Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:35 pm Post subject: Another question about my new tiel
I appreciate all the advice I got down below!!!! So far, so good. Piper is less afraid than he was and I'm hopeful that things will work.
But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake.
For the past couple of days it seems like he's eaten continuously! Is it possible that this food isn't nutritious enough? Or should I limit how much he can have? At this rate he's going to be a blimp!!
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
On 6 Dec 2005 14:35:49 -0800, "MRose" <ethridm@hotmail.com.NOSPLAM> wrote:
Quote:
I appreciate all the advice I got down below!!!! So far, so good. Piper is less afraid than he was and I'm hopeful that things will work. But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake. For the past couple of days it seems like he's eaten continuously! Is it possible that this food isn't nutritious enough? Or should I limit how much he can have? At this rate he's going to be a blimp!!
Birds have much faster metabolisms than humans. They do tend to eat a lot. It could also be the case that he was not fed properly at the place you bought him from.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
On 6 Dec 2005 14:35:49 -0800, "MRose" <ethridm@hotmail.com.NOSPLAM> posted:
Quote:
I appreciate all the advice I got down below!!!! So far, so good. Piper is less afraid than he was and I'm hopeful that things will work. But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake. For the past couple of days it seems like he's eaten continuously! Is it possible that this food isn't nutritious enough? Or should I limit how much he can have? At this rate he's going to be a blimp!!
I believe you said in a previous post that he's eating less than recommended on the package. Eating frequently isn't the same as eating too much. My birds eat very little at a time, so they go back to their food cups and clips often during the day. Once he gets more active, you most likely won't have to worry about him eating too much or getting to be a blimp, as long as you're feeding a healthy diet. Don't give up on the fresh foods. Place the new food in a dish or clip it onto the side of the cage for a couple hours a day for a few days in a row. He'll eventually get curious and give it a try. You can also pretend to eat some of the new food as you stand in front of him. Our birds can't resist sampling some of what we have. Be patient!! Talking to him, being near him in an unthreatening way, eating in front of him, are the best ways to gain his trust. Becky
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
MRose wrote:
Quote:
I appreciate all the advice I got down below!!!! So far, so good. Piper is less afraid than he was and I'm hopeful that things will work. But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake. For the past couple of days it seems like he's eaten continuously! Is it possible that this food isn't nutritious enough? Or should I limit how much he can have? At this rate he's going to be a blimp!!
Birds eat a lot. You'd be surprised. The phrase "eats like a bird" may apply to humans but does not apply to birds. They eat 2-3 times their body weight to keep up the energy required to fly. Ever try to fly? It's not easy! However, that doesn't mean the food should be fat-laden. Cut back on the "snacks". Avi cakes and millet are snacks. I give my lovebird those about every 2 weeks. In the meantime she gets a carrot, a cabbage leaf or a kale leaf... a slice or two of apple... along with her regular pellet diet. Seeds are fatty and anything held together with honey, like Avicakes, is a treat, not a regular part of the diet. It's like giving a kid a basket of chocolates and then wondering if he/she will get fat if they eat it every day. Of course. Go in moderation. Do some reading about what is good for your bird. Lots of toys, too. Birds do love to play Jill
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:48 am Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
jmcquown wrote:
Quote:
MRose wrote: But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake.
Try giving him some pellets with grape nuts mixed in. Pretty Bird has one of the most palatable pellets out there. I've tried all kinds of pellets with all kinds of birds, and for some reason, they like Pretty Bird the best. Once you get him eating Pretty Bird, you can switch to some other kind. I know that people feel very strongly about their brand of pellets, and I don't want to start that discussion! It doesn't matter what kind of give him as long as he gets some pellets every day. Mixing in grape nuts is just a way to give him some more variety, and they're very nutritious.
Quote:
Cut back on the "snacks". Avi cakes and millet are snacks.
Avicakes contain pellets that, IF EATEN BY THE BIRD, are extremely nutritious. So I wouldn't cut back on the avicakes unless you are sure that he's not eating the pelleted portion of the avicake.
