Skinny bird

Wulfgeist · Mar 30, 2012

I swear Jasper sometimes forgets to eat. I can feel his breastbone quite easily even though he's gained a bit since coming home. I have been leaving him in his cage in the morning so he will hopefully eat his breakfast without distractions. I also put him back in when I take the veg mix away and give him his pellets and goodies.

Some days it seems he eats way less than others. I keep some of his pellet mix (with Just Veggies, avicakes/nutriberries added) in the bowl on the playstand as well. I thought I saw somewhere something about baby food? Is that ok for him to have now and then? I bought a little jar of the sweet potato one to see what he would do. He took a couple bites before he lost interest and Oliver tried to take the spoon away. He *loved* it, silly cat.

It seems to me he is just like a child who would rather be playing than eating so that is why he has to stay in his cage now to eat. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Is there anything else I can try to give him to condition him up a bit? He is a busy little youngster (between naps) but I want to make sure he's getting enough to eat.

Mayden · Mar 30, 2012

Wulfgeist said:
I swear Jasper sometimes forgets to eat. I can feel his breastbone quite easily even though he's gained a bit since coming home. I have been leaving him in his cage in the morning so he will hopefully eat his breakfast without distractions. I also put him back in when I take the veg mix away and give him his pellets and goodies.

Some days it seems he eats way less than others. I keep some of his pellet mix (with Just Veggies, avicakes/nutriberries added) in the bowl on the playstand as well. I thought I saw somewhere something about baby food? Is that ok for him to have now and then? I bought a little jar of the sweet potato one to see what he would do. He took a couple bites before he lost interest and Oliver tried to take the spoon away. He *loved* it, silly cat.

It seems to me he is just like a child who would rather be playing than eating so that is why he has to stay in his cage now to eat. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Is there anything else I can try to give him to condition him up a bit? He is a busy little youngster (between naps) but I want to make sure he's getting enough to eat.

Maybe a vet visit to make sure all is well?

Baby food is usually okay as it has the whole 'no additives, no preservatives.. etcetc' I used to syringe feed Merlin with some baby food, (Our Organic Baby Food Range | HiPP Organic) he loooved all the fruity and veg ones (never tried the shepherds pie or anything like that). But I dunno if your bird will take to syringe feeding? I know Merlin prefers that than a spoon.

Does he try and eat when you're eating? Sharing your food? Because birds like to eat as a flock so if you're not eating when you're putting him in, he might not 'get' that it's dinnertime.

Safira · Mar 30, 2012

Invest in a scale with a perch so you can do weekly, or even daily weigh-ins of your bird. Since he's a baby, he's going to gain a loose a little till he settles into a good solid weight. I'm still waiting to see if my Macaw gets over 750 grams (She's a small one for a B&G!)

Knowing your birds average weight can be very important when it comes to catching hidden illnesses. When you weigh your bird try to do it befoe any big meals too.

I got a good perch and scale off Amazon.com, its digital and works perfect for my birdies.

roxynoodle · Mar 30, 2012

Nutriberries are definitely calorie packed. You could also add some nuts. Brazil nuts in particular are very oily and have a high fat content. Watch them for going bad though because of it. Keep them in the fridge and smell them first before giving him one. They will smell absolutely rancid if they are going bad.

I use baby food to get birds who hate orange veggies to eat some. It's certainly safe for birds.

If he likes your food, perhaps some grains like spaghetti with tomato sauce or whole grain bread added to his diet. You could give him some cooked chicken or beans for extra protein. Merlin loves gnawing on chicken bones.

Wulfgeist · Mar 30, 2012

He was eating the food off the spoon fine, it was a stage 2 so it was puree and not too solid. I just gave him more and he ate alot more this time. I suppose I could more economically just buy these things and cook them. I'm not a sweet potato lover myself. I'm not a real big veggie fan for that matter. I eat alot of meals here at my computer desk so he does beg when I sit and eat and will eat his food if I am eating.

I also set up the webcam to catch Oliver at this begging. This cat *wants* this stuff. It must smell like crack or something. Check the off topic for his needy "barking".

roxynoodle · Mar 30, 2012

I have the same situation with not being able to eat veggies anymore, so mostly I buy frozen ones for the birds and steam them in the microwave. I even found some organic pureed squash last week and they loved that. It was pretty much like baby food.

Pedro · Mar 30, 2012

In a healthy bird, you will be able to feel the keel but it will appear well-padded on both sides. A thin bird has a keel that feels sharp and prominent. An obese bird's keel will feel even with surrounding tissue, and may even have an indent where the keel would be felt because of fat layers on either side.

Do you ever sprout a seed mix for him, my youngsters go crazy over them.

Sprouting For Parrots

Wulfgeist · Apr 1, 2012

Ok have a scale on order along with a java table stand. Had to get free shipping and both items were on sale..

At this point in time until he settles in and is eating properly more or less consistantly should I weigh him like every morning before I feed him? He was picking around at his pellets here and there. I might have to cut back the other goodies in there..the Just Veggies and Avicakes because it seems he just picks out the goodies and leaves the pellets. Silly boy.

Skinny bird

Wulfgeist

New member

Mayden

New member

Safira

New member

roxynoodle

New member

Wulfgeist

New member

roxynoodle

New member

Pedro

New member

Wulfgeist

New member

Looking for avian vet along I81 in PA/MD/WV

Safe cleaners?

Most Reactions

Similar threads

Latest posts