My baby GCC loves Safflower seeds only

[Johnic]

So the breeder told me he's been eating a mix of safflower and fruit blend zupreem. I just got him and I've mixed the safflower seed mix with the zupreem and he leaves the zupreem fruit mix and just picks out the safflower seeds.
He does like fresh cut apples and cauliflower but how can I get him the eat a healthier pellet?

 

[Flboy]

What a cute little guy!
Have a separate play area with treat cups. This is how I always introduce stuff to my JoJo.
Also, I am not a big fan on mixing dry foods. Would you want the same granola day after day?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Here's my story...

Harrison's Bird Foods
I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.
Another couple of ideas...
My ol' man is an athlete and health nut. He actually EATS all the good stuff, so it's always around. I find that tossing various stuff into the food bowls at random is good... the variations and differences seem to stimulate curiosity and attention.
The other idea... if you can stand it (lol) EAT the stuff in front of the birds, yes. That encourages them. I have also found that if my ol' man eats stuff in front of the bird, the bird WANTS it for himself. Kinda a rivalry thing!

 

[Johnic]

He’s 3 months old. Is he too young or too early to convert?

 

[Jen5200]

Have you tried just giving him pellets without the seeds? I know that mine will pick out all the seeds first - guaranteed! I’d also take advantage of the fact that he seems to like cauliflower and apples - see if you can get him eating other veggies as well? Chop is a favorite for my conures

 

[Carl_Power]

Now is a good time to convert. Just keep feeding pellets, fruit n veg and seeds as treats for training. Use his love of seeds to your advantage x

 

[Johnic]

I’m trying the 15 min twice a day routine. I feel bad, he flys over to his cup and noticed the pellets and doesn’t eat and flys away. He’s hungry.

 

[Jen5200]

Have you tried soaking the pellets? Sometimes unsweetened juice works as an incentive. Mine like pellets after they’ve dunked them in water for some reason.

 

[Johnic]

Have you tried soaking the pellets? Sometimes unsweetened juice works as an incentive. Mine like pellets after they’ve dunked them in water for some reason.

Trying it now.

 

[asagiyuu]

This is actually also how I introduce new toys to my GCC. As a baby she looks to me as her mom to decide what is safe and what isn't and she's very timid so when it comes to new food or new toys to play with, if she sees me handling them then she becomes curious. Praising her also seems to be pretty effective.

 

[Johnic]

Update. Thanks for advice, the combo of all the above worked. DiDi the gcc is loving the zupreem fruit pellets. He's eating all the different colors. What really helped was hand feeding him a few and then he caught on. He wipes them all out and uses he little feet to feed himself.

 

[Jen5200]

Congrats! I was hoping you’d update and that he’d catch on

 

[Johnic]

Question. He’s eating 1/4 cup of the pellets by the afternoon. Is this ok? I then feed him some seeds and veg and fruit. What’s wild. The pellets are gone by 2pm.

 

[Carl_Power]

Thats great news if he is eating all his pellets. Always have them in his bowl because they are so good and healthy and will prolong his lifespan by years. Its his main diet. Sounds like everything is great diet wise so good job.

When he is more trained you can weigh him every day or 2 and then if he is a little over weight just cut down on the seeds coz they are high in fat.

Also try find something he really likes to eat to use as just training treats. The seeds would work great if he is eating all his pellets. He wont need seeds anymore i dont think but im not 100% sure on the Conure diet x

 

[GhostN1K]

My GCC does the exact same thing. I am going to try all of the great ideas to get him to try something new. Thanks so much

 

[LordTriggs]

converting early is always good, I will say Zupreem whilst not the healthiest isn't exactly bad for them, maybe controversial but I'd prefer a happier bird on the second or third best diet as opposed to a bird on the healthiest diet who doesn't enjoy their food

 

[Carl_Power]

Try the sweetcorn on the cob. the small ones. Xander loves it but will only eat it on the cob which is weird. Its fun for them pulling them off and fighting a little for food x

 

[GhostN1K]

Still working on him eating pellets. He is very stubborn! I'm going to stay with it. Only fruit he seems to like is grapes. I've tried everything. Love's carrots, lettuce and grapes. Won't even try anything else. any other ideas to help?

 

[Lin51]

Hi am a new member,we have a blue Quaker he loves all the fruit and veg.night time he has a small mixed seed if he wants it. He is 4 this year.we now have a bcc just 7 months old.hes taken to the same foods and mix.they also have good pellets both prefare it as powder form mixed in their food

 

[Lin51]

I make chop for mine and they enjoy it so easy for me to make and frezze them.glad I looked threw the forum and you tube on how to make it and have the pellets.great help for me so I can play with them longer