Eatting special treats

[loserduck86]

I can't find the thread now, but someone posted an idea about wrapping a slice of apple in a piece of bread and baking it for a bit as a treat for the bird. I tried this today, and Lunchmeat just ignores it, and just about everything else I put into his cage. How does one teach their budgie that it is a treat and is to be eatten?

[Amy]

Ahh yes, pipp4 posted that. I have yet to try it with my budgies, I will let you know what they think of it. Pip bites anything, (Even me sometimes! I'm working on that though) so I expect he'll be first to try it.

Good luck with Lunchmeat eating it. :P

[softie]

Most budgies will ignore anything new given to them, whether it be toys, new seed, pellets, vegetables, and yes, even treats.

he just needs to learn that the treat is good for him and is nothing to be scared about.

A good way for him to try it is placing something that he does like, on top of the treat. This way, when he takes a nip, he may taste the new treat and start to enjoy it.

Another way is to let him watch you eat it. Make the "mmmmm" "yummy" sounds and he might become a little entrigued.

But afterall, the baked bread and apple is just a treat so feed him sparingly :)

[Neely]

I just gave Willie some shredded carrot. I put some seed on top, and she's CAREFULLY eating the seed, making sure to not touch the carrot. I was watchng her and she accidentally got some of the carrot and she held her beak open until it fell out, lol. :p

It will just take time. I'm sure Lunchmeat will get curious soon enough.

[zarrion101]

Yes Softie your methods are exactly what I would say. Putting something on top as an addon or disguise can help. I coated a peice of apple in seed and Bluebell eat some because she received the best of both. :)

[pipp4]

yea my birds didn't like them at first wel it seemed but i just kept giving it to them then blueberry approched it and nibbled on it and now he loves it

[Enna]

i don't have this problem. peek will try most things. Of course the won't go on the big stick thing to get the millet which is weird because millet to so temping to peek. Peek can't resist hopping onto people if they have millet.

[Kerry C]

Have you tried to make your own "nutri-berry" type treats.

1 C dried fruit of your choice
2 TB coconut
1/2 c old fashioned oatmeal, uncooked
1/4 c seed mix of any kind
1/4 c pellets, your choice
2 TB honey or molasses

Put first 3 items in a blender/food processor and blend. Add the rest of the ingredients--IT WILL BE STICKY! On a greased or parchment paper lined cookie sheet, roll balls of various sizes and put 1" apart. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 min. Check at 15 min to make sure they are NOT brown, but set. Cool and store in a tightly covered jar. :budgie:

[loserduck86]

that looks yummy. i'll make some and if lunchmeat doesn't eat it, I could always try passing it off as cookie for my step dad. lol!