New baby... is she eating?

[tabbytai]

I have had my baby TAG, Dudley, home for about 10 days.I can't tell how well she is eating. SHe crushes up the pellets into powder so I cannot determine if she is eating them or just playing with them. I took her to a vet 6 days after I brought her home and she had lost 9 grams (300-291). the vet didn't seem concerned but told me I was feeding her too many pellets at a time and she may just be crushing them up to satisfy her mouth boredom. I have a lot of toys including things for her to crush up or shred and she is always on them.

My concern is just that she isn't eating well. How can you really tell aside from weighing her?

Is this normal for a bird who was just brought home? I am feeding the exact same stuff they were at the shop... She was fully weaned when I brought her home as well.

She has been getting really mean the last 2 days. Could she be hungry?

I fed her some applesauce mixed with the powder she leaves from the pellets and she ate about 2 tablespoons very happily and seems in a little better mood now. I am just worried, that's all.

Any advice?

[lovemyGreys]

Weighing her everyday after her big morning poop is the best way to monitor her weight.How old is she ? apart from pellets what else are you offering her ? Does she eat veggies,fruit etc.. ? She may well be a little grouchy if she is hungry.If you tell us a little more about her diet,i can help some more

[tabbytai]

I am feeding her the same stuff they did at the shop since she is so new I didn't want to add too much new stuff right away. Although I have been giving her an apple bit as a treat so I know she likes that. She is on Roudybush pellets and a fruit and nut mix as well as a tropical fruit mix that has papaya, coconut and that kind of stuff in it. All is dried except for the apple I give her. She get about 1 heaping tablespoon of pellets 3x a day plus the fruit and nut mix on top of that. She leaves a lot behind.

[lovemyGreys]

Begin to introduce her now to all sorts of foods,if you leave it she may refuse as she gets older,it's far easier to start when their young.Perhaps offer her the tropical fruit mix & add some fruit to it,i would leave her a bowl of pellets out so she has access to them at all times,i dont believe in feeding at set times.for dinner/supper try offering warm veggies,carrots,broccoli,peas sweetcorn etc.. you could mash them slightly for her.Try some cooked beans,pinto soya etc.. they generally are a big hit.You can always try things like pasta,rice mixed with a little scrambled egg.. have a good look around the bird food room, there are various threads on diet.

[tabbytai]

Thanks. I'll give her more different things. I wish I could tell what she eats though. I don't have a scale. She is so funny though. She's only 3 1/2 months old and she has already said "hello", "how are you", peek-a-boo" and "step up". I can tell she is trying to say "i love you" as well but it isn't coming out quite right yet... so cute.

[lovemyGreys]

It may be worth buying a scale to monitor her weight,it will give you peace of mind too you can always offer her a warm feed at night before bed off a spoon if she will take it,something like oatmeal,baby food is a good one,all 4 of my greys still love a warm feed before bed & they range from 18 months to 3 years old

[tabbytai]

Thanks for the advice. I began giving her some new foods which she thoroughly enjoys. Especially the leafy greens and kohlrabi! She seems to be doing a little better. I also switched her pellets to a smaller size and she eats more, at least it appears so as she is leaving less powder behind. I think she may have just been working through some adjustment... All is well.

[lovemyGreys]

Thanks for the great update.Im pleased to hear your baby is doing well

[judygram]

As always Tracy comes to the rescue, helping another grey owner thru a problem, this woman knows her stuff when it comes to feeding our greys and we are so blessed to have her.:kiss: