New member with new bird.

[Chantilly]

I think I have to work on my photo posting.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi lovely to see your new addition. He certainly sounds wilful LOL. Tip: load his cage up with toys, keep him active and enjoying himself in his cage and hopefully this will lessen his desire to leave. We have some wonderful homemade toys put up on this forum, Allee and Marileen have made wonderful things for their birds to destroy. Really pleased he isn't adverse to having a good fly round your lounge, that is good. Galah/RB2's can be quite sedentary if you let them, so don't let the bad habits start and keep him occupied. Has he a name?

 

[Scott]

Very beautiful bird, glad he is active!

 

[Chantilly]

Thanks for the tips on toys plums mum, I have ordered a few and just waiting on delivery ☺
He is quite active. However he is underweight (250 grams) at the moment so I am trying to fatten him up slowly. I am giving him chopped up mixed veges and a high quality parrot pellet. I used 5 sunflower seeds to get him into his cage on the first day and he acted like a Crack addict, rushing to get to them, then throwing all of his pellets on the floor looking for more. He does eat the pellets but so far has not touched the fruit and vegetables (probably why he half starved when he was free). I will keep trying anyway ��

 

[Allee]

Very nice update, Chantel! Sounds like Nike is making his preferences known. Some adult birds avoid the unfamiliar be it diet, toys, humans or housing.

I don't doubt Nike is on the lower end of his perfect weight scale but there is a wide variance in size among species, in other words, a lower weight could be Nike's norm, considering his background alone, he could probably stand to gain a little weight. Try not to get frustrated with the chop, keep being persistent and creative, chop, shred, dice, grate, add a drop or too of coconut oil, repeat! Quinoa or brown rice or even whole grain or vegetable pasta will sometimes make the awful vegetables more palatable. Soaking pellets in organic fruit juice diluted with water is also a good trick that often works.

 

[Chantilly]

Should I cook the rice?

 

[Allee]

Yes, you should always cook, rice, quinoa and any kind of beans.

 

[Chantilly]

Thank you Allee ��

 

[Allee]

You're welcome! Cooking for avians is a little confusing at first, you'll get the hang of it before too long. If you haven't already browsed the diet section, there is a lot of great recipes and valuable information.

Parrot Food, Recipes and Diet - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

This is one of Terry57's birdie bread recipes, one of my flock's favorites, it makes a lot but you can freeze it.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/49833-cornbread-birdie-muffins.html

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, you've had great info from Allee but if I can please ask to go easy with the Sunflower seeds. Nike (thanks Allee), will put on weight so don't fret, as she also says there is a wide variance within a species. Being overweight causes these birds life shortening problems. Concentrate on a balanced and healthy diet and you cannot go wrong. Perhaps the birdie bread will work well as an inducement instead? As Allee says keep going with the chop, it definitely takes perseverance.

 

[Chantilly]

Thank you both for the advice I will start doing a lot more research on diet. I want him as healthy as possible.

 

[smbrds]

Welcome to the forum. What a great story. I have enjoyed learning more about him. Galahs are great birds. I remember my experience with my friend's galah. Sounds like he is settling in nicely.