HI all ..

Still struggling terribly getting my Ivy to eat anything but seed. I'm trying so hard to convert him to pellets, but so far, I think he would starve himself. He won't go near a fresh fruit or veggie, and I've tried every type allowed, cooked .. uncooked .. mashed, chopped, diced .. etc .. no go .. won't even look at 'em. I've tried eating in front of him, making all kinds of "yummy" noises, he could care less.

So, until that miracle day comes when he decides to try pellets, or some fresh foods, I'm wondering if I should be giving him vitamins. I know he can be getting what his little body needs from seed alone.

Does anyone here recommend a good supplement/vitamin?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

(p.s. ... My new Sun babies are the complete opposite!! They gobble down just about anything I give them, and scarf up pellets like they were gold. I was hoping Ivy would get the hint, since they all eat so close to each other, but it's as if he's saying .. "you guys eat that healthy stuff .. I'm sticking with my junk food"!! ... I swear he's a junkie!!)

Teresa

The pellet conversion can sometimes be very slow, but hang in there, your QP will get the hang of it if you are doing it correctly.

As far as fresh foods go, maybe you can start with something like corn or a piece of grape, something that isn't necessarily the best kind of fresh food, but will probably taste the best to your QP because they are sweet. Another trick may be to roll a piece of fruit in his seeds. He might accidentally eat the fruit and find out he likes it.

Don't give up! And I wouldn't put him on any supplements until you've exhausted all of your options. And DEFINITELY talk to your vet before you use any type of supplement!

My avian vet is very anti vitamins and supplements for birds and herps. They are dangerous! It is way to easy to overdose them which will cause way more problems than deficiencies. Be patient and keep offering a variety of foods and she'll come around.

Try mixing things into a birdie bread (plenty of topics on here with recipes) or try a mash. I can get Petey to eat anything if it is all mixed together with a little oatmeal, brown rice, or his favorite baby food.

My vet also is not in favour of over the counter suppliments ..

I know Harrison's sells a birdie bread mix that can be given as a complete diet if I remember right. It's tasty too as my birds devoured it. It seems to have alot of seeds in it so this might help him try it. Then maybe you can start making your own healthy bread possibly adding some pellets to it.
Maybe you can look into a more natural type of supplement like the green food powders and just sprinkle that on his food. Instead of the synthetic stuff that can be overdosed on. Just a thought. Try a holistic site maybe for some ideas

Thanks everyone for all the input. I spoke with my vet, and like all of you, he's really not a big fan of supplements unless there is a serious problem and at this point there's not.

I've made birdie bread .. both from the recipes here, and from the Harrison's ,, won't touch either. I also made the sweet potato puffs, which my Suns almost attack me for, but again, Ivy just turns up his beak.

Hopefully with time, patience and persistence .. he'll come around.

Thanks again!!

Hi,
I have the same problem with Missy. Just keep offering her different foods. Missy will now eat green beans, peas, corn and potatoes. She won't eat fruit, but she licks it.LOL.
Missy has to see me eating something. Then she wants it too. Maybe you should try that!
Good luck. I know, this can be frustrating!!

I'm not sure how your vet feels about this, but my vet said as long as they are eating a variety of seeds and not picking just their favorite it can be healthy, so just try to give her enough to get through each day so she won't pick and choose. Good luck!

I had to sit down and actually EAT some Zupreem pellets next to Verde, and make a big deal about it before Verde would switch.Then he immediatly switched and hasn't looked back since!



On the other hand, Georgie the Sun Conure will eat anything- thank goodness!