Depressed / Sad African Ringneck ?? Pellet transition help

[Sandyl]

I was recently given a female African Ringneck by a neighbor who was moving (old owners thought she was a male Indian Ringneck, no big deal)

They clearly knew nothing about caring for her, she was on an all seed diet, never given fruits or veggies. Her previous cage was very tiny and only had two perches and I'm guessing because of the lack of socialization and diet has stress bars and over preens. Luckily she is in a better home now with more space, attention, toys, and love. I have been a previous bird owner however with her I am having a very difficult time. Took her to the vet and she weights 87 grams so I am on a mission of getting her on a healthy diet. I was given a probiotic and told to simply give it time.

It has been three weeks and switching her to pellets has proven to be a challenge. I've been mixing the pellets with her seeds, however she doesn't care for them. I also bought nutriberries in hopes that it will get her attention, but its the same reaction. It feels like I've tried everything and I don't know what to do vet told me to give it time, but I was hoping for some tips since she is is only 87 grams. She also finally started taking some fruits, however she is very lazy. Wants us to hold it for her, won't make an effort to grab it or go to the plate.

Also for three weeks she did not make a single noise, but his morning she made the tiniest noise so it feels like progress.. especially since previous owners said she didn't talk at all.

Any tips on pellet transition, or simply making her happier? She just sits on a perch for hours since that is all she was taught to do. I try not to stress her too much by going up to her, however I do want to build trust (although probably broken after going to the vet)
Thank you in advance!!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and your Ringneck! Thanks for adopting and seeking to improve her life. Your instincts seem spot on, improving diet and building a relationship should improve quality of life.

I found Harrison's Pellet transition protocol successful with my flock of 8. Regardless of brand, the technique is sound with the proviso of never "starving" a bird into submission. You may need to experiment with different pellet types to find one satisfying: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/using-our-foods/large-bird-conversion/

More advice to modify diet: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html
When feeding fresh veggies and fruits, patience and encouragement is helpful. Might try making 2 bowls of "chop," one each for you and bird. Begin to eat, expressing delight with head bobbing, "mmmmmm" sounds of approval. Parrots are flock eaters and you are a flock member!

Some excellent tips for bonding and building trust: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Good luck, let us know how things progress!

 

[LaManuka]

It can be tricky converting a seed eater onto pellets as they simply do not recognise them as food! I once had an eight week battle of wills with a very stubborn cockatiel where, like you, I tried every recommendation from my vet, the pellet manufacturer and the internet all with no success.

Finally what worked was grinding up her pellets into a powder using a mortar and pestle and sprinkling that over her seeds, the idea being just to get her accustomed to the taste. It wasn’t long before she was chowing down on her pellets like she’d been eating them all her life!

I hope you’re able to find something that works for your birdie, but it sounds to me like her new life with you will be a much happier one. It will take time for her to come out of her shell but with your love and patience she will. Welcome to you both

 

[Laurasea]

Try pellets called oven baked bites by all living things sold only at pet smart. Not any other brand that says iloven baked bites.
All my parrots love these even my Budgie!
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

 

[bill_e]

Laura, you had mentioned these pellets before and they sounded interesting. There are a lot of Oven XXX Bites on the market, many of which say "Made in the USA". Just now I Googled it looking for your Petsmart version and I looked at the bag which only states a distributor, not a manufacturer. Another hit reveled that MyBirdSafeStore sells them in bulk...I assume the same pellet, the EXACT same list of ingredients, same order and picture looks the same.
MySafeBirdStore

Anyway, I thought I'd post this in case bulk is cheaper for one's needs. I may buy some from them at my next order just to try since Nike is getting more adventurous with her eating lately.

 

[Ira7]

I found Harrison's Pellet transition protocol successful with my flock of 8. Regardless of brand, the technique is sound with the proviso of never "starving" a bird into submission. You may need to experiment with different pellet types to find one satisfying: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/using-our-foods/large-bird-conversion/

I’ve been using Topps pellets, but that doesn’t mean Archie is eating them. Luckily, he’s eating everything fresh, so I’ve just been limiting his seed intake, but I want him to get the nutrition of pellets.

Maybe I’ll try this, also try switching brands, but I’m not optimistic. I think he’s just going to ignore it and wait for his seeds, veggies and fruit.

 

[Ira7]

It can be tricky converting a seed eater onto pellets as they simply do not recognise them as food! I once had an eight week battle of wills with a very stubborn cockatiel where, like you, I tried every recommendation from my vet, the pellet manufacturer and the internet all with no success.

