advise needed please

[harmon521]

I am trying without success to ween an avairy African grey off seed and on to healthy veg etc.he is an older bird and very set in his ways.i am reluctant to remove his seed completely but even when i mix the seed with a veg pulp he does not touch it.I having been trying for about 6 months now and no further than I was the first day.
am I being too soft and giving in too easily?.im afraid because I don't know how much weight he can afford to lose if he stops eating .i say again he is an avairy bird ,hands on is a total no no to him.
any advise would be gratefully received.thanks Ann

[Eric&Rebecca]

One thing you can try is weaning onto pellets, if he's just not eating it and you've been trying for that long you HAVE to get nutrition in him another way. Pellets are dry, but when you offer the pellets the dryness MAY encourage him to start eating more juicy things like fruit and vegetables for the moisture. I've heard others speak about this happening before although i'm not sure how well it would work and overtime this would be harmful to his kidneys if he's not deriving mositure from other places. TOPS are a good brand as they are 100% organic with no artificial vitamins or anything.

Failing this you need to try different textures so grated, cubed, etc. Its not always blended or whole but also the shape of the food and what foods. Try lots and lots of different things. You can also try things like brown rice or cooked and soaked grains and beans which are similar to seed in shape but better nutrition. Its not all about fruits and veggies but also grains and pulses and certain beans.

If this still isn't working you will need to consult an avian vet or behaviourist... perhaps there is a medical reason why. It took me longer than that to get my cockatiel to eat fresh foods and eat pellets. e eats everything now!

Also try putting the food in different places not just in his bowl... sometimes its where the food is more than what it is.

Or try eating some yourself, bet you he gets curious and starts picking at it because you're eating it. Don't offer him the same piece becausr your saliva is toxic and harmful but let him eventually take something from your plate... this works a treat too!

Or you can try baking the fruits and veggies into birdie bread as a treat, once he's tasted it he may find he likes it. Try offering seeds once in the morning for an hour and then in the evening for one hour. The rest of the day only NEW foods should be available. Worked wonders for my cockatiels and has worked for other birds.

[harmon521]

thank you for the advise,I will take it inboard and try your ideas.it was an avian vet who told me to try to change his diet,so apart from being stubborn he is healthy.its funny the personalities,my other grey will eat anything you give to her.thank you and if you don't mind can I pick your brains from time to time.thanks again,ann

[Eric&Rebecca]

Of course... there's so many different things you can do. The AV is right seed diet not good for any bird, especially a grey. Just try... try sweet potatoe mashed or maybe brown rice, brocolli and chilli powder that's amazing!