Hello,

I'm just wondering, I have tried Harry on vegies and or fruit, but he just isn't interested, so after reading through the forums, went for a walk this morning, and gathered up grasses and some eucalypt branch with leaves and flowers. I tied it all in a bunch with some wool, and put it in his cage, and after about 10 mins, he was at it, and basically he has munched on and off all day.

 

My question here is, it is obviously a big hit, but can he eat too much? Should I now remove it from his cage? I don't want to find him keeled over from pigging out!

Hello,

I'm just wondering, I have tried Harry on vegies and or fruit, but he just isn't interested, so after reading through the forums, went for a walk this morning, and gathered up grasses and some eucalypt branch with leaves and flowers. I tied it all in a bunch with some wool, and put it in his cage, and after about 10 mins, he was at it, and basically he has munched on and off all day.

 

My question here is, it is obviously a big hit, but can he eat too much? Should I now remove it from his cage? I don't want to find him keeled over from pigging out!

 

 

Sounds great. Were they from your garden? When collecting from the street/parks you have to be very careful they haven't been sprayed etc... I'd also recommend rincing in water regardless of where you collected them from too. As to too much... I'd say no. My birds get regular 'greens' and no harm done. As to his veggies, try the same 'bunched with string' with some veggies... bok choy, lengths of carrot (cut in strips) and maybe some beans??? If he likes his grass like that, maybe he will like his veggies like it too. You can also get fruit skewers where you thread your veggies (esp corn on the cob) onto, then screw it into the top piece and hang... another idea??? Some of my birds only eat there veggies 'hanging' where as others like them in bowls. Just experiment with what your guy like.

Thank you, that eases my mind a lot, and I will definitely try your suggestions. I did rinse the grasses and branch before giving them to him, as that was the advice from the forums I read. I appreciate all the advice, again, thankyou!

Yes, I'd agree about experimenting with the way you present the vegies. Some of my birds like theirs in a dish, others on a fruit skewer and others like broccoli etc. just stuffed through the bars somewhere.

Happy to hear it If he's really taken to the grass and leaves, try the veggies in the same bundle to see if he'll take a nibble at it that way.

 

As for side effects, you might notice a change in his droppings, because he is getting more moisture from the grass. I am thinking the normal gut bacteria might change a bit as well, adding to the change in droppings.

 

Try to avoid getting plants from right near the side of the road, car fumes etc might linger in those and they might have been sprayed as maesie said. Make sure you wash everything thoroughly before feeding. Be careful with the wool, he might get his toes caught in it or get himself tangled in it (if he panics, he could strangle himself).

 

Later on, once he's really taken to the gum branches, try using them to enrich his environment. Replace your perches with the eucalypt branches, leaves and bark and all, with different levels so he has plenty to climb around on, chew and keep himself entertained. If you're a bit handy, drill some holes into the branches and hide bits of food in it. Anything to keep them busy is a good thing.

 

Bottle brush branches are good too, and try different gums as they differ widely in appearance, smell, and I assume taste and nutrients.

Edited May 18, 200916 yr by Chrysocome

Thank you, I have noticed that he was using the branches I tied together to climb up, and I will change the wool to some thin cotton rope I have, and it's a great idea drilling some holes in the branches, will do that also.

 

I truly appreciate everyone's advice they have given me, you are all very patient and kind.

Robyn

Another idea is to use those plastic balls- see link: Wiffle Balls. You can hang these from the roof of the cage with chain, or cotton rope threaded with beads. Then stuff them with herbs/grasses/veggies etc... My birds love pulling it all out, and the 'hope' is they eat some of it as they do!!!

Friends and family are already saying this is the most spoilt creature on earth...I seriously doubt that, but I'll get a few of those, will be good to interchange with the other stuff, for variety.

I bought a corn cob, sliced a ring of it, and put it on a skewer, but he hasn't touched it. I took it out after 24 hours, put in another, still nothing. I will keep doing itt, but I think the leaves & grasses, must tempt his taste buds more, I'll experiment with some other things on the list, and hopefully something else will be a temptation for him.

I have buffalo grass in the backyard so i give grass seeds to my bird as well and oh my goodness they love it so much. i think budgies will stop eating if they're full, though. Maybe you could try hiding some lettuce with the grass seeds?

Not too much lettuce though. It has no nutritional value and gives them the screaming s...s (can't spell the d word).The idea of the whiffle balls is terrific. I'm going to try it.