What fruits & veges can I feed my Major Mitchell?

[fledgling]

Hi everyone,

I want to pick your brains on what fruit and vegetables to feed my Major Mitchell!

He's just over 4 months old and he loves sprouted seed, carrots, celery, corn, apple and peas, but I'm not sure what else he can have? I also give him almonds which he loves, though I'm not sure if he loves eating them or playing with them/breaking them more

I was told by the breeder that I bought him off to feed him on peachface mix, but he only seems to eat the sunflower seed out of this and he won't touch the other little seeds. I add extra sunflower seed to this mix, but I worry that he's not getting enough seed. Should I try him on a different seed? Can he eat millet grass (I've seen packets of it in the pet shop, but I wasn't sure if I can give it to my boy)?

Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated ;D

[flossy]

Hi Fledgling

I have a Major Mitchell as well and she is fussy with her seed, however I also use Peachface Mix. If she picks out the sunflower, that's her problem! lol! I try and make sure she gets a fair share of the other seed as well, but simply removing the husks and leaving it for her for a few days. If there is no more sunflower, she will eat the rest!!
Savannah eats all of what you have said plus sweet potato, pumpkin, endive, spinach, kiwi fruit, mango, oranges, and anything else I put in her bowls. She loves picking through it all, and will throw it out of her dish, but will go back to it and eat it all later on.
She also has a boiled egg, shell and all every few weeks, which she devours! As do my Eckies. Not sure everyone will agree, but this is what I do...and MY opinion only!!

Savannah also loves all nuts - almonds, peanuts, walnuts and all the rest. She has these for a reward after going for a walk and returning to her cage with no hassles. She has a few issues with her harness, but with the promise of a nut or two - that seems to be subsiding! lol

Millet grass is a yes, but believe me when I tell you it will be gone in seconds...and not necessarily eaten, but more for the crunch value! As you would know, they chew everything! lol!

What else....mashed vegies as well. Left overs from dinner are a favourite with all my birds....especially if it has been warmed up a little

Seed rings are also popular, but again, will be destroyed in no time at all. I make all my own toys and she loves driftwood! Which I simply cut into pieces, drill a thick hole through and thread onto cotton rope and tie to her perches.....she destroys it all! lol....

Sorry rambling now....but basically my birds get everything that is good enough for me to eat with the exception of iceburg lettuce etc.

Snow pea shoots, mustard sprouts, etc etc....which I grow for my birds and reptiles.....variety is the key in my opinion.....Hope this helps a little

[flossy]

Just a few more things....Bok Choy, Squash, Chillies.....although these were always for my Eckies, all the birds are a bit partial to them now.....
Sorry for rambling.....but the list goes on and on......
I also pick the thistles etc if I am 150% sure there is no spray......Bottlebrush flowers, etc etc

[fledgling]

Hey Flossy, thanks for all the useful info and how's Toddles doing now? I hope she's on the mend the poor little thing.....

I don't think you were rambling at all - I've never had a Major before, so I need all the help I can get lol I'll try him on the oranges and kiwi fruit (do I leave the peel on the pieces?) and see how he goes. I'm sure he'll appreciate not having the same things everyday. I grow spinach in the garden and I never even thought to give him any lol. Can they eat peaches or dried fruit like dried apricot or banana chips? What about fresh banana - or is that too rich? Sorry for bombarding you with all these questions

I try to bribe Oscar with treats, but it doesn't work for me He shows no interest in the treat if there's something he really wants to do! At the moment his favourite passtime is jumping on top of my head to nibble my hair, and because I can't see him up there it's hard to get him down lol but I really want him to stop doing this because it's not a good habit (and his claws are really sharp) - any suggestions?

Anyway, I think I have definitely rambled on enough now! Thanks for your help,

Susie

[flossy]

Hi Susie......

Oscar sounds adorable!! I love Savannah...she is just gorgeous. We have had some behavioural problems with her too, but slowly getting there. My hubby freaked her out once and she lost trust, so she went from being his snuggly baby to a screaming biting nasty bird! But! with time and patience, I can now do anything with her but hubby can only give her the occassional scratch etc. He learnt the hard way that when a bird "says" no, it means NO! lol!

