Quaker diet help..

[C3mommy]

Just got my Quaker and she seems to be a picky little thing. She doesn't seem to like anything that's fresh besides corn. Does anyone have any tips on what I can do to get her to eat her veggies and fruits? Also does anyone know where I can find a chart as to what are good foods and harmful foods?

 

[Laurasea]

No Avacado, onion, chocolate. Congratulations!!! How old is your new one? Sometimes there are weaning issues that need to be addressed. Some one smarter than me will give better food info. But it can time for birds to try new food, offer it even if even they pass, offer it different ways, cooked, chopped, shredded. Bell peppers and red chilly peppers are high in vitamin A and seem to be well liked. Offer it in different ways, in a bowl, hanging, stuffed in the bars. Or let em steal it from you, that never seems to fail, they want to try anything I have. What's your new ones name?

 

[noodles123]

Try eating the foods with another person while ignoring her lol.


My picky bird (cockatoo) loves corn, fresh apricots, pears , bananas, romaine lettuce, tangerines (small amount due to acidity) and sometimes peaches and green grapes. Try fresh, steamed, baked etc (no oil, no salt, no sugar)
Birds are fickle so don't give up on any specific foods-keep trying...

 

[C3mommy]

I am not sure how old she is. They are saying between 6-9 months. I have no idea of how to know either. She hasn't seemed interested in any of the food I offer her. I have tried green beans, carrots, nectarine, and strawberries. She only wants corn.

No Avacado, onion, chocolate. Congratulations!!! How old is your new one? Sometimes there are weaning issues that need to be addressed. Some one smarter than me will give better food info. But it can time for birds to try new food, offer it even if even they pass, offer it different ways, cooked, chopped, shredded. Bell peppers and red chilly peppers are high in vitamin A and seem to be well liked. Offer it in different ways, in a bowl, hanging, stuffed in the bars. Or let em steal it from you, that never seems to fail, they want to try anything I have. What's your new ones name?

 

[C3mommy]

I will keep trying, but so far it's not happening for her. LOL

Try eating the foods with another person while ignoring her lol.


My picky bird (cockatoo) loves corn, fresh apricots, pears , bananas, romaine lettuce, tangerines (small amount due to acidity) and sometimes peaches and green grapes. Try fresh, steamed, baked etc (no oil, no salt, no sugar)
Birds are fickle so don't give up on any specific foods-keep trying...

 

[Scott]

Introducing new and healthy foods is challenging as parrots are rather set in their comfort zone. This thread from the Parrot Food, Recipes, and Diet forum may be helpful: http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html Other of the highlighted "sticky" threads give examples of proper and avoidable foods.

Best to offer a wide variety of foods, and don't be discouraged when they are gingerly sampled or tossed overboard. It can take years or decades for a bird to like a specific food. Parrots are flock-eaters, and you are a member of the flock. Prepare a bowl of vegetables/fruits (aka "chop") for you and your Quaker. Begin to eat and show physical signs of enjoyment such as bobbing your head and making "mmmmm" sounds.

 

[MonicaMc]

Here's the other post!

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

 

[Laurasea]

Both of mine love raw broccoli. You have em eating healthy. They love to eat as a flock, if you have a way to share a plate with them they will very likely try new things as they like learning an being part of group eating!!

 

[cnyguy]

Getting a fussy parrot to try new foods can be a matter of months, not just days. For all of 8 months, my QP Ralph refused to try broccoli. Once he finally tried it, he decided he likes it and usually eats some when I offer it. So keep trying and don't give up. Foods that can be offered either raw or cooked should be tried both ways. Your QP may prefer foods finely chopped rather than larger pieces-- or it could be the other way around. Experiment a little and you'll have a better chance of success. I always recommend fresh green peas, which are Ralph's favorite food. Try some if you can get them.

 

[C3mommy]

I will try chopped.. Ty!!

Getting a fussy parrot to try new foods can be a matter of months, not just days. For all of 8 months, my QP Ralph refused to try broccoli. Once he finally tried it, he decided he likes it and usually eats some when I offer it. So keep trying and don't give up. Foods that can be offered either raw or cooked should be tried both ways. Your QP may prefer foods finely chopped rather than larger pieces-- or it could be the other way around. Experiment a little and you'll have a better chance of success. I always recommend fresh green peas, which are Ralph's favorite food. Try some if you can get them.

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[C3mommy]

Made Gamora some food, but no interest! What can I do?

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[noodles123]

another thought- try these new foods when the bird first wakes up and temporarily remove alternatives like seeds.