Finally what worked was grinding up her pellets into a powder using a mortar and pestle and sprinkling that over her seeds, the idea being just to get her accustomed to the taste. It wasn’t long before she was chowing down on her pellets like she’d been eating them all her life!

I hope you’re able to find something that works for your birdie, but it sounds to me like her new life with you will be a much happier one. It will take time for her to come out of her shell but with your love and patience she will. Welcome to you both

Sounds like a good idea! I’m gonna try this.

 

[LaManuka]

Sounds like a good idea! I’m gonna try this.

Oh Ira it worked a treat with Twinkle the cockatiel. Even if your bird doesn’t take to them straight away, grinding the pellets down more finely means the bird can’t just pick around them and they end up ingesting them whether they realise it or not!

 

[Sandyl]

I found Harrison's Pellet transition protocol successful with my flock of 8. Regardless of brand, the technique is sound with the proviso of never "starving" a bird into submission. You may need to experiment with different pellet types to find one satisfying: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/using-our-foods/large-bird-conversion/

I’ve been using Topps pellets, but that doesn’t mean Archie is eating them. Luckily, he’s eating everything fresh, so I’ve just been limiting his seed intake, but I want him to get the nutrition of pellets.

Maybe I’ll try this, also try switching brands, but I’m not optimistic. I think he’s just going to ignore it and wait for his seeds, veggies and fruit.

Good luck!! Keeps us updated on what works best for him, don’t lose hope I’m sure when we least expect it we will both see progress!

Also thank you to everyone I've received great advice can’t wait to try!!

 

[Laurasea]

Laura, you had mentioned these pellets before and they sounded interesting. There are a lot of Oven XXX Bites on the market, many of which say "Made in the USA". Just now I Googled it looking for your Petsmart version and I looked at the bag which only states a distributor, not a manufacturer. Another hit reveled that MyBirdSafeStore sells them in bulk...I assume the same pellet, the EXACT same list of ingredients, same order and picture looks the same.
MySafeBirdStore

Anyway, I thought I'd post this in case bulk is cheaper for one's needs. I may buy some from them at my next order just to try since Nike is getting more adventurous with her eating lately.

Thanks! I'll look into that! Seems the same! And I just got my new bag. Opened it handed everyone a pellet. They all ate them with gusto,! As always! As they eat these pellets's great I've just about stopped getting any other kind.
I've done a test and laid out these pellets, seeds, veggies, and then watched what they chose. They chose the pellets first!!! So I'm not wasting money, it's made in the USA, the ingredients are good, so yes I heartily endorse these pellets!!!! All living things please start sending me checks or free food!!!!

 

[Ira7]

Laura, you had mentioned these pellets before and they sounded interesting. There are a lot of Oven XXX Bites on the market, many of which say "Made in the USA". Just now I Googled it looking for your Petsmart version and I looked at the bag which only states a distributor, not a manufacturer. Another hit reveled that MyBirdSafeStore sells them in bulk...I assume the same pellet, the EXACT same list of ingredients, same order and picture looks the same.
MySafeBirdStore

Anyway, I thought I'd post this in case bulk is cheaper for one's needs. I may buy some from them at my next order just to try since Nike is getting more adventurous with her eating lately.

Thanks! I'll look into that! Seems the same! And I just got my new bag. Opened it handed everyone a pellet. They all ate them with gusto,! As always! As they eat these pellets's great I've just about stopped getting any other kind.
I've done a test and laid out these pellets, seeds, veggies, and then watched what they chose. They chose the pellets first!!! So I'm not wasting money, it's made in the USA, the ingredients are good, so yes I heartily endorse these pellets!!!! All living things please start sending me checks or free food!!!!

So are these made in the U.S.A. too? And this size for Amazons?

https://www.mysafebirdstore.com/CAI...Oven_Fresh_Bites_Large_Bulk_by_the_Pound.html

 

[Ira7]

Finally what worked was grinding up her pellets into a powder using a mortar and pestle and sprinkling that over her seeds, the idea being just to get her accustomed to the taste. It wasn’t long before she was chowing down on her pellets like she’d been eating them all her life!

So far, so good. He’s hopefully getting some good nutrition from the powder, but the thing is, Archie HAD been eating these pellets since he could eat the hard stuff.

I think that at just 9 months old now, and with me for the past 5 weeks or so, he simply didn’t get the fresh diet at the “bird store” (although it’s more than a bird store) that I’ve been giving him since he’s become Ira Junior:

He eats just about EVERYTHING fresh I give him, and since I’m retired and have no life, I’m having a ball giving him different fresh stuff. Four times a day, albeit small portions. So when he goes to his dry bowl, he’s now only interested in the seed in there. He knows that the real gourmet meals are served in his WET bowl.

