It’s that “Aha!” moment we all get when the solution to a birdkeeping problem suddenly hits us. An accidental discovery, a hint from a friend or veterinarian, or simply using something we already have in a different way suddenly makes the difference between frustration and success. Adapt some of these common-sense suggestions and uncommon solutions to your own bird’s situation and enjoy the difference!
Finicky Eater
My first “Aha!” moment came when I was in a hurry to feed my budgie. I’d despaired of her ever eating the chopped fruit and vegetables I placed in her dish every day. Lacking the time to prepare yet another tempting feast one busy morning, I simply clipped chunks of broccoli, apple and carrot to the cage bars. I came home that evening to find the healthful produce eaten down to nubs! The realization that budgies and other small birds like to gnaw on such foods rather than eat them out of a dish changed my life and the bird’s. Special clips just for this purpose are available at pet shops and through mail order companies.
Robert Monaco, DVM, Dip., ABVP of the Old Country Animal Clinic in Plainview, NY, has an interesting way of coping with finicky eaters. “To help convert seed junkies to pellets/mash or to improve their diets and health, we often ‘shake-n-bake’ millet spray with Harrison’s Mash,” he said. Just drop a piece of millet spray into the bag with the mash, and shake it up. We don’t actually bake it, but Harrisons just came out with birdie bread, which you do bake, so we advise trying that too.”
**For the full article, pick up the February 2008 issue of BIRD TALK**
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