New boy not eating

[reenie]

Hi all. This is just my second post since getting my sweet little Stuart on Friday. He was only getting seed in the shop, so I put in seed in the mounted feeder, hung some millet, and chopped up some pepper, carrot and grape, which I put in a bowl on the bottom of his cage.

By Saturday morning he had eaten nothing, nor had he drunk any water. Eventually he ate some millet, but nothing else. I threaded a chunk of pepper, carrot and cucumber,a nd hung it near where he's been sitting, and replaced the bowl of chopped veg with fresh, but still he's only eaten millet.

I got concerned, so about 3ish on Saturday afternoon, I took his seed bowl and held it near to him....and he ate a few. I made sure he was watching when I put the bowl back in its holder, but he hasn't gone near it or the veg.

I've also wedged a slice of Apple next to the millet, and he seemed to have a tiny taste, but I can hardly see the amount that's eaten.

Next I've tried attaching another bowl of seed nearer the perch where he's been sat all day, but he's still not eating anything but the millet, and hasn't drunk any water.

I'm getting concerned....any suggestions? I have left it a couple of hours between each of the things I've tried.

[ffiscool]

As he’s so new, he’s still getting used to a massive change. I wouldn’t try the fruit and veg yet. Let him get used to where his seed pots are. I’d also leave him mostly be, other than putting in new seed and water for a few days. Sit quietly next to him talking. Blink slowly at him.

The millet is great so he’s having something but you don’t want him to get used to that too often

They don’t often eat or drink visibly in the early days. I’m sure he will soon.

[reenie]

Thanks for answering so quickly. I just feel like he doesn't seem to know where his food and water bowls are. He's hardly move from one bit of the perch. I'll not start worrying seriously for a couple of days. Thanks for your help.

[Hezz]

To help him settle into his new cage and not have to be watching everywhere, cover the top and sides of the cage with a sheet, leaving it open to view only from the front. This will help him feel more secure. Not so much eating, but drinking is a time when the little guys are at their most vulnerable, so it is possible that you won't see him drink for quite some considerable time. He will do it when you are not watching. If his seed and water containers are different to what he had at the store, and the seed is a different mix, all this can help confuse him as to what is food and water and where they are. You have done the right thing by showing him where the containers are. Likewise, if he has never been introduced to fruit and veggies before, he will not recognise them as food, it's another thing he needs to learn. For future reference, concentrate more on feeding veggies rather than fruit- they do not need the extra sugar found in fruits.

Try now putting his piece of millet spray in his seed bowl, so he can learn where all his food is to be found, and put his water beside his food. When you are near his cage don't stare at him. He is a prey animal, you are a predator. He will feel extremely uncomfortable if you stare at him so when looking his way, break up gaze by winking and blinking, closing one eye and only looking at him through the other, turning your head so that only one eye is visible to him. It is that double-eyed (eyes in the front of your head rather than to the side) predatory focus that puts a prey animal on edge. He's thinking you are lining him up for dinner.

[Shirls]

What Hezz has said is really good advice reenie. Stuart will feel more comfortable with only one side to look out from. Bear in mind that his total routine and home has completely changed for him, so it must be really scary. He will settle in a few days and you will see lots of seed husks on the floor (your floor too I expect!!)

[reenie]

Thank you very much for all the advice. I will try it all.

[ladybird]

Renee, all that good advise will work. My little Charlie is 11weeks now, but I had just the same problem you are having.. I didn’t think he ate anything for a few days, but I blew on his seed and the husks flew off , so I knew he had been eating when I wasn’t looking. As for fruit and veg, the little darling still won’t touch anything,. ( yet)... ..Just relax, follow all the good advise you have been given ,and in a week or so your little beauty will reward you.......

[reenie]

Thanks ladybird. He's doing much better today. I covered the cage as suggested and I put the bowl nearer the top and he's been wolfing the seed. I bought another movable bowl for water and have put it up there too, so hopefully he'll figure it out.
I can't believe how much he's come on in less than 48 hours! He actually stepped up onto my finger and stayed there for ages munching a piece of millet... Just the once though, and I don't want to push him, so only tried a couple of times. Great progress though.

[ladybird]

That’s great news reenie, sounds like you are going to have a very tame little friend. I took all the advise given ( still am doing) on here ......slowly does it etc and my Charlie has bonded to me like glue! It’s so rewarding when they trust you isn’t it?