New IRN owner- What are your IRN's favorite treats?

[UnkTob]

Hello!

Brought home my IRN, which is the biggest bird I've owned so far!

I have a few things to try, but what treats do your IRNs like the most? A confusing part of this is what type of those treats do you use? I saw videos of parrots eating peanuts out of the shell, so I bought some (roasted but unsalted) but wasn't sure I should use them. In another post saw people say not to give them peanuts at all and definitely not in the shell. Saw that sunflower seeds are good, but what kind? At the local big chain pet store they only had a huge frickin bag, and it was in the wild bird section.
So what do you all use as treats for IRNs, and what type? Thanks!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Nuts and Sunflower seeds should only be given in moderation, they are a high fat food. Imagine every time you gave a Sunflower seed or a high fat nut you have to take a bite of a Snickers bar.

Most parronts stay away from peanuts altogether.

There will be something in their diet of seeds, grains, blossoms, fruits, greens, vegetables, berries and nuts that they are most fond of and you can use that as the treat. Also you can make little birdie muffins and offer small pieces as treats.

Never give anything that is purchased in the wild bird food section.

 

[Newbsi]

Almonds. She loves her almonds.
My Senegal loves Mangos

 

[UnkTob]

Thanks for the replies PlumsMom and Newbsi!
I'm trying to figure out what my IRN will like, also to use for training. I've also seen that cashews are very popular with many birds (as treat). Where I'm unsure is what type to get? I'd figure of course not to be salted at all. How about roasted? Do they have to be pet specific, or do you just get them at the normal store like you would buy to eat yourself. For sunflower seeds, (another thing I see mentioned) they say black oil sunflower seeds, but the only ones of those I see are sold for wild birds. As you said PlumsMom, I shouldn't give anything from the wild bird section.
Thanks again! I appreciate the assistance!

 

[Silverstone205]

We got a "around" 7 year old IRN and I couldn't get a lot information from the second owner (very young family), who owned her for 7 month only and it looked to me they were very happy to see her gone. Anyway. I figured out so far that she likes apples, cut in slices. Kiwi's yeahhh but not to much, bananas the same. The funny part: All the little "special" parrot food and treat bags I got from the young couple, she doesn't like at all. She actually sorts out what she doesn't like and drops them to the ground.

Every morning she gets a small amount on apple slices and her parrot food. But we still trying out what else she would like. We have her only 4 weeks now.....

 

[UnkTob]

Thanks for the reply, Silverstone!
Yes, my IRN loves apple slices too! I got the bird from an aviary, and only have had him ( or her... too young to tell) a few days now. I've been giving him apple slices as treats by holding them in my fingers through the bars. Already, he seems muuuuuuch less scared of my hands in just a couple of days. Still a little freaked out, but I feel like the apple is helping quite a bit! Also likes baby carrots, although they end up being dropped usually.

I want to use nuts as training treats, but I created this post since I don't know what "type" to get. Im not that fond of almonds, but I hear they are great for training, but I'm not sure what kind, or what to lookout for.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Kitchen Physician XII - Nutrition In A Nutshell

 

[UnkTob]

Thanks PlumsMum for the article link. Good info. My local grocery store has a good organic section for nuts. Bought some raw cashews, almonds and sunflower seeds. Odd, he hasn't been too interested in checking them out today. We'll see how it goes and what he (or she) likes.

 

[UnkTob]

Update- I like the aviary I purchased my little buddy from less and less. They said he or she was raised on a mix of pellets, seed and veggies. That is a bunch of malarkey! He or she only likes bird seed. Going to try medium sized pellets, and I keep trying different veggies, but mainly he just seems to be entertained watching them fall thru the grating and landing on the paper. I am not giving up on the veggies though! I try something different all the time.

Only snacks he really likes so far- slices of apple. Grapes will get a little attention from him at times, but apples... that's the stuff! His cute little eyes pin multiple times as he is eating them. Really seems to enjoy them! Carrots were somewhat interesting the first day, but now he takes one bite, then watches them fall. lol

Also, I'm trying to do clicker & target training, but I haven't found a nut that he will take as a treat. He will take a bite out of a piece of nut, then drop it. Great that he loves apples, but that isn't a very practical solution for training. (Apple slices don't fair well in my pocket) Bought some unsalted pistachios, and a pack of freeze dried fruit snacks (nothing added), including Strawberries, bananas, blueberries and of course, his beloved apples!

Who knew it would be so hard to find a treat I can use for training?