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Hi
Apr 3, 2016 21:49:21 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Hannah on Apr 3, 2016 21:49:21 GMT -5
Hi I just adopted a Quaker yesturday from my shelter, his name is Ollie and is 6 years old. I just got him to eat now, I tried cockateil, conure & budgie food, but he likes the budgie seed most. Has anyone had this problem? I'm giving him pellets also
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Post by easttex on Apr 4, 2016 5:41:42 GMT -5
I don't think it's unusual that he didn't eat at first. He's got to be very stressed out right now. This is one of the difficulties with rescue birds - you often have no idea what their previous life was like, and it can take a lot of trial and error to find what they'll eat. He's been through a lot, so giving Ollie what he will eat is best for now, but you don't want to give him a lot of seed in the long run. They have a lot of fat and the nutrition is limited. Keep offering pellets. You might have to experiment a bit with them. Color, shape, and especially size sometimes make a big difference. If he avoids them, you can try soaking them in a little bottled water or unsweetened fruit juice. You should also give him cooked or fresh veggies and a small amount of fruit. You can share some of your own food, but strictly limit the salt and sugar. Never give him alcohol, chocolate, or avocado. I give my birds something called Worldy Cuisine which mixes various things like rice, lentils, couscous, veggies, nuts, spices, etc. They get that in the evenings, and they both love it. Parts of it, anyway.  Parrots are usually suspicious of new things, so it's important to keep offering them, even when they appear to have no interest. It took Peppy months to try a pumpkin seed. |
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Apr 4, 2016 8:48:58 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Apr 4, 2016 8:48:58 GMT -5
Welcome! Easttex has given you good advice. Just wanted to say hello and thank you for rescuing that little guy. Always good to hear about parrots being rescued |
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Apr 4, 2016 16:38:00 GMT -5
Post by julianna on Apr 4, 2016 16:38:00 GMT -5
Welcome Hannah and Ollie... So kind of you to adopt the little guy. It takes a lot of work to be a parent of a Quaker... but I am sure you are up to it... cause I can tell you have a kind heart.
You will find this bird different from many other birds... so if you have any questions or concerns... please do not hesitate to ask any questions you have on this forum. You will find it very helpful... just like I did when I first got my little Oscar.
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Apr 4, 2016 18:40:47 GMT -5
Post by Holly on Apr 4, 2016 18:40:47 GMT -5
Hi Hannah, I am a new Quaker mummy as well, my Norman wouldn't eat for a while at first too but he is now loving his seed, I am trying to transition him to pellet but it's a VERY slow process and veggies! This forum has been great, everyone is more than happy to help |
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Apr 5, 2016 7:03:40 GMT -5
Post by PaScuba on Apr 5, 2016 7:03:40 GMT -5
Hola Hannah and Ollie and welcome to the forum. It's been my experience that if you only provide pellets, when Ollie is hungry enough, he will eat them. Please make sure that you have an open water dish so he can dunk the pellets into the water to soften them. You may not see Ollie do this, but the evidence of the pellets should be seen in the bottom of the water dish. For training and/or a treat, I give Lola one bunch of millet spray. I take the stalk of millet spray and pull off each little bunch of seeds. When the bunch is big (between a 1/4" and 1/2" or approximately 1cm), I break it into two bunches. And note that just a couple or few individual seeds is enough reward when training. You want the student to consume the treat quickly so s/he may perform more behaviors within the training time. I'll post some pics and/or a video as soon as I figure out how. |
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Parrots are usually suspicious of new things, so it's important to keep offering them, even when they appear to have no interest. It took Peppy months to try a pumpkin seed.
