Are Strawberries OK?

[guesswhokatysue]

I have some Strawberries and I don't want to feed them to Maverick if they will hurt him! I have been told that berries are ok, but I just like to be sure.

Here's a little update too..it's been about 24 hours since I got him and he seems to be adjusting well! He has a nice big cage with plenty of toys. He was sitting on the top (it's a small play gym) watching my mom mow the lawn. He seems like a fearless little guy! He nips a little, but it almost seems more like a curious/tasting nip than a "you've scared me/angered me" nip. He is a pro at "step up" . I think he might be not a fan of the dark, when I turned the light out he squawked a bit, but settled down really fast! He also waited for me to uncover his cage this morning before making noise, so that was a definite relief too. So that is our first day together, so far so good!

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Strawberries are great!

The only problem I ever have with feeding strawberries is ....THE MESS!!!!!!

As for the dark, both of my babies are the same in that they will squawk a bit as soon as I turn off the light and then settle down pretty quickly. I think it's more of a "but I don't want to go to be now" thing. Enjoy your baby, I know I have enjoyed mine!

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thanks I will see if he is interested in strawberries! I think that it must be cute to watch them make the mess..maybe not so much when it's time to clean it up though

I have a suspicion that he will not be immediately into the fruits/veggies since he was a pet store bird that didn't get them (that I saw). At least he was on a mixed seed/pellet diet...I still think he is a seed junkie though haha. We will work to break that habit but for now we are just glad he is seemingly a happy little guy! I am also glad that our first night went pretty smooth.

I think you're right about the dark thing too. It's like aww mom come onnn. haha It's kind of cute..probably because it doesn't go on for very long.

 

[friedsoup]

yep cover the walls they love to sling their strawberries and that will stain the walls , really just be careful of the seeds in apples pears and the like.
Hey you might try Brocoili slaw it's cheap pound bag is like $1.70 it brocoili and carrots sliced thin in straws good for them and they will have fun with it.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

I'll have to look for that at the store! That could be fun, and colorful!

 

[artemis]

I LOVE broccoli slaw! It's so easy to feed, colorful, nutritious, and my birds love it. Shredded carrot and shredded red cabbage are great, too. All those premade salad fixings are great for busy parrot keepers (not least because you can buy them in small bags that can be used up before they spoil).

Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries all stain like the dickens, but I think that may be one of the reasons birds like them. The best foods in their eyes are the ones which make the biggest mess! :-D. (FYI if you ever decide to feed cherries, pit them first. Cherry pits are poisonous.)

 

[AVM]

It's cute to see them eat a strawberrie! lol I hope he likes them!

 

[wenz2712]

Codie also loves Strawberries, but I agree they make lots of mess with them

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Well, last night he wasn't too interested. It COULD be a mix of the fact that I'm still a new person so why should he trust the foods I give him and the fact that he isn't too familiar with fruits (which is GOING to change). I will try a variety of fruit too...my next attempt will be blueberries (I LOVE BLUEBERRIES!) so we can share. The brocolli slaw will be next simply because having the color might help him say hey let me try this. I have some tricks up my sleeve yet!

 

[MacawGuy]

i know a lot bird that love strawberries. My macaw will pick and choose when he wants some or not

 

[guesswhokatysue]

The more I spend time with Maverick the more I can see him doing that. Being fussy when he wants to be. Here's a question I've been curious about: people say that you can give birds pasta...what KIND of pasta is safe? (not like macaroni or spagetti, but does it have to be made with certain things? I know some pastas are cheap and I'm not sure if that would hurt Mave).

 

[artemis]

100% whole wheat pasta is best, because it is the most nutritious.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

The best way I have found to get my babies interested into carious foods it to get my shoulders down at the counter height and and and bring the birds and food close to me. Then I act all stupid and make lots of messy noises as I take little bites out of one item at a time. Usually it doesn't take long for them to come in close to share in the goodies. I'm sure it can look pretty silly!

On the subject of pasta, since I'm not much of a real cook, I love (as do my birds) [ame="http://www.amazon.com/LAvian-Plus-Bean-Cuisine-Lb/dp/B001LDMZCQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1339859804&sr=1-5&keywords=L%27Avian+Plus+Bean+Cuisine"]Amazon.com: L'Avian Plus Bean Cuisine 1 Lb: Pet Supplies[/ame] . Just toss 1 cup into boiling water and when water returns to a boil turn off the heat and let cool to room temperature. Then I scoop into ice cube trays, cover in plastic wrap and freeze. Once frozen I pop them out like cubes and put info a freezer bag. To serve, microwave for 18 - 21 seconds. I like to add some green leaf, kale, sweet peppers, celery and maybe cucumber. It only take about two minutes of prep time to make them a great, healthy dinner.

Here is another good one with the same genera preparation and loved by my babies: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=6216&cmpid=04cseaz&ref=4144&subref=AA

 

[kksdad]

Our Hahns will eat strawberries, raspberries and blackberries while our Grey won't touch them. Both love cherries.

 

[guesswhokatysue]

Thanks! I will try both of those sites. The girl at the pet store did say to check out the drsfosterandsmith.com one. She said it had some good deals on food so you aren't paying a super expensive store price.

I will also try the whole wheat pasta (it's better for us too I suppose haha).

I will still have to try a variation of fruits, I have heard cherries a lot, so I will definitely give that a try as well. Only having had Mave for a couple days doesn't help knowing his likes and dislikes too much.

I like the idea of being messy with him! I bet he'd get a kick out of it, and maybe give something good for him a try! I'm sure my vet will have some good tips too. I just love this forum because it's so helpful to know these things when you have the question! I am starting a list of foods for Mave (that are safe) and will go back and make an asterisk next to the ones he really likes, so if we ever have to have someone bird sit they will be able t know what's good and what's not .