How can I make Bundy's life better?

[damooster]

When I first got Bundy (my male plet), we had a great time together. But now things have gotten a bit routine, and it's my fault really. I recently became a Catholic and I have been joining all of these different Catholic organizations. My time with Bundy has thus suffered; when he does get time to come out of the cage, all he does is sit on my shoulder for a few minutes and then flies back to his cage.

He's also addicted to seeds and nothing else. I buy him some of the Beak Appetit stuff when I can, but he never finishes the whole thing before I have to throw it away after a week, so it's pretty wasteful. I'd like to find some home made recipes that I can make to give him so that he doesn't get bored with his seed.

I'd like to play with him at least once an hour a day. Do you guys have any recommendations on what we can do? I will obviously train him to do stuff, but I don't know where to start. He knows step up and can say some words, but that's about it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Shutterbugmom]

My new little bird is "picky," but she loves this:

Sweet potato (cook in microwave and then mash)
Wild rice (boil on stove)
greens (whatever you have. last time I used celery leaf tops.)
Oats (add oats last so they don't get too mushy.)
A bit of crushed slivered almonds
Anything else you can think of. :)

I handrolled some 25 little balls out of this mixture, and froze them. It 's easy to take one out to heat.

As far as activities...I'm going to start clicker training as soon as my book and clickers come in. As long as I don't push her beyond her attention span, the training will be good bonding time since I will be giving her treats. :)

[Sally]

What is his cage like? Does he have toys and perches on top? Playgyms to fly to? Do you have nice snacks in different places? Chipper gets yummy sweet potato on top of her cage in a little dish.

There are SOOOOO many wonderful foods you can make and give to him so he will not get bored.

Try this link. http://www.parrotsontheporch.com/cgi...xact_match=yes

Chipper loves soaked seeds. Follow directions, they germinate and they are nurtritious that way.

Sweet potato and carrots, whole wheat pasta, bits of strawberry, the inside seed area of green peppers... so many things.

I make a cookie with whole wheat flour, parrotlet seed, Roudybush pellets, eggs and shell, oatmeal and water. I mix it all up and cook. Chipper loves them!!!! You can add anything you want.

They love plain oatmeal too, cooked.

Try to spend time reading a kids book to him, singing, etc. I read and sing to Chipper before bedtime. I then play a music box for her.

Just make more time for him, they really need us.

Here is Chipper and her book.





Here is Chipper's mansion. They need a lot of fun toys and perches.


Chipper has about five playgym's. Here is one. I change them and she loves that.

[damooster]

Originally Posted by Sally

What is his cage like? Does he have toys and perches on top? Playgyms to fly to? Do you have nice snacks in different places? Chipper gets yummy sweet potato on top of her cage in a little dish.

He does not seem to like having anything on top of the cage, but I will try to gradually introduce some toys up there. I will do the same for snacks.

Question about all those toys: do you clean them like weekly and then rotate them around the cage? Bundy seems to hate me moving his toys, but he also gets bored with toys when they aren't rotated. I'm just trying to get an idea of how other plet owners rotate and introduce new toys.

Thanks.

[Sally]

I have had Chipper over three years so I know her really well. There are a couple I can change, but most of them need to STAY! She has her very favorites and a "Bead Forest" with a grouping of wood and stringe toys. She loves this area. Things are just the way she wants them.

I DO change her playgyms. That is fine with her. I have one on the table that she flies to. Also, in our home office, I keep a little gym there for the times I am in there.