i need ideas to get my picky seed-addicted cockatiel to eat more veggies and fruits..

[golsoam]

i went to the vet today and her immune system is low and she has too much bad bacteria. she layed an egg a few days ago so i am really trying to get alot of calcium in her as well. does anyone know of what veggies cockatiels seem to love?

[crazeemama]

As far as the 'bad bacteria' I would get a probiotic in her. You can use plain yogurt containing a LIVE culture ( the health food store is your best bet, but DO read the label) OR the capsules containing acidophilus/bifidus etc (again health food store). These are very expensive and unless you have alot of birds. not very cost effective. They must be refridgerated after opening also. My health foodstore keeps them in the refridgerator also.
Benebac is a brand name made for birds product. You can get at the petstore. which ever you choose use for three days running and then discontinue. a small dollup will be plenty. You could also use a tsp of acv in the water for 10 days to help clean out the gut and THEN use the probiotic the same as described above. This should repopulate the gut with good bacteria etc.
As for other foods, remember cockatiels are desert birds so they are not use to juicy fruits etc. Mine eat vegetables just fine. they are particularly fond of sweet potato that has been steamed and then diced very small. Once he is eating that, you can add other orange fleshed or green leafy veggies to it. it helps get over the 'sight recognition' hump. Be consistent anddon't give up after a week or two if you haven't seen them eating the fresh stuff. With the sweet potato/yams it is easy to tell as they will have orange stuck to their little beaks lol.

[Mona_Lynn]

My Tiel, Piper, loves cucumber. She'll nibble on broccli and carrots, but without the vigor. I can't get her to eat fruit, except for strawberries.

[crazeemama]

add things slowly to that, say abit of diced apple. You may also try pear, and other *drier* fruit. Iwould trykiwi also, if she likesthe berries as they contain small seedstoo. Just keep at it, alot of it is *food recognition* she has to recognise IT IS food, before she will try it.

[Snapperhead]

I've posted a thread somewhere on this forum about "Birdie Muffins"...they have absolutely helped in getting my Lovebird off seed and on pellets as his staple diet. Of course I still give him a Tbsp on seed every day at dinner time, but it's like dessert now! lol He has never given me a hard time with fresh stuff, although there are days when he barely touches his morning muffins or his dinner salad. Generally he'll always eat anything we're having though...especially if we make a big show about how good it is! I think birds that think they are people are more likely to eat people food and fruit/veggies because we do. Mine definately views himself as a person and even though I am his "Alpha bird"...he still likes to pretend he's running the show, as a matter of fact........He IS! ! ! But shhhhh....don't tell him!
Cheers, Tamara