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From: ma176f1@sdcc14.ucsd.edu (Sean Kelly)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR:  A Suggestion For Those With Picky Eaters.
Keywords: PICKY BIRDS EATING
Message-ID: <16859@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>
Date: 20 Feb 91 21:46:20 GMT
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I have a Red-Lored Amazon (I think that's how you spell it), named
Kiwi (she's green, she's a fruit).  When I got Kiwi she would only
eat sunflower seeds and peanuts :(  This being the case I searched
for suggestions on how to change this habit.  Turns out that my
Avian Vet wrote a book titled "Bird Owner's HOME HEALTH and CARE
Handbook".  (I consider this required reading for any one who has or
may get a bird)  Anyway, to cut to the chase there is a section in
there titled 'Advice for Feeding the Finicky Eater.'  I followed the
advice and in less than four days, my birds was eating everything
from apples to carrots and even pancakes(no syrup).

The following is printed who out permission from the author, but I
don't think He'll mind.  He'd rather your bird was health than his
wallet was thick.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Many birds become fussy about the food they eat.  Poor eating habits
are one of the chief causes of nutritional problems, and owners are
usually helpless in correcting this dilemma.  Birds will often eat
only one or two types of seeds (usually sunflower seeds or peanuts),
or they totally avoid fruits and vegetables.  Sound familiar?  It's
a common problem.  To make matters worse, once established, it's a
difficult habit to break.

Birds depend more on the visual recognition of foods rather than the
snell or taste.  Until they become familiar with the appearance of a
food, they will be reluctant to try anything new.  Therefore, you
must be persistent.  If your bird doesn't accept a new food
immediately, don't give up.  Keep offering it, but be sure it is
always fresh.

Avoid abrupt changes in diet.  Never starve your bird into eating
new foods.  Here are some suggestions to try:

1.  For the fussy seed eaters, try removing most, but not all, of
    the one or two types of seeds that your bird seems only to be
    eating.
2.  Take out the prefered food at night.  DO NOT put then back in
    first thing in the morning.  If necessary, add them later in the
    day.
3.  Mix new foods in with the regular food.
4.  Place new foods near a favorite toy or at the end of a perch.
5.  Sweeten new foods with a small amount of molasses or brown
    sugar.
6.  Try hand feeding new food, but don't get him too dependent on
    this method.  Also try offering the food as a "game" or "reward"
7.  Feed in favorite areas outside the cage.
8.  Try feeding new foods in different forms; i.e., chopped vs.
    whole.  Try warming the food.
9.  Use your imagination -- where there's a will, there's a way.

     ALWAYS BE SURE THE FOOD STAYS FRESH AND IS FREQUENTLY CHANGED
WHILE YOUR BIRD IS BECOMINGACCUSTOMED TO ITS LOOK AND SMELL.

      GOOD LUCK!!! REMEMBER: PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Gallerstein, Gary A. D.V.M., "Bird Owner's HOME HEALTH and CARE
Handbook",  Howell Book House Inc., ISBN 0-87605-820-9

I recommend this book above all others I've seen on the subject of
keeping birds as pets.  If you can't get it at your local bookstore,
call Dr. Gallerstein at the Acacia Animal Hospital and He'll
probably send you a copy.  (619) 745-8115


Hope This Is Even Slightly Helpful.

Sean


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