I’m seriously considering putting only pellets in his dry, but not only don’t I have any idea if his current seed intake is excessive on any level at all...he only gets a tiny handful twice a day and doesn’t seem to be going crazy for more...but how can I deny him what he enjoys so much? This is what makes life worth living.

It’s like saying I could never have a Nathan’s hot dog again, although I grew up just a few miles from the original Nathan’s in Coney Island.

Longevity has its benefits, but there’s a limit, you know?

 

[Scott]

It’s like saying I could never have a Nathan’s hot dog again, although I grew up just a few miles from the original Nathan’s in Coney Island.

Longevity has its benefits, but there’s a limit, you know?

My mom grew up in Brooklyn and was friends with the Handwerker Family. (Nathan's founders) During WW2 she was often invited for dinner during rationing. Nathan was a kindly man! At age 91 she will occasionally eat a supermarket sourced "Nathan's Hot Dog" but the flavor is a bit different. Or maybe just her memory!

 

[Ira7]

Sounds like a good idea! I’m gonna try this.

Oh Ira it worked a treat with Twinkle the cockatiel. Even if your bird doesn’t take to them straight away, grinding the pellets down more finely means the bird can’t just pick around them and they end up ingesting them whether they realise it or not!

It’s been working!

 

[Ira7]

It’s like saying I could never have a Nathan’s hot dog again, although I grew up just a few miles from the original Nathan’s in Coney Island.

Longevity has its benefits, but there’s a limit, you know?

My mom grew up in Brooklyn and was friends with the Handwerker Family. (Nathan's founders) During WW2 she was often invited for dinner during rationing. Nathan was a kindly man! At age 91 she will occasionally eat a supermarket sourced "Nathan's Hot Dog" but the flavor is a bit different. Or maybe just her memory!

The natural casing store bought Nathan’s dogs are excellent, very close to the restaurant.But ONLY the natural casing, and you have to grill them or dry griddle them in a pan.

 

[Scott]

It’s like saying I could never have a Nathan’s hot dog again, although I grew up just a few miles from the original Nathan’s in Coney Island.

Longevity has its benefits, but there’s a limit, you know?

My mom grew up in Brooklyn and was friends with the Handwerker Family. (Nathan's founders) During WW2 she was often invited for dinner during rationing. Nathan was a kindly man! At age 91 she will occasionally eat a supermarket sourced "Nathan's Hot Dog" but the flavor is a bit different. Or maybe just her memory!

The natural casing store bought Nathan’s dogs are excellent, very close to the restaurant.But ONLY the natural casing, and you have to grill them or dry griddle them in a pan.

When you state "natural casing" does that mean intestines?

 

[Ira7]

My mom grew up in Brooklyn and was friends with the Handwerker Family. (Nathan's founders) During WW2 she was often invited for dinner during rationing. Nathan was a kindly man! At age 91 she will occasionally eat a supermarket sourced "Nathan's Hot Dog" but the flavor is a bit different. Or maybe just her memory!

The natural casing store bought Nathan’s dogs are excellent, very close to the restaurant.But ONLY the natural casing, and you have to grill them or dry griddle them in a pan.

When you state "natural casing" does that mean intestines?

I don’t have a clue, but maybe.

Nathan’s makes a few different types for store sales, and different sizes, but only one is natural casing. That’s why they split open after they’re done, and snap when you bend them after cooking.

It’s like it has a skin that’s different than the dog itself.

 

[Ira7]

My mom grew up in Brooklyn and was friends with the Handwerker Family. (Nathan's founders) During WW2 she was often invited for dinner during rationing. Nathan was a kindly man! At age 91 she will occasionally eat a supermarket sourced "Nathan's Hot Dog" but the flavor is a bit different. Or maybe just her memory!

The natural casing store bought Nathan’s dogs are excellent, very close to the restaurant.But ONLY the natural casing, and you have to grill them or dry griddle them in a pan.

When you state "natural casing" does that mean intestines?

See photo below for the correct one.

Never buy their “skinless.”

 

[Scott]

The natural casing store bought Nathan’s dogs are excellent, very close to the restaurant.But ONLY the natural casing, and you have to grill them or dry griddle them in a pan.

When you state "natural casing" does that mean intestines?

I don’t have a clue, but maybe.

Nathan’s makes a few different types for store sales, and different sizes, but only one is natural casing. That’s why they split open after they’re done, and snap when you bend them after cooking.

It’s like it has a skin that’s different than the dog itself.

Thanks! Apparently the natural casing is from cleaned sheep intestines: https://nathansfamous.com/products/hot-dogs/natural-casing-beef-hot-dogs/