Cheeko won't eat anything but seeds!

[silverhuntress]

So Cheeko Is a three year old pie balled cockatiel, I bought him off of kijiji on Boxing Day that just passed. He was not treated well by his passed owners. I have spent these passed months getting him friendly wanting to handled, so forth. Now since he allows me to scratch his head, I'm wanting to work on his feeding problem. I have tried these passed months but to no success!
I always have seeds out for him, and water at all times of the day... I have tried placing veggies of different spots, like on top of his food, dangling by his bars. With again no success. So today was cleaning the cage day, Instead of re filling the bird food I placed veggies in it. Just a small peace of broccoli a small peace of cucumber and celery... I'm coming at a loss of what to do... And would love any input!! And advise to help out!!!

 

[kyva]

I'm not sure what you can do to get a bird to eat food he may not want or be afraid of. That said, I'd put his normal food back in, just to make sure he has something to eat.

Hopefully someone with more experience will come in and give better info than I can.

 

[Dinosrawr]

It's difficult switching from seed to pellet and fruits/veggies, that's for certain! The best thing to do is to continue working slowly. Try feeding Cheeko fruits and veggies when he's at his hungriest, like in the morning. Offer a small amount with lots of variety in colour, shape, and vegetable/fruit type, and leave it in his cage for about an hour. Also, make sure to offer way more veggies than fruit, as fruits are high in sugar.

After an hour, remove it and provide him with his regular food. I would also recommend making the switch to a healthy pellet, like natural Zupreem, Roudybush, Harrison's, or TOPs. As you transition to pellet, gradually increase the ratio of pellet to seed to eventually remove seed. Mind you, having nutritional seed in the diet is great, but that can often be done through training sessions or foraging activity rather than leaving it easily available in the cage. Be careful, though, because birds can and will starve themselves if they're "cold-cut" from their food!

Another technique is to have him out with you while you munch on those goodies and make them look extra tasty! Birds often want something that you're eating. I know Avery will scramble all over to try to have what I'm having, and at times she's flown to me just to try and steal a sip of orange juice or a bite of food.

I'm sure others will also chime in with great advice! I had to switch Avery from seed as well, but she's not a picky eater so it wasn't difficult for me. Good luck with Cheeko!

 

[silverhuntress]

Thank you a bunch!!! I found out the hard way a month after owning him that you should not switch his food right after! I bought him natural zupreem, and he did starve himself for close to three weeks... But when he did eat I cheered! I am new but done as much research as my silly lap top and phone will let me!
I will put less in his food bowl so he will have enough just for the day and not two days and I will do just what you suggested! I am giving him vitamins to be on the safe side, and placing it in his water.
Again thank you soo much!!! I was really getting worried!

 

[Taw5106]

I acquired my Buddy right after his previous owners passed away. I figured he was on a seed diet, but I've nixed his seed and he gets fresh fruit and veg three times a day. Have you introduced new fruit and veg to him? Try it. I'm not the expert, but knocking out the pure seed and introducing different produce has been a winner for us. Buddy is eating fresh fruit and veg as a primary food source now.

 

[MonicaMc]

Maybe some of the ideas in this thread might help out?


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