Also, I would present them one at a time at first, because I have found that mine will toss out less-preferred foods that she likes, if presented in the same bowl with a favorite food... If I present them alone, she isn't as eager to toss things out (although I do usually still give her a mix of fruits/veg.....ah the waste).

 

[C3mommy]

She actually did eat some! I was pretty excited. Do you only offer actual pellet or seeds at certain times of the day? I always leave in her cage.

another thought- try these new foods when the bird first wakes up and temporarily remove alternatives like seeds.

Also, I would present them one at a time at first, because I have found that mine will toss out less-preferred foods that she likes, if presented in the same bowl with a favorite food... If I present them alone, she isn't as eager to toss things out (although I do usually still give her a mix of fruits/veg.....ah the waste).

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[noodles123]

Did you try sitting next to him/her and eating the same type of (healthy) food off of a plate? Did he/she show any interest then? Again, I wouldn't feed right off of your plate , as human saliva is bad for birds and feeding from your plate could encourage begging in the future (annoying) but I was just curious. You can save some of the same parrot-safe food aside in her bowl and then show her (side-by-side) that they are the same...assuming she cares at all lol.


My only other (semi-radical/ controversial) thought would be to try giving her a teeny-tiny bit of something less healthy (like a SMMMMMALLLLLLL bit of a lower-sodium cracker or chip..like one or 2 times (periodically but not over and over) and then try the healthy stuff afterwards in order to pique her interest in new foods. That is only if you know she is healthy etc. Obviously, it isn't good to give them salt or sugar, but if it happens 1 or 2 times and the pieces are small, I'm 99% sure she will be fine, as long as they don't contain an additional toxin like avocado. I hope I don't get killed for suggesting this as a last-resort, but it might work. Again, only in extreme moderation and only if your bird is otherwise healthy...And the size would need to be smaller than 1/2 of a dime (if that). Tiny to us could be huge to your bird.

 

[sherylb]

I had to keep trying different things. My Kiwi is picky. He won't eat any fruit at all and doesn't like wet mushy stuff. He love dry oats, quinoa, raw broccolli, cauliflower. HE will try new things I give him though. I've had him for a month now. His routine when I wake him up is to go into my office with me for work and he eats the mix of stuff I just mentioned on a plate on my desk. He comes running if I put him on his play stand before he has eaten his bfast! LOL. Noodles123....he has come a long way since I last posted questions needing help! LOL Now if I can figure out a routine for his bedtime!! lol.

 

[sherylb]

also, I forgot to add.....at first I shaved a pistaccio onto all the veggies since he loves those !! It's cheating but it worked! try raw shaved carrots and raw broccolli cut up small.

 

[C3mommy]

UPDATE... Gamora has actually taken really well to fresh foods. I offer her broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, corn, green beans, squash, cherry tomatoes.. She's eaten most! Also have given her egg (her favorite) and some quinoa.

Can they have oatmeal?

Also she is definitely getting more comfortable with us!

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[C3mommy]

Is this ok for daily diet?

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[lplummer52]

Birdie likes Nutriberries. I got her to eat pellets by putting in 1 or 2 Nutriberries to get her started. She still gets one with breakfast. My Avian vet recommended them.

 

[GaleriaGila]

GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, that bird is cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's the classic "Harrison's metho"...

Worked for me!
Here's what I use.
Harrison's Bird Foods
I feed Harrison's, supplemented by fresh healthy treats. My first, and later, my current avian vet recommended it. My bird loves the pellets now, but to get him converted, my avian vet suggested putting pellets out all day, and putting seeds (his old diet) out for two 15-minute periods a day. That would sustain him but leave him hungry enough to try new stuff. I presume the same technique could be used to get him to eat other healthy stuff, like fruits and vegetables! My guy was eating pellets in a couple of days, and now I can feed a good variety of other stuff, knowing he has the pellets as a basic. Pellets are out all day... fresh treats a few times a day. I also like Harrison's via mail because I never have to worry about out-of-date products.

And the ideas about flock-eating are great!

Also...
Another couple of ideas...
My ol' man is an athlete and health nut. He actually EATS all the good stuff, so it's always around. I find that tossing various stuff into the food bowls at random is good... the variations and differences seem to stimulate curiosity and attention.
The other idea... if you can stand it (lol) EAT the stuff in front of the birds, yes. That encourages them. I have also found that if my ol' man eats stuff in front of the bird, the bird WANTS it for himself. Kinda a rivalry thing!