotating fruit and veggies for him. When I got Buddy, I put mango in his bowl. He's thrown it out several times. Today I gave him mango and I watched him throw it out this morning. So I'm taking it off his menu along with broccoli. You are doing great!!!

Taw5106 said:

Yes keep rotating fruit and veggies for him. When I got Buddy, I put mango in his bowl. He's thrown it out several times. Today I gave him mango and I watched him throw it out this morning. So I'm taking it off his menu along with broccoli. You are doing great!!!

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Just switched to pellet today, and I am rotating dishes around his cage, but now I think he learning what I am doing. And I leave all nuts out except for almonds because he hates trying to open them. As far my mixture I set up for him Zupreem pellets, 1/2 cup, and tablespoon of seed. His veggies consist of small amounts of banana s, apple slices, and brocli and carrots. He loves loves carrots!! That I figured out as well, he eats those first.

Thanks sunny! Well the diet change went successful didn't even have to do much, so now I don't rotate the dishes, he doesn't throw them over anymore. He gets a small amount of seeds "tablespoon" and about 1/2 cup of pellets, he gets carrots in the afternoon, but he doesn't like broccoli or bananas lol. He will eat apple and cherries without the pit of course. But I have to say this, feeding your birds mesh of corn and yeast is bad and not good for the birds. Especially triscits you mentioned, I may be be a new amazon owner, but salty food are bad for parrots! and some foods have artificial flavoring and coloring etc... But unknown about colored food dyes now, the fda believes red, and yellow colors can be toxic to humans. And corn has no nutritional value except when it is very fresh picked.

LeoJasperZon said:

Thanks sunny! Well the diet change went successful didn't even have to do much, so now I don't rotate the dishes, he doesn't throw them over anymore. He gets a small amount of seeds "tablespoon" and about 1/2 cup of pellets, he gets carrots in the afternoon, but he doesn't like broccoli or bananas lol. He will eat apple and cherries without the pit of course. But I have to say this, feeding your birds mesh of corn and yeast is bad and not good for the birds. Especially triscits you mentioned, I may be be a new amazon owner, but salty food are bad for parrots! and some foods have artificial flavoring and coloring etc... But unknown about colored food dyes now, the fda believes red, and yellow colors can be toxic to humans. And corn has no nutritional value except when it is very fresh picked.

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And yes he eats all the pellets woot!