My CAG doesn't like seed, WTH

DRB

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Jan 23, 2016
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Perjo - Female CAG hatch Nov 2015
Perjo gets a nice diet of two kinds of pellets and fresh veggies, some fruites and birdie bread. I have a handful of treats she gets added to a meal or for rewards like cashews, almonds, sunflower kernels, whole wheat pasta, teeny tiny pieces of tortilla chip, some chicken to name a few.

I recently started to introduce her to seeds, in a bowl, and she will not touch them. I'm amazed considerin how many other parrots eat seeds. She has eaten seeds on a stick in the past, but now she will not eat them as loose seed.

Anyone else have a CAG that doesn't like tasty seeds?
 

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
My gcc also has no idea what to do with seeds I've given him a sunflower seed as a treat and he broke open the seed and kep playing with the shell, but hey...free sunflower seed for me....I don't even buy them anymore except for the outside birds and chipmunks.
 

Teddscau

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Sep 25, 2015
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Budgies: Sunshine, Blanco, Azure; Peach-faced lovebirds: Rosie and Jaybird; YSA: Jasper (♀)
Unless exposed to seed from a young age, many species wouldn't have a clue what to do with the stuff. The only exception to this would likely be Australian species (budgies, cockatoos, rosellas, grass parakeets, etc.), as they're hard-wired to eat seed. Their beaks are designed exactly for this purpose. Meanwhile, greys are more of a generalist, and their beaks and body shape reflects such.

If you want her to eat seed, I suggest sprouting it for less than 48 hours first, then offering it up. Just be aware that food poisoning is a thing with sprouts.
 

Tami2

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Aug 18, 2017
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Levi - 6 yr old CAG

DOH-4/2/2016
Hi,

In the 15 months that I’ve had Levi, I have purchased many different seed mixes for him. Mostly AG (size) appropriate. He never ate them.
He will eat raw orangic sunflower seeds from my hand though.
The only seed mix he likes is Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend - Conure. It smells amazing. However, since my Vet educated me on what to feed him, I’ve pulled it back and only give it as a treat.
 

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
from what I got from here there are a few birds that need seeds, but most, are better with pellets, if your bird doesn't want seeds, it's akin to a three year old not wanting candy, a good thing.
 

Teddscau

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Sep 25, 2015
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Budgies: Sunshine, Blanco, Azure; Peach-faced lovebirds: Rosie and Jaybird; YSA: Jasper (♀)
from what I got from here there are a few birds that need seeds, but most, are better with pellets, if your bird doesn't want seeds, it's akin to a three year old not wanting candy, a good thing.

Assuming they're used to eating a variety of foods and are willing to try new things, I believe in listening to what your bird says about their diet. Obviously, get an understanding of their natural ecosystem, the niche they occupy, and the foods they eat in the wild. It's also important to have a basic understanding of their dietary requirements in captivity, nutritional diseases they're prone to, etc. However, I also think it's important to watch what they eat, as they tend to have a basic understanding of what their bodies need. However, make sure they aren't just pigging out on certain things because they're addicted to them, otherwise you'll run into trouble.

For example, my budgies have made it clear that they need to have millet in their diet. They don't eat it just because they think it tastes good, but because they seem to have some sort of biological or instinctual NEED for it. Obviously, they eat veggies, pellets, and other foods too, but they definitely need to eat millet too. And when it comes to my kākāriki, despite being fed a terrible diet prior to adopting them, they make it clear that they need lots of leafy greens in their diet (specifically, superfoods like spinach, chard, dandelion greens, etc.), as well as high fat and high protein foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, and birdie bread. Noah eats pretty much everything. But when it comes to eating veggies, he's very specific about what parts he eats, which undoubtedly reflect his species' unique diet in desert-like ecosystems. He also actively hunts bugs (confused flour beetles, aphids, spiders), which is definitely interesting.
 

clark_conure

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Jul 14, 2017
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
I ddon't disagree with anything you posted.....but.....pellets are...assumedly the best mix for whatever particular species they optimize for. There are some breeds that are I dunno what you would call it ...."seed based" where that is better for them. There are a few breeds seeds are better.

Also about birds picking thier diet...my bird would eat Popsicles everyday if I wasn't like no! pizza and hamburgers first. and even that is them picking human food over better conure food. Now I indulge, but only with healthy food.
 

Teddscau

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Sep 25, 2015
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Budgies: Sunshine, Blanco, Azure; Peach-faced lovebirds: Rosie and Jaybird; YSA: Jasper (♀)
Yeah, no, definitely none of those unhealthy processed foods! I can picture Noah trying to eat a popsicle, but he'd mainly just want to tear it apart and fling it everywhere (that's why my birds aren't allowed to have pomegranates or prickly pear anymore). Even if I offered my birds juice and ice cream, they'd just stick their tongues in it, then run off to eat pellets and veggies. However, it should be noted that my birds rarely ever see me eating (unless I'm eating birdie bread or something to get them to try it), so their dietary preferences aren't influenced by seeing their mommy eating.

And when it comes to certain foods, they enjoy them, but they'll only eat them maybe once a week by their own choice. When I put apple in for them, they'll nibble on it and enjoy it, but if I put it in the next day, or even a few days later, they won't touch it. And although oranges are sweet, the might only have a small bite out of it once or twice a year, because they only want to have it that often. Although, Noah enjoys eating the peel. They also enjoy carrots, but they'll only eat them a few days a week.
 

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