Diet

[Sarah1260]

Hello I have been feeding Rocka zupreem and just switched to roudybush there's no problems with we eating pellets but she won't eat any fresh fruits or veggies

 

[Blueridge]

Well pellets are very healthy, so that's good. A good way to get your bird to eat things that it doesn't like is for YOU to eat the food as well. Sometimes this can be nasty if you're trying to get him to eat pellets or something, but hey fruits and vegetables aren't bad. I cut up apples and eat them with my bird. He sees me eat it and so he wants to eat some because they want to eat what their flock mates are eating. It's fun too! But don't feed your bird a peace of fruit that is covered in your slobber because birds can sick from the bacteria in human saliva. Okay well that's about it; good luck!

 

[Sarah1260]

Well pellets are very healthy, so that's good. A good way to get your bird to eat things that it doesn't like is for YOU to eat the food as well. Sometimes this can be nasty if you're trying to get him to eat pellets or something, but hey fruits and vegetables aren't bad. I cut up apples and eat them with my bird. He sees me eat it and so he wants to eat some because they want to eat what their flock mates are eating. It's fun too! But don't feed your bird a peace of fruit that is covered in your slobber because birds can sick from the bacteria in human saliva. Okay well that's about it; good luck!

Thank you it seems like if the food I try to give is mushy, like fruit or veggies (not old mushy but not hard like pellets) she doesn't want anything to do with it. I'll try apple since it's more crunchy.

 

[GaryBV]

Hi Sarah - I wouldn't give up on fresh fruits and vegetables though - keep trying to give them to her, hand feeding could work, hold a piece of broccoli stem first in your hand and let her nibble at the florets, or you can break up a vege or fruit in small pieces and sprinkle over the top of some pellets, and another thing you could try that is 'fresh' is soaked or sprouted seeds, my birds love them and they are packed with nutrition - if you aren't familiar search for Higgns Soak and Sprout. I also cut up Brussels sprouts leaves finely and put them on top of the pellets or seeds.

 

[Sarah1260]

Hi Sarah - I wouldn't give up on fresh fruits and vegetables though - keep trying to give them to her, hand feeding could work, hold a piece of broccoli stem first in your hand and let her nibble at the florets, or you can break up a vege or fruit in small pieces and sprinkle over the top of some pellets, and another thing you could try that is 'fresh' is soaked or sprouted seeds, my birds love them and they are packed with nutrition - if you aren't familiar search for Higgns Soak and Sprout. I also cut up Brussels sprouts leaves finely and put them on top of the pellets or seeds.

Thank you. I get worried that she doesn't get enough nutrition. The place I got her from, petco... Recommended an all seed food they had. They also didn't even know if she was clipped already or not. I saw after getting her home she was. She was quite an investment money wise and besides that I've really grown attached. I just worry about my little one nutrition wise if all else fails, are the pellets good enough without any fruits or veggies as a supplement?

 

[GaryBV]

I'm not really quite sure how to answer that question that if she only eats pellets would that be enough.... I'm sure the pellet manufacturers would say YES, and my first thought is that it would be better than an all seed diet, but my gut says that parrots need some fresh food to be in tip-top health. I hope someone with more experience with conures will reply to you. But you know what? When you are making your own dinner, give her some of whatever vegetable you are having, just make it available. I did have a lovebird that would not eat any vegetables or fruits, and it was so frustrating, and after 11 years Nico died, I was his third owner and I had no idea how old he really was, but I didn't know anything about soaked seeds or sprouting seeds at that time, I'm so much more knowledgeable now. Don't give up, birds are ridiculously stubborn, and in the end, it will pay off health wise for your bird.

 

[Sarah1260]

Thanks again. My only previous bird owning experience was a ring neck dove. I had her for 10 years. She are only seeds never anything else. I know their life expectancy is less than conures but I was still surprised she lived so long.

 

[GaryBV]

Wow, I'd say 10 years is a nice long time for a dove. I would add tho that the diet of a wild dove would be very different than a parrots. I think doves swallow seed whole, and as a result require grit to help them digest it - parrots do not.

 

[MonicaMc]

I've heard doves can live up to 20 years, but I've never kept them so I really don't know!


Perhaps this might be of some help?

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[jenphilly]

We are dealing with a bird new to the house that won't eat fruits or veggies. She is almost 4 and we don't think she's ever seen a fresh anything before coming to live with us. I can't tell you how much money we've wasted trying to find something she likes or will eat. My only advice to you is to just keep trying, sooner or later they will find something!! Only thing Ivory really likes is corn on the cob and while we feed it, its not something that should be a daily feed. If you get the large leafy greens, sorta thread or weave them thru the cage bars, Ivory did at least pick at it, even if she did not eat what I would have liked, her interacting with it was a win at that point!! Collard and chard is great for this. She was on a fresh string bean kick for a while, she stole one while I was cutting ends to make cabbage and string beans for dinner, so when I'm trying to get her to try things, sometimes I'll put it on a plate and sit on the sofa like I'm eating it (or I do eat a piece) and I'll let her think she sneaks in and steals a piece. Bird psychology I guess!!

My daughter's conures love frozen veggie mix (no lima beans tho). We don't cook it, just let it sit in hot water for a few minutes. The frozen veggies are good for trying different things, whatever you're making for dinner for yourself, pull out a few pieces of whatever. Never know what will be a hit!!

Good luck and keep trying

 

[Sarah1260]

I found a dried fruit mix at the pet store that she loves. It looks like trail mix, a friend actually ate some not knowing it was for the bird lol. It's a start I suppose

 

[MagegrayWolf]

You could try my recipe for bird muffins. I used baby food as the key ingredient (which was just a puree veggie and water base) I have the recipe posted here.

 

[babyface]

I had a maroon bellied conure who at almost nothing but pellets for 17 years. When I got him, that's what the pet store told me to feed. Said I could give fresh food as "treats" from time to time, but that it wasn't necessary. Although 17 years is a pretty long time, my bird died of liver disease, probably because his diet wasn't varied enough. I have a new conure and now I know better. He was weaned to a seed-rich diet, but I've converted him to a mix of Harrison's and Roudybush (trying to get to 100% Harrison's, but he's not really having that!) I also make sure he gets SOME seeds and a bunch of fresh food every day. I'm hoping this baby is healthier as a result.

I would try giving different types of fruits and veggies, and don't give up. What your bird won't eat today, he may gobble up tomorrow. Who knows what goes on in those little minds? Also, you might try some freeze dried stuff...it'll be crunchy, more similar to the pellets your birdie likes. Also, try some regular-style dried fruits...you can string them and hang them in the cage and maybe by playing with them, he'll get a nibble in and decide he likes them!

Good luck!

 

[Crazyformybaby]

What type of parrot is rocka?

 

[Sarah1260]

What type of parrot is rocka?

She's a sun conure

 

[kiwiS]

Maybe you can try getting fresh fruit (apples, pears, grapes) and veggies (kale, carrots, green beans, brussel sprouts) and grinding them up in a food processor. That way they are small bits, pellet sized, but still crunchy. You can try add some sweetness to that with a smushed up blueberry or strawberry. Then mix in a little bit of millet or seed - just a little. Also mix in her pellet food but just a little bit. You can add some crushed raw pasta on top for crunch.

Keep offering this type of food twice a day. You'll be wasting a lot at first, but it's worth it ^.^ Also make a big deal and pretend to eat some of it yourself ^.^

 

[Sand]

i also leave a smooth piece of fabric next to my bird when he eats, so he can clean his beak, like a dish drying cloth, and he loves my fluffy robe belt to rub his beak on after he eats soft or wet stuff