Worried About Bee-Bee Parakeet in pet store

[Ashilde]

Syd was seed fed when I got him. It took a while both for him to understand what veg/pellets was and for me to see what he actually liked. Try eating some in front of him and making a great show of how good it is, then if he shows interest offer it from your hand. Syd took great delight in throwing anything he didn't approve of out of the cage and at me if he got the chance.

One day I put his veg in with him and hid. He made sure I wasn't looking and promptly munched away happily. The little toad - I saw the other side of him that day. Now he eats veg first then pellets. Seeds are an occasional treat and sunflower seeds are very rationed for training. I was told they are like feeding him beefburgers.

It's very early days and once the honeymoon period is over don't be surprised for the occasional backward step. Just take it all very slowly making sure each step is acceptable to him before moving on. You'll get there. What a great job you have done in getting home. Good luck!

Just another thought it might be a good idea to have him checked over by an avian vet just to make sure he's in good shape.

Eating in front of him definitely worked! He basically wants whatever I want and stole a piece of a cherry from me the other day (made sure it was pitted). He also likes throwing his sprouted stuff at me, but still having hopes he'll eat it one day.



Also taking him to the vet was the first thing I did and he got a clean bill of health - heart and lungs sounded good! He does have a bit of bronzing going on, but I think it might have been from his crappy seed diet, being in a small enclosure, and the possibility of an upcoming molt. The vet did point out a little bruise between his nostrils where it looked like he lightly bonked his noggin, which after seeing how clumsy he is I have guesses how it occurred.



I wonder if all bee-bees are this derpy and clumsy? He missteps and drops his food alot, but maybe it's just he has a bigger cage with different toys and perches and it's a matter of exercise and getting used to new surroundings? I try to space everything to take into account his size, but still.

 

[wrench13]

Ours was pretty adept at hanging by one toe and doing all sorts of acrobatics. Great he got a clean bill of health from the doc.