Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!purdue!bu-cs!encore!cloud9!mm
From: mm@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Mike Mahler)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Cockatoo feeding problems
Message-ID: <6468@cloud9.Stratus.COM>
Date: 18 Jul 89 16:58:45 GMT
References: <20519@cup.portal.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Stratus Computer, Inc., Marlboro, MA
Lines: 24

In article <20519@cup.portal.com>, Chris_Del_Grande@cup.portal.com writes:
> 
> 	I have an 18 month old non-domestic male Umbrella Cockatoo that will
> not eat fruits and/or vegetables, which apparently they are supposed to con-
> sume regularly.  We have tried mixing particles with his seed and no go.
> Hand feeding usually works, except for the fruits and vege's.  Anybody who
> may suggest alternative methods or specific types of food (fruits & vege's)
> please contact me.  Thanks a lot.
> 
> Chris_Del_Grande@cup.portal.com


    Hi Chris -

        Has your umbrella been fed sunflowers seeds?  It's a young bird
    and it just might no be used to eating fruits and veggies.  Remove
    ALL it's seed for 1 day leaving only banana and cantelope (personal
    preferences).  If it doesn't respond in 1 day (ie: doesn't eat ANY)
    then switch back to seed for a day (never leave it without food for
    a day) and mix it with the same but fresh fruit.  If nothing happens,
    try celery and carrots.  I've always had luck using a WHOLE carrot since
    they play with it and eat it at the same time.  It's important that it
    learn to eat fruits and veggies and will often be a source or added
    vitamins you may want to give it (vitamins you add to water are useless).