My Cockatiel Eats Seeds Only. Will it be Okay??

[SunLight31]

My cockatiel doesn't eat veggies or fruits. Show no interest in it. May cockatiel also does not eat pellets at all, but only seeds. Will it die at early age due to malnutrition or fatty liver disease?

[Monica]

There's a good possibility that he will, but *some* birds have lived to a good age eating seeds only. Pellets can be a healthy part of the diet, but in small birds should not be more than 25% of the diet, 50% at best, since they are easily more prone to kidney problems. Fresh foods and sprouts *should* make up 25-75% of the diet.

[clawnz]

hi welcome to the forum.
My newbies were on a Budgie mix, that may have had some bearing on the state of health they were in. No outward signs, just not in top condition.
As Monica says a good mix is best, you just have to keep trying different things.
Present them in different ways.
My fav is bean sprouts, I have not had any luck yet getting them to try fresh sprouts, but they have tried the Dandilions, Milk Thistle, and Silverbeet

[Lady Kakata]

Most cockatiels are incredibly nosey animals, so if you just persevere then your bird should eventually go 'Oh hello, what's this?'. Even if it doesn't like something at first, if you keep going then eventually it will

I've only been feeding my 'tiels veg for about 1-2 years now, ever since I read about veg, and they get fresh veg every day. Try carrots and broccoli as most 'tiels seem to like this (Angel loves her brocolli and carrots). There are many things out there and each 'tiel has a preference. Offer then chopped or cooked, small enough so the 'tiel can get interested, and watch to see it's reaction

[tielfan]

Here are some tips for getting your bird to try new foods: Little Feathered Buddies Health & Nutrition It takes a long time to convince them to eat something new, but if you keep trying you will eventually succeed.

[Sue195350]

it took scooter about a year of offering her veggys before she tried green beans then it went to broccoli and corn. can't get her to eat carrots or sweet potatoes. scooter eats chopped veggys with us at the table because she is a one and only and we are her flock. And she loves stealing food off my plate.

[Milletman]

I chopped broccoli and carrots into a very fine mix, then sprinkled in a few seeds (not too many). As my bird picked out the seed to eat, she started tasting the veggies and seems to like them now. It took her awhile at first, and she seem most interested in them when my other bird (now passed away) ate them first. She seemed to like anything he was eating since she is somewhat competitive when it comes to food.

One other trick both birds seemed to enjoy is to suspend a large piece of broccoli from the top of the cage. They thought it was a toy and chewed it up quickly.

Best of luck!

[Angelsmum]

My sticky, a journal in the nutrition forum tells of my battle to get my tiel to eat well. It may give you some hints and tips. The main thing is always being consistent and not giving up. Mine now can't wait to get into the veges, grains etc. I like you, despaired of her seed diet.

[Akara Crystal]

I ate fruit and veges in front of my birds and put some in their cage. When they saw me eating it, they wanted to try it too. Maybe you should try that, to make them eat fruit and veges.

[LovelySydney]

I switched my bird from seeds (he was a seed junkie) to pellets by doing 50/50 and then slowly phasing out the seeds once I knew he was eating the pellets. It took roughly a month but its good to know he will be healthier. He eats fruits and veggies too so he has a good well rounded diet now!