i would like some advice about some arrogant bird owners

[GoldenPhoenix]

my neighbors bought a Quaker for their 5-7 year onld child. All they feed him is sunflower from the natural store, they don't feed him bird food but just sunflower. I try to visit him(Rocky) as often as possible, his poop is light green and runny, i fear he has the fatty liver, let me note that this family bought the kid a cocketiel about 2 years about and it died in about a year and a half. How do i tell them to feed thier Quaker fresh fruits and veggies as well as a formunated seed diet? they won't listen to me. I want to save rocky from them, since he's taken to me. he talks to me. but anyway, help to save this poor birdies life.

[fluffy_stitch]

maybe give them a batch of good food for the bird and they might decide to change his diet if they see him enjoying the new food?

[Quinroxox]

introduce them to pellets and tell them the health benafits and how sunflower seeds are not high enoug in anything for a complete diet.

[ndeben]

Get samples from different companies and give to them.

[lisark]

My advice? Talk to them with the kid there. Give them a bag of the good stuff and hand it directly to the kid.

Maybe if their child is nagging at them to buy good food they will listen.

[cbalvino]

How about a book on proper bird care? if they are doing sunflower seeds as the diet,imagine what else they are doing!!!!

[KDK241]

Tell them that if they feed him a pelleted diet it will be less messy and less waste. I don't know too many people with a bird that aren't happy about less mess. Ask them if they want to break their kid's heart by having this bird die as well. Bring it up nicely in a "You know, I was reading on the internet about birds and they said that pellets are really healthy for them and a lot less messy" kind of way. Pellets would be cheaper as well since birds usually don't eat as much as when they are on all seed. Plus, I know the price of sunflower seeds have been going up (at least here) and pellets cost about the same price. The book is a good idea but if they don't care enough to find out or feed the proper diet for the bird they probably won't read the book either. Get the kid on your side.

[becca623]

I have a relative like that. She refuses to bathe her bird, his water is always dirty and the bowl is too small for him to use for bathing, feeds him only sunflower seeds and millets, and won't give him toys because her last one didn't like toys. (eye roll) Anyway, I gave her pellets, cooked mash, birdie bread, bought a book about tiels for her, and washed the dust off his mirror (which she then complained made him too noisy). I give him fresh water whenever I visit. It doesn't do any good because she has had birds her entire life so she knows what's best. Plus, "he's spoiled". (She's in her 70s) Then she complains that they don't live long enough.
I say offering some good foods to them and speaking directly to the child about the importance of proper diet and care are a good start. Maybe you can convince the child to take up the better diet cause. Like one of the previous posters said the parents are more likely to listen to a nagging child than a kind hearted neighbor. If they still won't take better care of the bird maybe they'll "unload" it on to you. I know a man who got one of his green cheeks that way. Anyway, just know that you are doing your best. It's all you can do.
Good luck, Rebecca

[GoldenPhoenix]

thanks for the advice

[wildirish]

You might also print out some simple "bird care" pages. Nothing too overwhelming, just basic info about food, toys ect and the other suggestions about samples of pellets are great!!!