New member

[amlock]

Hello everyone,

My name is Amanda and obviously a new member. I own a 4 month old Green Cheek Conure named Rory and a GSD named Jaeger. I joined to learn some more things about bird care seeing as Rory is my first bird. I got him 4 days ago and he's already very sweet. I spend around 4-5 hours a day with him. I did have some questions though. He's a very picky eater, he likes apples and that's about it as far as fruits and veggies go. He likes bread crust too. I'm feeding him mainly pellets and a few seeds and he has a variety of toys in his cage. Tonight though, I noticed he has some stress bars, could this be from coming to a new home? I'm hoping so, I'm freaking out a bit in regards to his care/health. He seems happy, loves head scratches, jumps around and plays, eat, drinks and is very silly so I hope I'm not doing something wrong. Any suggestions on getting him to eat veggies? I was thinking puree them with some applesauce or possibly bake them into something. Anyways, looking forward to meeting y'all and learning new things.

 

[clark_conure]

OMG trust me don't worry about it too much. Within a week or so you won't be able to eat raw liver covered in mold and dryer lint sheets without him crawling down your shoulder to give it a try. Green cheeck conures are very smart and they figure out pretty quick that if you eat it, it tastes yummy. Give it a week or two and he will put in his mouth anything you put in your mouth.

Also don't feed him raw liver with mold and dryer sheets on it, that's gross.

Just keep doing what your doing.....everything sounds fine. If you want him to eat it, just eat it yourself, but pellets should be the main focus for his diet.

Soon the onus will be on you keep him from eating foods that are bad for him.

 

[Flboy]

OMG trust me don't worry about it too much. Within a week or so you won't be able to eat raw liver covered in mold and dryer lint sheets ...

Ya know, if you add onions.................

 

[clark_conure]

well onions and bacon.....

 

[amlock]

Haha ok awesome. My fiance has been telling me I'm worrying too much

 

[clark_conure]

Also what do you mean by stress bars? As in he's generally on guard or just the picky eating or...

 

[Anansi]

When it comes to getting birds to eat new veggies, my suggestion is to try different varieties prepared in different ways. When my birds used to turn their noses up at carrots, I tried grating them and they were suddenly deemed acceptable. Some prefer their veggies raw and crunchy, others soft and boiled. Some like their pieces cut in large chunks, others finely diced. Just try different things and see what sticks.

As for Rory's stress bars, 4 months old is a bit young for that to be happening already. So I'm glad you are already looking into changing his diet. But those stress bars did not develop over the past 4 days that you've had him. Stress bars on feathers indicate a period of stress - whether due to diet or environmental factors - at that point in the formation of the feather. So we're talking at least a few weeks prior in all likelihood.

 

[Scott]

Welcome Amanda, Rory, and Jaeger!!

Diet is a huge part of a parrot's life, and there are many techniques to encourage better eating. Landing in a new home is a transition, so take it slowly and try to use food as a bonding device.

Check out some of these threads:
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

Parrots are flock eaters; Rory and Jaeger will view you as part of the flock. Prepare a varied veggie/fruit bowl for them and you, and start eating. Make positive noises and gestures. Sounds clownish, but they may be encouraged to try what you have eaten.