Oct 27, 2014 20:17:19 GMT
vortex
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by vortex on Oct 27, 2014 20:32:18 GMT
My budgie is a seed junkie! We've always offered him the seed recommended by the reputable bird store where we got him plus fresh fruits and veggies. He won't even touch the produce. Not even treats. Just seeds, seeds, seeds. So 6 days ago I started trying to switch him over to a formulated diet. I started with half and half seeds and new food and decreased the seeds each day until yesterday was just a pinch and today only new food. He won't even touch it.
So my question is... Will hunger eventually win out over stubbornness or can he actually starve himself to death?
I feel so mean! I know he's hungry. He hops and flaps around the food dish and squawks at me. But it's probably even more cruel to fuel the addiction and send him to an early grave, right?
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Post by lemonade on Oct 27, 2014 20:52:33 GMT
Hiya, 6 days isn't enough to switch him over from his seeds to I assume pellets? It takes some birds over 6 months (or never) to switch over. Can I ask how old your budgie is? I can't answer wether hunger will win in your little birds case, but it has been known for birds to starve to death Personally I wouldn't risk it, I would give him his seeds. If you worry he is eating too much just put a few teaspoons per day. That's enough and all he will need. Also, if he is a young bird he may eventually take to fresh veggies and fruit. What kinds have you tried? I give my birds a half and half mix of seeds and Harrison's pellets every day.
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Oct 27, 2014 20:17:19 GMT
vortex
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by vortex on Oct 27, 2014 21:12:54 GMT
He's about a year old now. We have tried apples pears watermelon cantaloupe lettuce kale spinach corn cucumbers broccoli cauliflower carrots... Pretty much every fruit or veggie we eat except avocado.
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Post by Hezz on Oct 28, 2014 0:44:58 GMT
As lemonade has said, 6 days is nothing when trying to chance a budgie's diet, especially one who is so deeply entrenched on a seed diet. Lemonade has also given some good advice regarding not starving him and the amount he does actually need ....... usually much less than what they, and you, actually think they need. What I would do is give him a pot with the limited amount in it, working down gradually to two or three teaspoons a day, but always make sure there is something else available in the way of fresh greens etc. This way you will know that he has the food to keep him going but no more seed than he really needs. If he gets hungry enough, he may feel the urge to have a nibble on something else. Also regarding finding a way to get a budgie to eat their greens is a bit like finding a way to make a toddler eat theirs! So like it chopped up small and all in together; some like chunks hung up in the cage; others like to eat what you are eating (if they are a bonded part of the family); some will take to something immediately while others will not touch a particular veggie for months of trying until you give up and then the next time gobble it down like there's no tomorrow! You really need to mix it up and experiment, if you haven't already. Don't take a rejection as being the end of it; it really is just the beginning.
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Oct 27, 2014 20:17:19 GMT
vortex
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 3
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Post by vortex on Oct 31, 2014 17:09:37 GMT
So the day after I posted, I gave in and have him back his seeds. Couldn't stand to see him hungry. I'm only giving him enough to be sure he doesn't starve to death and offering plenty of produce and pellets. Today for the first time, I see him trying the pellets! Keep your fingers crossed.
Of course, he has thrown his apple, banana, kiwi, lettuce, and kale on the floor. Haha! Just like a kid.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 1, 2014 0:42:44 GMT
Forget the lettuce - full of water and very little goodness, unless it is one of the darker green/purple leafed varieties, and rather than fruit, concentrate on piece of vegetables, leafy (dark) greens, in particular, things that look the most like grass (seeding grass) is what you will have the better results with. Seeding grasses are their natural native food, and they love it.
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Post by jellybean on Nov 2, 2014 16:59:14 GMT
I can vouch for that, my two love the stuff, sorry to say it's really hard to find here now
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Post by milliej on Nov 2, 2014 23:06:01 GMT
My two only eat seed, they've had an occasional bit of broccoli with a tiny bit of mashed egg but they are only seed eaters really so I wouldn't (personally) worry too much about it as long as he's eating and always has fresh water! If he has cuttle fish bone and an iodine block (as mine have) mine have done ok on their diet and they're quite elderly now, 8 & 9 so hope this helps! Oh and grit!
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