Picky eater. I finally got him eating pellets!

[MangieSun]

I give Jasper (bare eyed too) his fresh breakfast in the Am. He has access to pellets during the day in his cage which he refused to touch. The breeder also had him on a seed mix so I give him a little of that at night still (with more fresh offerings) because he was barely eating. I have slowly transitioned him to a healthier blend from my safe bird store (although he doesn't seem to enjoy that either). His favorite thing is sunflower seeds so he is only offered those during training sessions.

Anyways, long story short. I got him to finally eat pellets by having only those out during the day on his stand. He is currently munching away on his pellets. Yay!!!

Getting this picky guy to eat anything other than seeds has been a task so this is a big deal. Thought I'd share in case others have a picky little one.

 

[jenphilly]

Congrats!! They can be so stubborn in trying new foods, its like a major feat when you see them eating pellets (or whatever you are trying to convince won't poison them!!).

If he decides he doesn't want to eat his pellets when given a mix, a trick I use with Ivory (who won't touch any pellets, we tried multiple), I put the pellets thru my nutribullet with the mill blade. Turns the pellets into almost a powder. I feed her Golden Feast mixes, so I put two different mixes into a larger storage container, then dump the TOPs ground up pellets so they coat everything... anything she eats has pellets on it, so she eats what she needs to without knowing it I also put pellets in all the birdie bread I make. I joke its like hiding broccoli in brownies for kids who won't eat their veggies!!

Congrats again on Jasper eating his pellets, I hope he keeps up the good behavior for you

 

[Terry57]

That is great news! They can be sooo stubborn - the saying should be stubborn like a bird instead of mule

Great to see that your persistence paid off!

 

[MangieSun]

Thank you for the comments and tips. I did do a big batch of birdie bread with crushed pellets. I put in all kinds of finely cut veggies, eggshell and pellets hoping to get him associated with new flavors. That may have helped. He does nibble a bit on the birdie bread.