Newly adopted 4 1/2 year old goffins cockatoo won't eat pellets. Please advise.

[gibson2503]

I recently adopted a 4 1/2 year old goffins cockatoo from a family who no longer had time for her. Her name is Cosmo. I have been trying to get Cosmo to eat Zupreem fruit blend and veggie blend, but she just plays with them. When I give her Nutri Berries, she eats them just fine. I'm afraid she will have too much seeds. Please advise me on this situation.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Curious as to what else you are feeding besides nutriberries and pellets?

 

[riddick07]

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

 

[Allee]

It sounds like your new friend doesn't recognize the pellets as food. According to how he has been fed for his four and a half years it could take a little time and patience before he fully accepts a healthier diet. Have you offered vegetables and fruits, those may appeal? Here are some links you may find helpful.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/28242-ingredients-pellets.html

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

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

 

[Scott]

Parrots require a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits. Click on the previously posted excellent thread-links!!

Mine enjoy a "triad" of selections; a large fresh veggie/fruit bowl 3 to 4 days per week, a zupreme pellet and seed mix on the "off" days, and selected treats to include whole-grain breads and hot/cold cereals, and a bit of string cheese weekly. Most importantly, when the fresh food is served, all pellets/seeds are removed!

You may wish to try serving some of the foods enjoyed almost universally by my Goffins: Cooked yams/sweet potatoes, apple, garbanzo beans, endamame in the pod, pear, peas, melon seeds, pomegranites, whole unsweetened cranberries when in season, and banana. 100% whole grain cooked spiral noodles are also a favorite, as is corn on the cob, though it is not particularly nutritious. They are flock-eaters, and you are part of the flock, so eat some of the foods in their presence, and bob your head in delight!

 

[gibson2503]

I have tried fresh fruits and veggies (peach, apple, carrot, broccoli). She completely disregards them. She plays with the Zupreem pellets, but hasn't eaten any.

 

[Siobhan]

I guess Rocky is the exception to the rule (he's the exception to a lot of rules, LOL) in that his previous diet was so appalling that when I offered pellets, expecting to have to gradually convert him, he abandoned the awful food and took to the pellets immediately. I removed the bad food permanently the first day. It has taken longer to get him to eat "people" food and he still turns up his beak at fruits and veggies, but I've managed to get him to eat some egg, mashed potatoes -- he LOVES those and I almost didn't get any myself, LOL) -- and he at least tasted some tomato, though he decided he didn't like it. As Scott suggested, eat in front of your parrot and offer some of what you're having. It might take a few attempts, but sooner or later, they can't resist eating your food.

 

[gracebowen]

So true. It took 4 months for my babies(less than a year old) to eat their veggies instead of throwing them

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

My adopted Goffins Jonesy,doesn't eat pellets either..unfortunately after 28 years of seed I don't think he is going to change !

However,he does eat all sorts of veggies and fruits,chicken bones,scrambled eggs and other assorted yummy stuff.


Jim

 

[Mlou]

The only pellet I could get my Goffin to eat was from a company called, Bird Tricks.com
I had tried everything all you had talked and said.
Is organic, and much softer he doesn't even dunk it.
It took 3 days to get him change over now I can't get him to eat anything but, having a hard time with veggies,so have to do in juice. He thinks he's drinking what I am drinking.