Cockatiel weight loss

jls · Feb 2, 2014

My Cockatiel is not eating seeds because he is an old bird (29 years old), my avian vet said
the seeds are to hard for him to eat. I have tried cracking the seeds but he really doesnt eat them.

Today he dropped 2 gm, he is now at 85.5gm ... :-(

His avian vet said try cinnamon oatmeal, he didnt like it … he also suggested ground cinnamon oatmeal on his seeds, he has been eating them … but they must be getting more difficult for him to chew.

Ive been thinking about softened pellets, he used to eat Harrison’s pellets, hot sure about this ... how to get him to eat it …

Any thoughts on what I might feed my old buddy ?

Thanks

thekarens · Feb 2, 2014

You can soak the pellets in juice. You can also mash up a sweet potato and add other mashed veggies in it.

MikeyTN · Feb 2, 2014

Have you tried using a food processor to grind up fruits and vegetables for him?

Yes you can soak the pellets for him to eat, just make sure you replace it often as it can go bad rather quickly. Perhaps try some baby formula? How long have you had him??? I would love to see a picture of him.

Niner10Tango · Feb 2, 2014

First, I must congratulate you on having a cockatiel at 29 years old. I do agree with MikeyTN in regards to the baby formula. I hope you get a chance to post a picture, I would love to see him.

jls · Feb 2, 2014

an older pic that I like ...

MikeyTN · Feb 2, 2014

What a handsome 29 year young cockatiel! He is showing his age....how long have you had him???

thekarens · Feb 2, 2014

Very handsome!

jls · Feb 2, 2014

He was given to me after my sisters could not stand his loud screeches ... lol ... 28 years ago ...

jls · Feb 3, 2014

RavensGryf · Feb 4, 2014

Aww, he's so sweet!!

If he was eating Harrison's before, chances are he still likes the flavor, so as Karen said, soften with fruit juice. It will be soft and give him some good nutrition that he needs right now. Give it a try.

Let us know how it works out! Good luck.

jls · Feb 4, 2014

RavensGryf said:
Aww, he's so sweet!!

If he was eating Harrison's before, chances are he still likes the flavor, so as Karen said, soften with fruit juice. It will be soft and give him some good nutrition that he needs right now. Give it a try.

Let us know how it works out! Good luck.

He is still eating seeds kinda, Im hoping to augment seed with Harrisons or something ...

Thanks

Nakiska · Feb 4, 2014

WOW! How proud you must be to have such a handsome boy for 28 years! I hope I will get the chance to share my life with our FIDS just as long. That's truly awesome!

I don't know about your guy, but my tiels absolutely LOVE butternut squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli and pasta...all steamed or boiled to complete mush.

Good Luck - and give him a scritch and a "sucha good boy" nuzzle and kiss from Toni

jls · Feb 6, 2014

Nakiska, how much of your birds diet is "mush" ? is it the consistency of oatmeal or cream of wheat ?

His weight is OK today, down a little from yesterday ...
Corkey's urates and urine were yellowish yesterday, witch probably mean his other kidney is going bad, his avian vet said this could happen, the Gout is progressing.

crimson · Feb 6, 2014

WOW! 29 years is amazing!...you've done a fantastic job giving him such a long life.

maybe Harrisons mash might work. I'm sure it tastes the same as the pellets(?)idk...
the other thing you could try is buying a small coffee grinder, and grind the seed.

I had to do this for my cockatiel Num Num when he broke his beak. I hand fed him, but also gave him the ground up seed while his beak was on the mend.

it did a fantastic job!....for about $20.00

lisascannell · Feb 6, 2014

What an absolute cutie!!

jls · Feb 20, 2014

Corkeys weight is up to 90.4gm today, he has been at that weight for 3 days ...
His poop ia a normal color too ...
Can not get him to eat pellets, no matter what ...

lisascannell · Feb 20, 2014

Oh wow that is such a sweet looking cockatiel!!

Girl4Jesus83 · Feb 25, 2014

In trying to introduce pellet to my 15yo tiel I rescued, every morning in a large jar lid I mix 1tsp seed with 1tsp ground pellet and add a tiny bit of water. It ends up being like a moist seed cake. It took two weeks and now he eats it like a champ. I found grinding the pellets into a powder (food processor) was much more accepting for him. Maybe this would work for your old timer.

Girl4Jesus83 · Feb 25, 2014

PS Your guy is like the Sean Connery of the avain world - handsome now matter what his age

Nakiska · Feb 25, 2014

jls said:
Nakiska, how much of your birds diet is "mush" ? is it the consistency of oatmeal or cream of wheat ?

His weight is OK today, down a little from yesterday ...
Corkey's urates and urine were yellowish yesterday, witch probably mean his other kidney is going bad, his avian vet said this could happen, the Gout is progressing.

I'm sorry, I didn't see your question until today! Grrrr...

Anyway, I'd say my tiels like their "mush" stuff the consistency of oatmeal/mashed potatoes. I offer pasta/veggies/fruits every day buffet style and they eat as much as their heart desires.

How is your guy doing lately?? Any new pic's you could share?

:grey:

Cockatiel weight loss

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my new female cockatiel- Ms.no name, lol.

Bruski the 'tiel accepted requested scritches for the first time today!

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