Quote:
I give my ----snipped--- >8
Again, much of avian nutritional "facts" are arguable at this point. I think Dr. Lefeber would argue that avicakes, if the pellets are eaten, constitute more than just treats. However, I agree that you must introduce new kinds of foods to the bird now, while he's young. Use clothespins (on the outside of the cage) to attach spinach to the (inside of the) cage and eventually he'll try some. My 'tiels always loved spinach. Try getting some frozen mixed veggies and nuking them before giving them to the 'tiel. Right now the most important thing is not to get the best fresh veggies into the bird, but to get the bird eating other things. It'll be easier for him to try the little chopped up mixed veggies because they're softer than fresh. Once he's hooked on frozen, you can switch if you like. There are also special foods you can buy and prepare for your birds that are warm, freezable and nutritious. I make bean mix that I get from Cuttlebone Plus on the web, and I mix in thawed frozen vegetables to a big batch. Then I put it in little bags and freeze them, taking one out every night and putting it in the fridge so that the next morning it only has to be nuked for a couple of seconds and voila! "Fresh" beans, carrots, broccoli, etc. My birds love it, but they didn't start out loving it. My cockatoo wouldn't touch it for a few weeks. Then I decided to do something that was very difficult. I put the bean mix in his cage one morning with pellets, and that's all he got. He got to choose--bean mix or pellets. I didn't care which. But no seed mix, no seeds in any form. I came home from work that day to a bowl of pulverized bean mix. He's loved it ever since, and now each morning my birds get only bean/veggie mix and pellets. In any event, don't worry too much about him eating too much. Have you taken him to a vet yet??? This is the most important thing you can do right now. You should get most of your nutrition questions answered by him/her. We (bird owners) all do it differently. You have to figure out what works for you, what you're comfortable with and what your bird thrives on. Try letting him sit with you at dinner and let him watch you eat. He'll be fascinated by the stuff on your plate, and he's bound to try some of it. Make sure you stay away from the no-nos, of which you've already been warned. I don't know too many parrots who can resist tomato sauce and pasta. . .! Lesley
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
Don't assume that just because he's eating a lot that he's gaining weight. The important thing is to check his weight, and/or check his breastbone. If the bird is constantly eating and losing weight, you have a problem. If he's gaining too much weight, he may have fatty liver disease.
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
In article <1133908548.939643.243570@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, "MRose" <ethridm@hotmail.com> wrote:
Quote:
I appreciate all the advice I got down below!!!! So far, so good. Piper is less afraid than he was and I'm hopeful that things will work. But, here's my latest question: How much should he eat? I'm feeding him a food recommended by the petstore that's a combination of seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, vegs and millet spray and an occasional Avi-cake. For the past couple of days it seems like he's eaten continuously! Is it possible that this food isn't nutritious enough? Or should I limit how much he can have? At this rate he's going to be a blimp!!
~~~~~~~ A varied diet is best. I've had birds for decades and what has worked best for my birds is a high-quality seed mix which incorporates various types of seeds, grains, dehydrated vegetables/fruits, etc., pellets mixed in. I am a big fan of Hagen brand seeds and all my birds thrive on their products. I also mix into my birds' seed mix Hagen 'Tropican' granules (pellets). Personally I don't believe a diet that excludes seeds is healthy. It's natural for a bird to eat seeds (how many "pellet trees" grow in the wild?) so, IMHO, you should always provide access to a quality, nutritious seed mixture. As well, offer other seed treats such as millet and Avi-cakes, fresh fruits and vegetables, (also cooked vegetables), cooked pasta and rice, hard-boiled and/or scrambled egg, and now and again bits of nutritious bread such as pumpernickel, salt-free crackers/rusks, and healthy breakfast cereals such as Cheerios, Harvest Crunch, etc. Some birds also enjoy nuts (salt-free), even bits of cheese, cooked chicken and tuna. It can take some time for a bird to get used to a new food so just keep offering it even though the food gets ignored time after time. Eventually the bird's curiosity will get the better of it and once the bird has sampled the new food, hopefully s/he'll realize how tasty it is. Make sure your bird has access to a cuttlebone and mineral block as well as fresh water daily. Best of luck with Piper and wishing you many years of happiness together. --- LindaA
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 4:01 am Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
It doesn't matter whether or not it's the same diet that the bird would eat in the wild. What matters is that the bird ends up eating something close to the nutritional equivalent of what s/he would eat in "the wild".
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
Am waiting for the book I ordered to arrive. I've cut back on the Avi cakes and today I offerred carrot and apple. Apparently he's a veggie lover 'cause he chose the carrot over the apple.
He's getting much more vocal and seems to have a sense of play - fortunately, or not, only with me, not with toys!!
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:55 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
I'll try the grape nuts, thanks. He devours the Avi cakes until there's absolutely nothing left, but still I guess I'll cut back a little and not give them EVERY day.
He's wanted attention all day today. I may have created a monster. I still haven't taken him out of the cage, but I will soon. Our house is very open and it'll be hard to contain him once he's out...
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
"MRose" wrote in message
Quote:
Am waiting for the book I ordered to arrive. I've cut back on the Avi cakes and today I offerred carrot and apple. Apparently he's a veggie lover 'cause he chose the carrot over the apple. He's getting much more vocal and seems to have a sense of play - fortunately, or not, only with me, not with toys!!
Kale (not spinach or lettuce) is an excellent source of calcium for a bird. Wash well and clip it to the side of the cage near a perch. Might take awhile for him/her to try it, but be persistent. Dave
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Another question about my new tiel
MRose wrote:
Quote:
Am waiting for the book I ordered to arrive. I've cut back on the Avi cakes and today I offerred carrot and apple. Apparently he's a veggie lover 'cause he chose the carrot over the apple. Peaches loves carrots! She also loves kale leaves and bits of fresh
broccoli. Apple (gala - she turns her nose up over green or red) comes in third.
Quote:
He's getting much more vocal and seems to have a sense of play - fortunately, or not, only with me, not with toys!!
Okay, get some wooden thimbles and thread them on a leather strip to hang in the cage. He'll go after them trying to pull them up the strip... or try to hang on the strip and eat it! I can send you some (dyed with non-toxic veggie dye) if you'd like. Jill
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