Can't get them to eat their Veggies!

[SweetPea]

I've been trying and trying.

And still I can't get them to eat anything but their seeds/pellet mix.

I read and tried practically all the tips and tricks, and still they remain stubborn.

However, I have a plant, that they love to nibble it.

I looked up the plant, and its considered "safe."

Should I just keep letting them eat this plant if it means them getting some fresh greens in their diet? Even if it's not like say "typical?"

[Cheeky beaks]

I had trouble for a long time, I cooked, shredded, hid and begged and finally most of them are eating them. If you don't mind them eating your plant what about tieing some fresh veg. to it. They just have to get a tast to find they like it. Just a thought. I also make casseroles using things I know they like and strain some of the veg I know they don't into it. If they want what they do like they are going to have to lick that awful stuff off that they don't. It works. Joan

[SweetPea]

WOW! Five Years?!!?!?!?

Now, THAT'S stubborn!

I've baked, skewered, shredded, chopped, dice, sprinkled seeds on top, fed inside their cage, away from their cage, everything... No AVAIL!

They're definitely not afraid of it.. I don't think they're scared of ANYTHING.

Sometimes, I even pretend it's a toy and use a piece of veggie and play with them with it, and if they happen to "nip" it by accident, you would think that I poisoned them or something! They'll quickly run to the nearest perch and vigorously wipe their beaks off!

[danforth3]

A company called "Just Tomatoes" offers dried veggies and fruits (no preservatives or additives) and I mix that into the seed/pellet mix. I still offer fresh, so far with no results, but in the meantime I know they care getting some of the nutrients from the dried veggies and fruits. Mine love the "Just Veggies Hot" (mixture of all types of veggies).

Keep offer the fresh. You could try to either shred it as suggested or dice it very small. A lot of seed eating birds do not like the texture of fresh, but they love the crunchiness of dried. You can dry veggies yourself, by putting in an over on love (about 150/200 degrees) unitl dried. Place on a cooky sheet (I used to line mine with baking parcment) and back until dried (don't remember the time it took sorry). (Can't do so right now, oven's on the blink and I'm looking for a new one but since I rarely use the oven I'm in no rush).

[Shelia D]

I have been working on this for two years every morning seven days a week. Nikki is very picky eater. I was having a lot of waste so last month I got a juicer and I make me a glass for lunch each day. Well guess what he loves it I do worm it with a little worm water or chamomile tea :eusa_danc . I use to get happy if he would just pick it up and throw it :icon_eek: .

A little of subject If any one sees that I call him a she will I just found out this week that she is a he poor baby has been called a girl all his life. :aiwebs_01 Eyes are brown.

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by SweetPea

I've been trying and trying.

And still I can't get them to eat anything but their seeds/pellet mix.

I read and tried practically all the tips and tricks, and still they remain stubborn.

However, I have a plant, that they love to nibble it.

I looked up the plant, and its considered "safe."

Should I just keep letting them eat this plant if it means them getting some fresh greens in their diet? Even if it's not like say "typical?"

NO! And again, NO(I'm sorry, I don't mean to shout at you but this really scared me)...just because a plant is considered 'safe' does not mean it's ok for a bird to just eat it!! It means the bird will not die if ingesting some part of it. You really should find something else that your bird likes to eat, NOT a house plant. Ohhhhhhh, it scares me to think. Please don't let your little one eat any more of it ok?
Linda & HRC~

[Vega]

Have you tried mixing mushed veggies in with the seed/pellet mix? Start with a little cooked sweet potato mashed up and kinda spread over their favorites. As they get used to it you can add more to the mix.

Also, do they eat from your plate? If you haven't already, try putting the "good stuff" on your dinner plate and let them watch YOU eat it, of course the whole time you'll have to make sounds of pure joy. LOL I hate veggies myself, but choked a few down to get my conure interested.

[Tiki]

My tiels aren't great veggie eaters but they do like broccoli and corn on the cob, at least that's something!

[SweetPea]

Hmmm... mashing seems like a good idea!

I havent tried mashing!

Thanks!

Will try that tonight!

I heard "starving" a bird is not recommended? For instance, removing all seeds/pellet mix, and only offerring fresh to see if they'll eat the fresh?

They always have access to their pellet/seed mix, and their daily "treats" (Avicakes, Nutriberry, sprig of millet, etc.)

Should I remove this while only offer them fresh food?

(My Fids throw tantrums if their routines are interrupted though.)

[danforth3]

IMHO no you should not remove their daily diet while attempting to get them to eat fresh foods.