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Post by lisamarie on Nov 14, 2013 2:48:25 GMT
B & C never eat pellets, even when I do a ratio of pellets to seed. Just an hour or so ago, I put only pellets in their dishes, and literally only a SPRINKLE of seeds. They both pecked all the seeds out. Then I panicked and put a thick layer of seeds on top in one of there dishes because I won't be home all day tomorrow and I was nervous that they wouldn't eat the pellets, then starve. :/ Any advice?
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Post by Sarah on Nov 14, 2013 2:51:47 GMT
What you are doing is okay, Lisa. I wouldn't leave them alone without seed, but its okay for them to get at least a little bit hungry. I really suggest giving them a small amount of pellets with a splash of seed in the morning of a day you can be home the whole time and let them get hungry enough to try the pellets once they've stuffed their faces with all the seed. If they start to puff up or look sluggish, you'll know its time to add a few more seeds. This isn't cruel - you know how you get just a little chillier when you are really, really hungry but it's not quite dinner time? That's what they would be feeling. And you would be there to relieve them if they get to that point.
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Post by dianapalmer on Nov 14, 2013 2:55:15 GMT
I don't think you need to stress out about it. Leave the seeds in, since you are not going to be at home. When you're home, return to pellets and a few seeds, and sometimes just pellets for a couple of hours. I think yours are still young birds? You have time to continue transitioning them. I think you'll find they will start eating the pellets when you are at home. Good luck : ).
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 14, 2013 2:56:35 GMT
Well they got puffy, that is why I panicked. Little did I know that it was pretty much "bedtime" for them, and they're both now asleep. I will have to try a new approach though.
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Post by Pammy on Nov 14, 2013 5:26:51 GMT
Lisa, one thing I know you are not is cruel! You are a sweet, loving, careful birdie mama.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 14, 2013 12:45:03 GMT
Aw thanks Pammy!  I just really want to switch them over to pellets! |
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Post by Emily on Nov 14, 2013 15:01:15 GMT
That's how I feel when I take out their main source of seeds and put in a veggie or fruit sprinkled with only a few seeds for an hour. I ended up putting a layer of mushed veggies (carrots) over their source of seed and they had to forage for the seeds but ended up eating the carrots too. What type of pellets do you use again?
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 14, 2013 16:26:24 GMT
I have eCOTRITION complete for parakeets but I also have a brand from KAYTEE (no dyes - it's plain brown) very small pellets that say for cockatiel that Lucy enjoys so I've been trying that too for them
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Post by MangosMama on Nov 14, 2013 16:30:36 GMT
I am using (well actually wasting) Roudybush nibles! I too am mixing the pellets in with seed and only the seed is getting eaten  Not quite sure what to do either. I would love for Mango to want to eat the pellets as I am having a hard time with fresh fruits and veggies too. Mango is still very young but stubborn too! haha! |
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Post by Emily on Nov 14, 2013 17:51:28 GMT
You could try to soak the pellets in warm water for a bit? You'd have to change it though for bacteria reasons. It may be a different form they like though. I think Sarah's budgies liked dropping pellets in water before eating.
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Post by Pammy on Nov 14, 2013 18:09:53 GMT
I mix a cereal spoonful of pellets (I use Roudybush crumbles) into about 1/3 of a jar of babyfood veggies and it makes a mushy food that my budgies really chow down on. They love it. In fact, they are going to town on it right now. This time I used the chicken and mixed vegetables kind, but normally I use either carrots, sweet potatoes or green beans. They like those flavors best. They are really liking this one with the chicken this morning. I've tried babyfood peaches and mangos, and mine just don't like the fruits the way they do the vegetables.
I want to point out that fresh produce would be a much healthier choice, of course, but my boys will not eat fresh veggies. They do eat babyfood veggies. My feeling is that babyfood veggies are better than no veggies.
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Post by Pammy on Nov 14, 2013 18:11:26 GMT
I do plan to start back up with offering fresh produce once Mistletoe gets here, and have high hopes that when Kringle & Clausy see her getting something special, they will be prompted to eat it, too.
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Post by dianapalmer on Nov 14, 2013 18:59:49 GMT
Pammy,
I am sure that baby vegetables are much better than no vegetables!
I hadn't realized how lucky I am that P&S eat grated fresh carrots and mashed sweet potatoes.
I'm trying some parsley today, mixed in with fresh carrots.
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Post by rdkntriker on Nov 14, 2013 19:15:33 GMT
In no way are you cruel. It is like raising a Child, at times you must make them eat the right foods. Lucky is turning out to be a little picky, but lately veggies and/or fruit mashed and mixed with some seeds seems to be working. Much like Pammy does except I mash the food vs baby food. Tomorrow I am going to hang some spinach in the cage after getting it real wet and see if she will nibble at it. Hang in there and you will get them to eat as you hope for.
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Post by lisamarie on Nov 15, 2013 4:46:14 GMT
Ugh I don't know what to do! They won't TOUCH pellets!
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Not quite sure what to do either. I would love for Mango to want to eat the pellets as I am having a hard time with fresh fruits and veggies too. Mango is still very young but stubborn too! haha!
