What are U2's favorite foods - finicky juvenile

[Elena]

I'm looking for some advice from our Cockatoo experts. We have a baby/juvenile U2 (20 weeks old) who has always been a fussy eater. He offer him Scenic Jungle Mix and the apple pellet is Archie's favorite of the four flavors in the mix. He more grazes. Of course he loves his warmed hand-weaning pellets.... And always eager for them. While we were hand-raising him, he did not demonstrate any interest for the fresh veggies or fruits we offered him - maybe I had not found the right stuf - who knows.

Well, Archie is now in his permanent home with is new flock leader, Barbara and I got a call today from Barbara because Archie is begging and not interested in eating much.

Questions - what are your cockatoo's favorite foods? What foods do you give a cockatoo to broaden their food selection... I understand Cockatoos are carnivores - do you find this to be true?

Thanks for your guidance.

Elena

 

[parrotqueen]

Well Elena, I honestly think that cockatiels are pretty closely related. They are in fact, part of the Cacatuidae family (cockatoos). So, I hope you don't mind if I tell you my boys' favorite foods so far:

Vegetables:
Steamed broccoli
Cooked long-grain brown rice
Cooked sweet potatoes
Raw spinach
Lettuce

For fruit, they don't really like much:
Mandarin oranges
Mott's natural applesauce (blueberry, strawberry, country berry, you name it!)
Navel oranges
And the occasional apple slice

That's about it, and it seems they favor most vegetables over fruit. I hope this helps!

 

[antoinette]

Well Elena, I honestly think that cockatiels are pretty closely related. They are in fact, part of the Cacatuidae family (cockatoos). So, I hope you don't mind if I tell you my boys' favorite foods so far:

Vegetables:
Steamed broccoli
Cooked long-grain brown rice
Cooked sweet potatoes
Raw spinach
Lettuce

For fruit, they don't really like much:
Mandarin oranges
Mott's natural applesauce (blueberry, strawberry, country berry, you name it!)
Navel oranges
And the occasional apple slice

That's about it, and it seems they favor most vegetables over fruit.

Wow with a menu like that, could I please move in.....
Great to know there is a wonderful variety available

 

[Elena]

Thanks for your feedback - I'll pass your list on to Archie's new mom!!!!! And file away for my personal future reference for the next time we have the pleasure of hand-raising another U2 baby for a customer.

Elena

 

[Montu's Mom]

Hi Elena, I have a GW macaw who also weaned pretty slowly.....UNTIL I became more creative in my offerings. Maybe these tips will help:

1) Try hanging chunks of veggies on skewer with leafy greens intertwined (this makes a fun toy for them to destroy, and eventually they realize it's also tasty!)

2) Try a cooked wild rice and bean mix (the soft texture seemed more appealing than the dry hard pellets to Montu, but the size is equivalent to pellets and a good transition)

3) I also prepared morning oatmeal, added a small amount of cinnamon, and mixed in Zupreem pellets)

4) I make "chop" a FABULOUS idea I found while researching, and he LOVES it! I can let you know what I use in my chop recipe if you like, but here's the website:

The Chop Blog Parrot Nation

I give him "chop" everyday, and hang veggie toys as well. He started refusing hand-feedings when I added in the "chop," and now enjoys his pellets, fresh food, and nuts.

 

[parrotqueen]

'Chop' sounds like an awesome idea. Thank you for sharing!

Elena, I tried something new today. I steamed a big batch of carrots (I normally serve them raw), and chopped them. The boys couldn't stay out of it! Tell Archie's new mom to give this a shot.

 

[idahogems]

Buddy's favorite foods:

vegetables - he loves them raw!
carrots, broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, celery, kale leaves, cauliflower, asparagus - I am sure there are more, I just can't think of them!

Fruit - he is not so fond of:
apples and bananas (greener the better, he doesn't like mushy)

Other-
plain mashed potatoes (loves them), plain/cooked cream of wheat or oatmeal, scrambled egg

He is an adventurous soul with food (not toys). Always eying everything I make and place on the table!

 

[Mel]

My cockatoo loved pasta, hard-boiled egg with Cayeene pepper mushed up with shell, bok-choy and a whole apple on a skewer to munch through during the day. My baby Eclectus wont eat her F & V if there's other stuff to choose from so I feed them 1st thing in the morning when she's really hungry with nothing else on offer until I go to work (usually 2-3 hrs later) it seems to be working ... for now

 

[Mel]

1) Try hanging chunks of veggies on skewer with leafy greens intertwined (this makes a fun toy for them to destroy, and eventually they realize it's also tasty!)

I missed this one when reading the thread GREAT idea.. I think I'll give this a go too

 

[Mel]

Just put the skewer in... Shadow is loving it. She usually goes nuts when I put the spouts in her cage, she is having so much fun with the skewer she didn't even notice

 

[doodadz]

My toos are my most adventurous eaters. I fill their salad bowls up every day w/celery, carrots, pasta-cooked and not, bananas, peas, squash, just whatever is there, on sale, etc. I cover it w/collards-cheap in a bag-so that it gives them something to throw/do. they will eat or play with just about anything...and if it keeps them happy or at least not plucking i don't care. i also did the "watch the mama eat this" game...works great....variety is the name of the game, and vary raw vs cooked.