Request for Help: My African Grey Parrot Won’t Eat on His Own

[fozcan]

Dear Friends,

My companion, a Jako (African Grey Parrot), and I have been together for 15 years. In 2016, we faced an unfortunate incident when a cable tie got stuck in his crop, leading to serious health issues. The first symptoms were lethargy and loss of appetite. After blood, urine, and stool tests, as well as X-rays, we identified the problem and started a treatment plan with medication prescribed by the vet.

However, even after the treatment was completed, my parrot still refused to eat on his own. To keep him alive, I had to hand-feed him a mixture of A/D Restorative Care food and baby formula using a syringe every morning and evening. Over time, he lost weight, became weak, and struggled to fly. But with great effort over nearly a year, I managed to nurse him back to health.

Now, he is much better, active, and lively. However, the biggest issue remains: he still won’t eat on his own. He no longer eats the Harrison’s Bird Food or sunflower seeds he once loved. He only consumes fruits like apples, pears, and quinces. When I come home from work, he paces in his cage, waiting for me to feed him. He even holds his droppings all day and only relieves himself once I take him out and encourage him. At feeding time, he eagerly flies onto me, desperate to be hand-fed.

How can I encourage him to eat on his own? How can I break this dependency? I would greatly appreciate any guidance or expert advice on helping him regain his natural eating habits.

I would be truly grateful for your help. Thank you in advance for your time and support.

[Timbersmom]

Wow, so glad Jako survived! I wish I had an answer but I don't. I would keep trying to tempt him with things he likes. I might even try feeding him cooked sweet potato or some other thin foods by syringe to whet his appetite. Other than that, no ideas! Good luck

[Greytness]

Not quite sure how to break the dependency, but with respect to his food, can you dip his fruit into, say, some quinoa or something blended, present it to him with the new food 'hidden' on the other side of the fruit? You can also purchase freeze dried veggies, pulverize them and dip the fruit into the powdered veggies and offer the fruit pieces in a similar way.

I add a combo of flaxseed meal, hemp hearts and chia seeds and sprinkle it onto my flock's banana slices. Super healthy for them.

Just a few thoughts as to how to bump up his nutrition. Over time you can hopepfully reintroduce the food as separate very tiny pieces for him to hopefully pick through.

[Talon]

Oh my, what a tragic event for you both! I am amazed & glad he made it through that!   Has it occurred to you he has scar tissue from such a sharp item being stuck?  It may hurt him to eat anything other than soft foods.  Maybe he feels cared he is gonna get something stuck again, thus having you there for comfort while he eats?  He may just need very soft foods like baby type foods, mashed potatoes, porridge, super soft pasta?  It may hurt him to eat anything that is not super soft, tissue/scar damage can be painful .  Just my thoughts.  Have you tried leaving applesauce or soft butternut mashed squash for him in his bowls while you are gone to see if he tries to eat by himself.  He may just lie the comfort, clearly he is still troubled & traumatized from his life-threatening ordeal.  Maybe in time he will gain confidence that he can safely eat by himself , you may just have to be patient. He can't tell you why he is scared of if anything still hurts when he eats....

 

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