raw birds?

[raweyes]

I have a cockateil who is around 9 years old. I want to put him on raw. Does anyone know how to go about doing this, what I would feed him? He will not eat raw fruit or raw vegetables. I thought I would sneak some super green powder on his food to start.
When I put my nose to his feathers, he used to smell nice like corn, for months now an acidic and rank odor is coming from him. So I am worried about my fine feathered friend.

[Nayeli_Raw]

I have a cockateil who is around 9 years old. I want to put him on raw. Does anyone know how to go about doing this, what I would feed him? He will not eat raw fruit or raw vegetables. I thought I would sneak some super green powder on his food to start.
When I put my nose to his feathers, he used to smell nice like corn, for months now an acidic and rank odor is coming from him. So I am worried about my fine feathered friend.

I can't answer any questions about raw birds or birds at all, I have never had one! I just wanted to make a comment...

My hair stylist (she has been doing my hair for 12 years or something, since jr high/high school something like that) anyway, she has a bird (i dont know what kind but i think its some kind of small parrot maybe that is gray). I dont know but it talks. Anyway.. After talking to her, it sounds like she feeds her bird raw anyway, and she isn't raw or even vegetarian she just feeds the bird raw veggies and stuff. So I guess I always though birds were kind of naturally raw?

[Revvell]

Wait a minute. What HAVE you been feeding this bird? I raised birds (cockatiels, 'keets and finch) and NOTHING I fed them was ever cooked! Seeds, nuts, fruits, greens, veggies.. everything else a vegetarian should be eating.

Second time I've been confused today.

[HolyGuacamole]

Aww, I love cockatiels! What's his name?
My birds always ate veggies and fruits galore, they loved them extremely.
I assume you're feeding your birdie store bought "bird food," right?
Hmm, how to get him eating the good stuff. Hmm, hmm, hmm.
I will think about it and try to come up with some ideas.
I am shocked he doesn't like fruits and veggies, though. That is bizarro.

[MelissaO]

My Dad has a lot of birds, from parakeets to Macaws. They all eat the store bought seed. Some will eat fresh fruit and veggies, some will not. He has one Macaw that he took in because the owner no longer wanted it and the only thing he wants his junk food.

I would start with adding some fresh organic spinach, or romaine lettuce (of course you are still going to give her feathered friend the normal pet shop store seeds as well.). Millet spray is also an all time favorite with all the smaller birds.

[Emma-Liza]

Start with fruit. Just add it to the bowl with the seeds. My African grey parrot likes best: canteloupe, bananas, cherries, blackberries, and grapes, but he eats a wide variety of fruits and vegetables (more fruit than veggies tho). Try to get all organic, so you can just wash and chop. If it's not, peel it first. I'd put it on top of the seeds, so he has to deal with it to get to the stuff he is used to.

When we got our bird, the breeder told us to feed 1/2 fresh, 1/2 seed mix and that is what we've always done. He said the more fresh food the bird would eat, the longer he would live. He's about 15 now and in very good health.