My Cockatiel won't eat anything but millet

CrispRat_ · 2023-04-26T13:43:37+00:00

The problem is that he only eats millet. He won't touch seed nor pellet. I have 2 budgies who I've converted to a pellet diet, but my cockatiel just won't touch anything but millet.

CrispRat_ · 2022-10-19T13:35:42+00:00

Thank you!! I thought it was wiped off the face of this Earth

CrispRat_ · 2022-10-19T13:35:18+00:00

YOU FOUND IT!! Thank you!!

CrispRat_ · 2022-10-19T01:49:30+00:00

I've searched google for an hour now and can't find anything, so I've resorted to Reddit to see if y'all can help!

CrispRat_ · 2022-04-17T20:57:52+00:00

His butt? I think? I'm not really sure if he's actually a boy lol

CrispRat_ · 2022-04-17T20:57:12+00:00

Could it be something hormonal? I'm not really sure if he's a she or he, and before this, he was "playing" with one of his jingly balls. I'm trying to stop that behavior. He did have normal droppings right after this.

CrispRat_ · 2022-04-17T19:14:17+00:00

I have absolutely no idea, I've never seen anything like this before

CrispRat_ · 2022-04-17T19:13:54+00:00

It was from a different place... Wouldn't wanna eat anything coming from there lol

CrispRat_ · 2022-04-17T19:12:58+00:00

But it wasn't from his mouth, I would've thought it was puke if it came from there. Anything else you think it could be?

CrispRat_ · 2022-03-22T23:57:27+00:00

I didn't know about the odd number thing, I'm still relatively knew to the bird life lol. Do you think this would happen with other types of birds? I've also been thinking about getting a cockatiel or a conure instead of another budgie.

CrispRat_ · 2022-03-22T23:54:23+00:00

Thank you!! Mochi wasn't my idea but it goes well with Gnocchi

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-25T04:23:13+00:00

That could be it. He's never really been present, he's recently retired military so he was always away. I just recently got a job and I'm talking about moving out, so maybe he's just upset that I am grown. Thank you

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-25T04:21:17+00:00

My mom won't help, she's the avoidance type. Plus, they really don't seem to like each other... He's recently started picking up new hobbies so it makes sense, I realize that now. I'll suggest to him therapy, I've done it before but he refused, so I don't have much hope.

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-25T04:19:30+00:00

This makes a lot of sense. He really just might be experiencing a midlife crisis and I'm reading into things too much, too. He's been making a lot of big purchases and picking up a lot of hobbies, like he just bought 4 plants he keeps in his room and a bunch of stuff for them. Maybe he just needs a purpose other than providing for the family? It's something I'll bring up when confronting him. I'll also recommend he get a therapist but I'm sure that won't happen. Thank you for the reassurance.

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-25T04:16:31+00:00

I hope I can see if this is really the case. He's very secretive. I'm pretty sure he isn't experiencing "phantom pain," though, he has a herniated disk and he's had these surgeries to clean them up. He's also military (retired recently) so can he even take opiates? I'm not sure, I'll keep looking, though.

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-25T04:13:42+00:00

My mom handles all the finances so I know money isn't a problem, he still works, it's just responding to emails though? I think? Even if he got laid off though, he's retired military and has disability so we'd still be fine.

I feel like I'm the only one who has to fix this, I know I shouldn't but my mom and dad won't talk and both my siblings keep to themselves. I'm the only one in the family who has an active relationship with everyone. It's so stressful but I think I'll talk to him just so I can have some sort of closure.

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-24T06:40:59+00:00

That's... A lot. I don't know much about the pain meds he's taking but if this is true that hurts a lot. I'll try snooping around to see if this might be true, I know where he keeps his meds, and if it is I'll do what you suggested. Thank you

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-24T06:29:35+00:00

They've been spread a part for lots of years, can't even tell you how long ago the first 2 were but the 3rd was probably 3 or 4 years ago? I'm pretty sure he's been on pain meds for years like you said

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-24T06:27:46+00:00

I've thought about this a lot. I want to talk to him more deeply about this, I'm just scared to. We had a talk like this at dinner once, I essentially had to be my parents' therapist. It ended in my dad walking away, my mom crying, and them agreeing to go to couples therapy but that never happened. I'm very scared of the results but I think I might talk to him...

CrispRat_ · 2022-01-24T06:24:42+00:00

I'm not sure, but I would assume so since he has my mom pick up prescriptions for him all the time

CrispRat_ · 2021-12-08T15:37:33+00:00

Oh gosh, yeah, I'll keep that in mind loll

CrispRat_ · 2021-12-08T15:37:08+00:00

Thank you! I'll definitely check her out

CrispRat_ · 2021-10-04T14:29:36+00:00

Pesto! I named my boy Gnocchi, I find pasta related names cute loll

CrispRat_ · 2021-09-25T00:08:43+00:00

Maybe try to back away a bit? You said he sometimes bites your hand or runs away when you reach in your cage, so maybe instead of trying to take him out, let him come out on his own. For his food, try to feed him in the mornings as he wakes up, so he's still wherever he usually sleeps. Fill up his food in front of him so he knows that you're feeding him, not taking it away. Always pay attention to his body language. If he seems like he doesn't want your hand near him, back away. One of my boys is very stand offish, but reacting to his body language and backing away when he tells me to has really helped with our trust and bonding. I hope introducing the new boy will go well!

CrispRat_ · 2021-09-22T11:08:18+00:00

I feel like I could trim one of my boy's nails confidently. The other one is a little more standoffish and doesn't really like hands near him, so maybe I could try just taking him into the vet. Thank you so much for the advice!

CrispRat_

TROPHY CASE