Anyways....all the things I've said are only MY opinion and others might disagree!!
Banana's are fine, full of potassium and vitamins - but Savannah doesn't really like them. (Thank goodness with the price of them lately! eekk!)

Everything is in moderation, that's why I give all my guys a varied diet. Peaches, plums etc should all be ok, just remove the seed, as I think they have toxins in them from memory. Also, with the oranges and kiwi, I leave the skin on.
The dried fruit I think would be too high in sugar, so that might not be a good idea. I do give pumpkin seeds, pistachio's etc...things like that though as treats.....)
And of course, the odd biscuit dunked in my cup of tea goes down a treat too! lol!
Oops....did I write that on here! lol

My personal opinion is to try and stop him from getting on your head. He might be showing his dominance and you need to get him out of that now. Nothing above shoulder height I believe is the golden rule? Others will correct me I'm sure.
I try and keep my babies below my shoulders , but on the odd occassion, of course, they are allowed up there to preen my hair and nibble my ears! lol
Their claws are another problem, and I can totally relate to that. My Savannah is good with that though, she will allow me to trim the tips off, and also she is wing clipped, and allows me to do that with no drama's at all. In fact, she holds her wings out for me, so I am blessed!

Use your own initiative Susie, you aren't stupid! We all have to learn and you will be guided by your own gut instinct. I was new to this once too, as we all were and sure we make mistakes, but that's how we learn. There is no definite right and wrong way I believe. I never even knew forums existed until a short time ago, and wow, they could have helped me through some situations - but hey, I've learnt from it all and it's all good.
Even the most experienced have problems!!

I get very passionate about this....lol. Sorry again!

Toddles is ok, thanks for asking.....it's just going to be a long battle. She is very anxious but I'm sure she will settle soon. I will try and post some pics up here of her soon as I work out how to do that! lol

take care Susie and please, don't hesitate to ramble on to me.....I will sure as the day is bright, ramble right back on at you! lol

Bye for now
Ann-Maree xx

[Robyn]

Mar 27, 2011 17:00:09 GMT 10 fledgling said:

Hi everyone,

I want to pick your brains on what fruit and vegetables to feed my Major Mitchell!

He's just over 4 months old and he loves sprouted seed, carrots, celery, corn, apple and peas, but I'm not sure what else he can have? I also give him almonds which he loves, though I'm not sure if he loves eating them or playing with them/breaking them more

I was told by the breeder that I bought him off to feed him on peachface mix, but he only seems to eat the sunflower seed out of this and he won't touch the other little seeds. I add extra sunflower seed to this mix, but I worry that he's not getting enough seed. Should I try him on a different seed? Can he eat millet grass (I've seen packets of it in the pet shop, but I wasn't sure if I can give it to my boy)?

Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated ;D

Hi Susie, here's a link of some foods you can try. Offer a huge variety of foods. Always remember though when offering treats all in moderation.

www.birdkeeper.com.au/_webapp_167986/The_Hookbill_Hobbyist

As far as keeping your bird off your head is up to you & you must be persistant. Each time he tries to get on your head stop him & say no. You have to teach your bird it's not an acceptable behavior. It is best to address a bad behavior before it gets out of hand & becomes a big problem.

I don't keep Majors as Companions any more mine are out in the aviary. I haven't been lucky enough to have a really friendly Major Mitch. I have had 2 & they were cute & sweet until they matured & then got very bitey. But i love them & love having them around.

[twr]

I don't have a major mitchell, but I do give my sun conure some dried fruit. Only organic and human grade. No added sugar, artificial preservatives or sulphur. I couldn't find any dried fruits in the supermarket that don't contain nasties.

I order mine from a company called Honest to Goodness. Their website is www.goodness.com.au.
The parrot rescue centre also sell a human grade dried fruit & nut mix fir parrots. Not sure if it's organic though.