Posted by PHXue on February 26, 2003 at 02:47:21:
In Reply to: Diet posted by zukimud on February 25, 2003 at 19:30:10:
Sprouts are great. Does he eat these daily? They're VERY good for him. The millet is ok to use for a treat, but I wouldn't give him a spray every day, he probably would eat just this if you do. DO NOT try to starve him into eating different foods. This is very dangerous. These guys are so little and their metabolism is so high, they wouldn't last long. I'd suggest just keep trying different foods, just one new one at a time maybe. They may not seem to eat much of it, but they actually do get a little taste in (what they don't sling, mine are bad for that). My female, especially, has to tear her food up into a million little pieces, makes a mess, but if I watch her closely, that little tongue is actually getting some of the food down. Another thing you might try is to eat some of the food at the same time, or at least pretend to. My birds love to eat with me. Not all the time, but maybe when I want them to try a new food. They seem to want to try anything that I'm eating. What kind of seed mix do you give him? I give mine a cockatiel mix, that's what's usually recommended. Now, Higgins has come out with Parrotlet mix that's supposed to be very good. I think I'm going to try that the next time I buy food. They're eating the Higgins VitaSeed Cockatiel mix now (I have tiels, lovebirds and a quaker on that also, buy it in the big bags). I also give them birdie bread, there are many recipes out there. I usually improvise, use what's on hand. I wouldn't recommend the ones using the Jiffy mix though, just as easy to start from scratch. Sweet potatoes are good to add.
One place that has some good ideas is this one
http://lmkandtux.homestead.com/Rbook4Udietrecipes.html
hope this helps
keep trying with the fresh foods, one of the favorites here is pomegranates. You may not be able to find them now, but they love these when available. They also make a big mess and stain, so make sure they have plenty of slinging room! :)))
