Young Ringneck I just got

[Chris1]

Hey guys I've been reading these forums for a while but my 1st time posting. I have just got a young ringneck a few days ago. Hes about 8-9 weeks old now im guessing. Great bird love him to death but the only problem is he will only eat sunflower seeds. I have tried brocolli,corn,nuts,dates,other types of seeds,mangoes,apples etc etc but all he will eat are the sunflower seeds. Now I dont want to NOT give him the sunflower seeds and just all the other stuff incase he just wont eat any of it and starve himself. I think when he got weaned off the formula they weaned him off with just sunflower seeds now thats all he knows to eat. I'm just freakin out abit because I own a lori aswell and she will eat absolutely anything I put infront of her so i know she is a very healthy bird. Do you think maybe because the Ringneck is still a baby it doesn't want to try anything else and as it gets older it will open it's horizans? Any input will be great thanks guys. Oh and btw he has a white head with a baby blue body and white tail. Very cute bird

[Andie]

Congratulations on your new baby!!
I am not an expert, but here are my thoughts...

It is important to keep in mind that the baby bird has recently been through a lot of big changes. He will need time to settle in to your new house so he is likely falling back on his 'comfort food' like you or I might eat potato chips if we were nervous or scared.

In my opinion, lorikeets are some of the most adaptable birds and you may need to take things more slowly than you did with your lorikeet.

Originally Posted by Chris1

Do you think maybe because the Ringneck is still a baby it doesn't want to try anything else and as it gets older it will open it's horizans?

This is also very likely. Just keep offering the bird different foods in different ways. Try hanging food, blending food, dicing food, weaving it through the bars of the cage. Also, try taking out the sunflowers during the day time maybe every second day. It will not starve in 5-6 hours and it is going to have no choice in tasting the new veggies.

Longterm, you could look at budgie seed which has no sunflower seed and save the sunflowers for treats.

Are you going to try and get the bird to eat pellets instead of seed? If you do, you know for sure that you have a training treat that he will love!!

When you can, we would all love to see of your new friend.

[Chris1]

Hey thanks for the reply. Iv'e made progress with little sky. I got a few of the pellets today and rolled them around in the lorikeets dry food (It's pretty sweet cause of the nectar etc) and he ate them! So maybe in a few days he will be eating pellets without the powder on them, who knows i guess well wait and see.

[Andie]

It is great that he is eating some pellets now! That solves the sunflower problem!

Just keep offering fresh food and his curiosity should get the better of him eventually!

[Chris1]

Ya definately. He hates my lori though. All my Lori wants to do is play with him lol

[rewki]

Your baby needs time to adjust to his beeing weaned and to being in new surroundings. Give it time and all will be fine your Lori is probably thrilled tohave a companion to play with and perhaps your baby had been isolated from contact with other birds. As for foods, try making a bit of a warm cereal from ground corn flour, water, add some quinoa seeds along with sesame and chop finely a fresh natural peanut. Offer your baby a non roasted frash peanut in the shell and see how it takes to that. Good luck keep us posted with updates and post a pic or two when you get the chance.
Rebecca in Israel

[Chris1]

I tried that cereal recipe you told me and he loves it! thankyou very much :D He is also eating apple now. So much progress in one day.

[rewki]

Originally Posted by Chris1

I tried that cereal recipe you told me and he loves it! thankyou very much :D He is also eating apple now. So much progress in one day.

You will be surprised at the changes which take place quickly and on a daily basis. These are observations you should photograph or film. It is like watching a child grow up, from newborn just crying and eating and ..... to opening eyes, which was at the 10 day point (for birds that is) and seeing each day with a new and wonderful wonder. The cereal mixture I give my birds every second or third day for breakfast and any day that it is rainy outside, also living in Israel we have an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies all year roung. Check out JimPierce7 and his recipes for sprouts and breads etc. If you like you can mix in an egg, crushed shell and all for extra calcium intake. Always use boiled water and allow to cool before feeding your birds. Haute Cuisine for Birds. !!! LOL
Rebecca in Israel.