How do I get my birds to try foods?

[Nightbeat1001]

My birds will only eat seed and only one will take millet. Neither one of them will take anything fresh. I have tried putting the stuff in separate dishes from their seed feed and even in the same dish with their food but they always avoid the treats. They won't take anything from my hand (they are somewhat new) but know the step up command. I have tried: Cantaloupe, watermelon, bananas, apples, blueberries, cucumber (garden fresh and store bought), lettuce, carrots (fresh and cooked), corn, broccoli, and cauliflower. I have been trying to get them to try something new for nearly a month. I can't continue taming until I have something they will do anything for. The one bird that will take millet is kind-of meh about it and the other won't take millet at all, anywhere, anytime. I can't continue the taming until I can get them to take something that they will see is worth their time. I am at a stand-still in their taming right now, the method of taming I have been using relies heavily on treats and though I have gotten somewhere I just can't get any farther, hence why I started trying to get them to take treats a month ago.

 

[plumsmum2005]

My budgie loved peas and potatoes as an idea, remember in moderation though. Solving one problem to cause another would not be a good idea.

Have you tried different ways of presenting the veggies, experiment with any kitchen equipment you have, grater, food processor, spiralizer, chopper. it may make a difference?

You could try sprouting some of their seed also?

 

[clark_conure]

I assume you tried the food and shared some with him? If not do that. Birds are social and share food, and one thing a bird knows is if it's human eats something it must be good.

If I make a sammich and put it down in front of me my bird perks up, as soon as pick it up to eat it I have him crawling up my arm sleeves or not. Either way you'll eat healthier and and the food won't go to waste.

 

[Nightbeat1001]

plumsmum2005:
I have tried the food in different visual forms even down to shredding shreddable foods and mixing them with a little bit of their seed feed. Somehow they always eat the seed but never touch the food. I have even gone so far as to count the number of pieces that are in the dish and it always come out the same number. I have also tried sprouting but can never get anything to come out even when following a strict sprouting regime. However I have not tried peas yet. I will try those as the next option. Thank you.

clark conure:
I have not tried food sharing. Even though my birds are somewhat wary of me (mostly the cockatiel) I will try food sharing next and see if I can get my budgie to try something in hopes that the cockatiel will follow the budgie's example (they like each other a great deal even tough the budgie can be a bug sometimes). Thank you.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Bingo on the food sharing. I have yet to have a bird that didn't want to try whatever food Im eating.. hence Ive had bowls of Zupreem and Harrisons with the birdies on my shoulders. I prefer the taste of Zupreems to Harrisons...lol. And yes it worked!! Try it. Good luck

 

[gracebowen]

Food sharing does work but....it only works for me after my fids are used to me. And will land near me when they are out.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Food sharing definetly works great!! And don't get me started on each other's bowls... food always tastes better out of someone else's dish!!! When the time comes each day to replace their food, everybirdy flies over to check things out. Ducky eating from Bluebell's bowl, Bluebell eating from Kermit's bowl, Kermit eating from Ducky's bowl... until I have to put the birds in their own cages.