diet question

[Nafretiri]

I was wondering if anyone here feeds their lory/lorikeet bugs from the pet store?

Would you rather try the freeze-dried ones and add them to boiled water (which seems to be the consensus when i read about how to feed them insects)

Or do you think it is safe enough to try them with live meal worms, etc?

I don't know very much about adding insects to the diet, or if people even bother trying :P That's why I'm asking here first :) maybe someone knows a trick or two so I can make my boy happier with a fancy treat every now and then.

[Rahni]

I have never fed my lorikeets insects but I see no reason not to if they like them! Personally I would try the live mealworms, if you purchase them from a petshop/supply place then they will be very hygienic and clean.
I'm fairly certain that eating insects is instinctual and they know what to do with them (well Alfie did when he ate a wasp when no one was looking, he just chose the wrong insect because it stung his throat on the way down!)
I know some types of lories have quite a large amount of insects in their natural diets, so he may love them.

[Nafretiri]

thanks for the reply. I will let you know my result when I try him out on them :)

Your lories are beautiful, btw! We had a rainbow lorikeet at the pet shop I used to work for. Would you believe someone actually stole the poor guy/gal? :(

I pray everyday that they are treating him/her well

[Patti J]

I use a product called insectivore rearing mix. Its a powder. I have never been able to get mine to eat bugs outright, but this stuff has all the same benefits.

[Rahni]

Thanks, they are little clowns in looks and behaviour that's for sure. Im very jealous you have a black lory, they are very rare over her in Australia, and I have never seen one. I love the subtlety of their colours, and from what I have heard they have fantastic personalities!
Vetafarm has an insect replacement product, which apparently you can use to completely replace live insects in insecitvore's diets. Personally though if you can I would try the real ones.
Come to think of it I'm sure I've seen Keiko eating the tiny sugar ants that turn up occassionally, so yes please let us know how you go!

[Nafretiri]

Thanks, they are little clowns in looks and behaviour that's for sure

and i am quite jealous you have 2 fabulous lories with clownish personalities, when black lories are supposed to be ridiculously clownish :P really j/k

Jax just needs to get out of "matine season" behavior and he will be fine... i'm in the midst of crrecting him since i've been advised how to ._. being a "mate" to a bird is strange and frustrating sometimes haha

do you have any videos of your little lories goofing around?

[Rahni]

Oh yes I have many and one of these days I'm gonna upload them all!

In the meantime though here are two:

YouTube - Alfie the insane bird

Drummer Keets video by BirdsForBrains - Photobucket

[Nafretiri]

ahaha what goofballs :D I love them!