Seed-crazy?

[haylo]

I know the title sounds like common knowledge, I guess I'm just checking we're still all good here.
Bailey, my picky guy, has taken to eating zupreems finch pellets with little issue (I was trying to move away from zupreem but so far haven't had any luck, and my vet voted not great pellets over none) and right now is eating only that except for the treats he gets while training. Ideally, veggies are going to be attempted soon but I'm trying not to get my hopes up frankly.

Since transitioning to only-pellets however, Bailey was always food motivated but has been VERY motivated to behave. Which is good, but I'm just wondering when it's concerning? He's taken a lot more of an interest in me, since I am the sole supplier of those treats - and he'll jump on the container if I get them out, and when this is not happening he scavenges the floor for thrown seeds from my other two birds. (Other budgie eats a different brand of pellet i'm waiting on the shipment of, while my finch eats a mix of things.)

I've considered transitioning his 'treat' food to just various seed instead of specifically millet spray but is it worth it? and, is his sudden craze a bad sign? The floor and (attempted) trash can scavenging worries me most. (I have covered the trash & am sweeping more often germ-wise, btw.) Is it possible it's some combination of the extra sugar from zupreem or that he's too hungry? I've been checking his weight daily & so far it's been consistent at a good 42 or so, so i assume he's eating enough?. (He was 46 at his last vet, but was slightly overweight.)
And, for what it's worth, he's also gotten very comfortable with me because of this (im not complaining about this, but tbh it adds to my concern he's desperate for food?) - today he sat in my hand upside-down if it meant a treat. Bailey is from a pet store and over 4 years, recall training & stepping up has been the extent of our contact, which was GREAT, & I expected nothing more, so for him to be this comfortable is both exciting and kind of concerning to me.

Is this just normal?
Sorry for the paranoia but i'd rather be over than uninformed. TIA.

 

[rheashard2]

Where treats are concerned I've discovered everything is normal w my CAG. She knows treats come out of chest freezer. She'll get on it knock on it with her beak. Then say come in. I am paranoid she'll get in it undetected. She learned the look and sound of fast/junk food containers. My CAG acts like she's starving when it comes to treats, junk and her morning chop. It doesn't matter that she has plenty of available pellets. Birds have a high metabolism with a small area to put it. To humans this can seem like constant eating. Plus they waste a portion of it, it's a normal bird thing. Keep track of his weight. Weight ups/downs can aid in showing problems. Try for near same time and after morning poop. Easing birds to a better diet; incorporating healthier fruits and veggies is a struggle. It can be never ending. Your bird showing he's comfortable is excellent. It will aid in prevention of stress related problems. It kinda sounds like Bailey is working on human training. Something all pets can excel in! Keep consistent in rewarding him for things you want. Not what he wants, no matter how 'cute' he tries to be. For calorie control plan the maximum treat amount. Use his weight and activity to help. When I rattle a treat, fast/junk food container the appropriate pet (dogs, cats or bird) go ballistic. My CAG blows kisses, talks soft and goes through a variety of I'm cute acts. So it can take willpower not to over feed treats.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Bailey is at a good solid weight so as long as he's eating the food you give him don't worry about him being too hungry. I think he just like his treats just like we humans like ours.

 

[haylo]

Thank you both! I don't always see him eating pellets, but he goes to it in the morning and when he's not out and about, I imagine that's what he's up to.
I've absolutley been tracking his weight just to make sure -- and working on what we've just been calling "all done". When training period is over, treats are no longer available. If he wants to come hangout with me, that's awesome! But he's not deeply rewarded for it -- and usually, still hangs out which is kinda nice. (Even if he's just in it for the occasional bite.)

And yes! He's training us over here well. He's become SO rambunctious compared to a few years ago when he was really nervous and in some ways, his attempts to "outsmart" me (and occasionally, succeeding) make me really glad. He definitley knows my go-to treat containers now lol. Today was a hard one. I worked on combining more physical AND verbal cues since that seems to be his strength. Dude is smart. He wouldnt do something if I had a more open hand, but closed fist=food so he'll do it then. If he climbs on my back, no treats, we're not working on that. Stuff like that. I do really appreciate the encouragement, I'm glad it's nothing too concerning.

Thank you both a ton again! : )

 

[rheashard2]

Excellent for you both. I don't have the bird trainer personality. It annoys and amuses me. My CAG started reversal training. She'd mimic the clicker and give commands. Then rebuke me....baaaadddd birddd, just do it you know how. The clencher came when she'd go to her 'stick'...step up.....get on....come here and get on... Then she'd do a Horror Villain maniac laugh. So I was trained to not train.

 

[haylo]

Excellent for you both. I don't have the bird trainer personality. It annoys and amuses me. My CAG started reversal training. She'd mimic the clicker and give commands. Then rebuke me....baaaadddd birddd, just do it you know how. The clencher came when she'd go to her 'stick'...step up.....get on....come here and get on... Then she'd do a Horror Villain maniac laugh. So I was trained to not train.

Thank you! And y'know, that's quite the story haha. I think I am almost lucky Bailey isn't vocal in the sense of using actual words. I think he'd probably taunt me. I don't know if it's luck, him, or me, but he does actually seem to do tasks for food very well. "trained not to train" is a great way to put it though. Thanks again : )

 

[TiredOldMan]

Excellent for you both. I don't have the bird trainer personality. It annoys and amuses me. My CAG started reversal training. She'd mimic the clicker and give commands. Then rebuke me....baaaadddd birddd, just do it you know how. The clencher came when she'd go to her 'stick'...step up.....get on....come here and get on... Then she'd do a Horror Villain maniac laugh. So I was trained to not train.

99% of the time when you are talking about your CAG I have had similar if not identical interactions
It's obviously a grey thing. Mine has me well trained and I am resigned to my servitude.

 

[rheashard2]

Glad to see I'm not alone. There's times I wonder about interacting with my CAG. They're too smart and intuitive with responses.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My budgies seem to have no interest on being trained to do anything but I'm willing to admit that I don't have a bird trainer personality either (whatever that is) and no abilities. I see budgies that are trained to do all sorts of things and I'm amazed. Are my budgies too smart or not smart enough? My Joey, the female I hand raised last winter, lives solo in our bedroom because she can't be with males and is all over us. Tries to crawl into our clothes. Grooms my face and the rest of my body, but I can't imagine her trained to do anything specific.