Pixie is so picky!

mnkeastman

New member
Jan 6, 2012
509
2
Parrots
Pixie-White Capped Pionus
Ok so I was told my the breeder she was used to some fruit everyday depending on what he had on hand and in addition to her pellets she ate a mixed veggies combo (lima beans, carrots, peas,corn,greens).

So since she has came home I have tried to get her to eat these items but not a lot of luck so far.

She will willingly eat apples, peaches, pears, and her pellets.

She has refused to eat green beans, peas (in pod and out), sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, bananas, spinach leaves, romaine lettuce, cucumbers,walnuts, almonds, peanuts, mango, banana dried chips, and strawberries.

I have also chopped up the above veggies and put them in a birdie bread with some fruit juice and crushed almonds hoping it would tempt her but no dice. I have tried to serve them raw, cooked, and mashed up.

I am at a loss as to what to try now to get her to vary her fruits and to eat some veggies. I don't want her to exist on her Zupreem (it is the nutrient and mineral plain kind not the colored.)

Any ideas?
 

luvmytooo

New member
Dec 22, 2011
1,914
1
New York
Parrots
*Yoshi* Goffins Cockatoo
* Rosie*Rose Breasted Galah
*Stella*Hyacinth Macaw
*Baby*Catalina Macaw

*Multiple Parakeets*
I got Yoshi to eat soft carrots and other veggies when made it warm.
I also made some oatmeal for him and mixed in some hard boiled egg with the soft carrots . He ate everything ! lol. Seems like he loves things warm :)
Maybe try some veggie or fruit organic baby food ? Have you tried the peas cooked ?
Sometimes they just arent attracted to some things unless they try it warm and soft .
Now , he tried the apples and banana , and some nuts. Just pick a couple of ingredients and either crush them up a little or mash them , mix with somthing warm or just add some warm water to make a mash. Just like with kids , you need to be creative :)
 

lene1949

New member
Sep 26, 2011
1,701
1
Brisbane, Australia
Parrots
Cory: Short billed Corella -
Echo: Galah -
Max: Alexandrine -
Skye: Yellow Sided conure -
Luka: Green Cheek Conure -
RIP Shrek: Quaker
I put my vegies and fruit on a stick for my birds (a ball screws on top) and just hang it in the cage... It's a natural way for birds to eat, and they tend to eat it all on the stick, whereas if I put it into a bowl, they just pick out the fruits.
 
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mnkeastman

mnkeastman

New member
Jan 6, 2012
509
2
Parrots
Pixie-White Capped Pionus
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I put my vegies and fruit on a stick for my birds (a ball screws on top) and just hang it in the cage... It's a natural way for birds to eat, and they tend to eat it all on the stick, whereas if I put it into a bowl, they just pick out the fruits.

Thats a cool idea, I will have to find one of those, I will try anything at this point.

Edited to add: found one on mysafebirdstore, I will give it a shot :)
 
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roxynoodle

New member
Dec 1, 2011
4,499
2
KBEquine and I have discussed this a couple of times and we both agree when we have gotten new birds they never eat the stuff for us their former owners told us they like, lol!

I would continue giving it to her. She may be reluctant to eat it in a new home, or it's that we prepare the foods differently than the previous person. ??

The presentation maybe needs to be different like Lene suggested.

What has helped me with some birds is to eat it in front of them and then hand them pieces. Last night I got Pete to eat rice for the first time by showing him over and over and telling him, "umm, so good!" Rowdy will eat anything she sees me eating. You might also let her be on the table with you and the family while you are eating. Although don't be surprised if she decides to climb into one of your plates. I don't recommend doing it with spaghetti, lol!
 

luvmytooo

New member
Dec 22, 2011
1,914
1
New York
Parrots
*Yoshi* Goffins Cockatoo
* Rosie*Rose Breasted Galah
*Stella*Hyacinth Macaw
*Baby*Catalina Macaw

*Multiple Parakeets*
I used to let my Amazon eat from my plate all the time. Then he had his own spot and plate at the table. He ate EVERYTHING ! lolol.
 

HalfInsane

New member
Dec 23, 2011
420
0
British Columbia, Canada
Parrots
Pixel: female senegal, hatched Dec 15, 2011
Eating the foods you want her to try in front her might help. Also, try preparing them differently. Cooked, raw, grated, chopped, whole, blended, minced, on a skewers, wrapped in paper, you name it. Birds also like having choices; offer more than one kind of new food at once so she can choose what she tries.

I'm fortunate that Pixel is a little garborator (sp?). She'll eat pretty much anything. But if she seems to not want to try something, I always mix it with yam, because she hates yam, making the other option more preferable lol
 

lexx510

New member
Mar 13, 2011
812
1
Bay Area, CA
Parrots
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
Another member here chopped up veggies along with his parrot's favorite fruits and mashed them all together. This definitely worked for Guava as well. I used broccoli, carrots, apples, and berries and she ate the majority. She'd previously turn her head to just about any vegetable.
 

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