Merlin learns to eat broccoli

2107 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Budget baby, Mar 22, 2015

Kare

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2015

I've been offering Merlin broccoli by hand, I first offered carrot but he turned his beak up to it. I figured broccoli kind of looks like green millet (I've been hand feeding millet every day) to a baby budgie, and to my surprise he started exploring the buds with his beak and tongue. That was 3 days ago I first offered it.
Today I offered again and just wanted to share as I had my phone with me to capture it. He was really into broccoli today, this was his third piece that size (he was seriously mowing the previous two pieces I didn't get on video). He drops a lot of buds he breaks off because he's still not 100% sure how to eat it, hehe. He also seems to enjoy the little stems that the buds are attached to.
Unfortunately I was filming through the bars because he's not "hand tame" yet, so my apologies to any bars that may show up. He's also going through his first molt. :budgie:

I thought he was done but apparently not so another video

He tries to keep a broccoli bud in his mouth so it doesn't fall out by moving his head in whatever direction the bud goes in his mouth, I thought this was hilarious! I wish I got it on video.

Then he preens himself after he finished his goodies

:budgie:

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PrincipePio

· #2 · Mar 21, 2015

Wow, he loves his broccoli! Well done! Now he will probably open up to drying different veggies and fruits - like an apple slice (no seeds) or some parsley leaves hung in his cage with a clothespin to hold them in place.

Your pictures are great!

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Jonah

· #3 · Mar 21, 2015

Such a handsome little fellow. My bird's love broccli. Thank's for sharing...

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Kare

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 21, 2015

Thanks everyone!
I'm hoping to work on apple, carrot, and kale next, as we always have an abundance of those in our home for our rabbit.

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StarlingWings

· #5 · Mar 21, 2015

Merlin is such a beautiful boy!! Awesome job getting him to eat broccoli, that's half the battle won!

:thumbsup:If he is picky about carrot, like Mallorn is, I would grate some and offer it to him in a little dish. Maybe he would like it better?

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AlterEgon

· #6 · Mar 21, 2015

Aw. He's SO PRETTY! And really enjoys his broccoli there!

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Kare

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 21, 2015

Thanks

!
I was definitely pleased, as my 4 year old lovey will turn her nose up to her veggies every time.
I had grated a long piece of organic carrot and he put his beak on it but didn't chomp down, so he was definitely curious! I might see if there's some way I could stick carrot between the broccoli branches and see if he'll try it that way. But for only being here 2 weeks I think eating his broccoli is a huge step.

It always reminds me of trying to get children to eat their veggies

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Kare

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 22, 2015

Offered him a shaved piece of organic carrot and he took a couple nibbles :clap:

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justmoira

· #9 · Mar 22, 2015

Just you wait, it gets better! My two LOVE broccoli and I put in three stalks of it wedged between the bars of the cage, and afterwards all the floret is gone and just a shredded stalk remains, looks like a shark attack or something. It's the best when I put it in an awkward place and they are hanging upside down having to work for it!

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HarryBird

· #10 · Mar 22, 2015

That's a beautiful boy! I loved the videos.

Keep offering a variety of veggies prepared different ways. Budgies are funny and it can take them a long time to warm up to new foods.

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Budget baby

· #11 · Mar 22, 2015

What a clever little boy and very cute I might add. he will continue to surprise you I am sure.

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