Conure is addicted to apples. Won't eat anything else.

[ekongshavn]

Sooooo, Hello everyone!

My boyfriend really wanted a bird, he felt sad years after his budgie died.
So, we got a pearly conure! Beautiful bird!
She's about 8 months old, and we've had her for about 4 days and ALL she wants to eat is apples.
She is seriously an apple-addict.
Her "poop", or should I say pee? is mostly pee and a tiiiiny amount of poop.

Yesterday she also vomited apple, because apparently she ate a whole apple.
In the morning, her poop is firm and good. But during the day it's all watery.

She screams for apples, and won't eat unless it's apples.
She's also surprisingy very tame!

Seems like she's interested in sweet foods, so how can we give her more fibre in her diet?
Thanks in advance for answers!

[Wolf]

Not sure that it is the best way to go but you could try to soak her other food in apple juice, drain it and then give it to her so that it has an apple smell and taste to it.

[Harpmaker]

I agree with Wolf, and add that If she eats applesauce(no additives, of course!), you can mix just about anything into it.

If all she eats is actual raw apples, make her an apple "bowl"by coring one and stashing veggies inside. Maybe she'll think they're part of the apple. Use a little organic peanut butter to stick a plug in the bottom if you need to.

[Pajarita]

All parrots love apples so there is nothing unusual about her preference but you definitely need to add more variety to her diet so start by offering something that 'resembles' apples, like pears and water chestnuts, for example. My birds love corn on the cob (all of them without exception from the tiny finches to the cockatoos), blackberries, red papaya, mango, red and black grapes (greens not so much), pomegranate seeds, bananas, grape tomatoes, celery, cantaloupe and baked sweet potatoes - they eat more stuff but all the parrots go for these things. Try them and see what happens. But don't give up because she doesn't want them the first few times (she won't), just keep on trying.

[ekongshavn]

Not sure that it is the best way to go but you could try to soak her other food in apple juice, drain it and then give it to her so that it has an apple smell and taste to it.

Thanks alot for the advice! I've tried to add apple juice, she took a little bite but then started to scream and didn't want anymore. (High pitched "eagle" scream."
She's quiet picky, but very sweet.

[ekongshavn]

All parrots love apples so there is nothing unusual about her preference but you definitely need to add more variety to her diet so start by offering something that 'resembles' apples, like pears and water chestnuts, for example. My birds love corn on the cob (all of them without exception from the tiny finches to the cockatoos), blackberries, red papaya, mango, red and black grapes (greens not so much), pomegranate seeds, bananas, grape tomatoes, celery, cantaloupe and baked sweet potatoes - they eat more stuff but all the parrots go for these things. Try them and see what happens. But don't give up because she doesn't want them the first few times (she won't), just keep on trying.

She screams for apples, until we ignore her completely.
Tried to give her other fruit and veggies, but I guess she's just picky because she's still a baby? Oh well, she took a few bites of the pear I left in her food bowl - so that's a good start though!
Thanks anyway!

[Wolf]

If she took a few bites, it may not be much but it is a start, so keep on trying. You now have two things that she will eat. Try chopped up mango . Have you tried dried fruits to see if she will eat any of them?

Parrots are quite stubborn/ determined when they choose to be, so be patient and keep trying. If she is to be a healthy and happy bird you can't afford to let her win this one.

Since you have only had her for a few days, I think that I would also make a visit to the vet a priority, just to be safe. I don't have enough information and am not a vet either ,but something about this just doesn't seem to be right. I would rather be safe than sorry.

[JaydeParrot]

Try giving her a bowl containing mixed seed, chopped up vegetables and fruit (including apples), maybe she'll accidently find something in the variety that she likes besides apples, .

[ekongshavn]

Ahh late reply to almost everyone!

The vet said she was healthy and a happy bird!
She finally eats seeds and pellets, yay for not watery-poop!

Thank you all for food suggestions, really appreciate it!

[Wolf]

I am really happy that there is nothing wrong with you bird, but it is better to err on the side of caution, they are so precious. So she is now eating better ? You will just have to continue and be creative with her food and she will continue to start accepting new foods. Thanks for keeping us informed.