My CAG won't eat any fresh fruits or veggies!

[girly]

I've had her for almost four months now, and I haven't given up but I'm curious-is it ok if they eat no fresh fruits or veggies?

Every single day I try putting them in her food bowl, but immediately upon seeing them, she tosses every piece right out of the bowl before she begins eating the other stuff. shouldn't I give up by now?

[SallyQZ]

My grey was like that for a long time. Especially with veggies - he liked the fruit better. So I'd chop the veggies up into itty bitty pieces, almost veggie dust. Then I'd mix it in his regular food, thinking that as he picked through his dish, he might get some veggies in his mouth and get used to the taste.

So, he's a bit better now. He'll sample the veggies, but he still chucks a lot of it out. I figure he's entitled to have his likes and dislikes. But he absolutely LOVES pasta, esp. spaghetti. And he's learned to really like the soaked bean/pea mixture too. So don't give up hope!

[girly]

My girl loves pasta too, but when she had the yeast infection, I was told to keep her off it. I'd love to put her back on a little pasta, but I'm afraid.

[birdlover912]

Have you tried Beak Appetit cooked bird foods? They have veggies finely ground in them, as well as grains, nuts, and such. This way your bird still gets the nutrients from the veggies that she doesn't know she is eating! You could also try adding in small chunks to the cooked meal to encourage her to try them.

Have you tried dried, steamed, or cooked veggies and fruits? Some birds prefer a certain consistancy, so try offering fresh foods in as many ways as possible. Try big chunks, cubed pieces, slices, chopped, or whole. Try offering them in different dishes in and outside the cage, hang foods from the ceiling, or slip them through the bars--treating veggies and fruits as toys can spike their intrest in them. Many birds like to forage, and will readily accept the food reward from foraging toys, even if they are unfamiliar with it. Maybe they don't want their work to go to waste, but hiding new foods has helped my guys to try them.

[girly]

Oh, she eats plenty of cooked veggies for her morning meal. I give her defrosted and heated frozen veggie mix. Her poops all morning are loose from all the veggies!

thanks so much for your advice though, I've got to try it.

[MissV]

I have issues with my Sun eating fresh fruits (she usually switches her favorite food and then never wants to try anything else!)

Someone linked somewhere else to this site: http://www.parrotenrichment.com/foodtoys.html

I think I'm going to try making up some food toys and see if she doesn't approach that better. Maybe the food just isn't fun enough for her!