How Long Can a Lovebird Go Without Eating?

[Sunny&Mars]

I am just wondering how long can a lovebird go without eating?

I want to make my feather picker work for his food. If I remove his food dish during the day and hide the same amount of food that would be in there in various places is in his cage (and leave his water) will he be fine from the 9 hours or so that we are gone?

My plan is to have him eat from his dish first thing in the morning and put it back in when we get home. I am just wondering if this is a good or bad idea.

 

[webchirp]

Start making his food very visible and then work your way up to tougher foraging. I wouldn't remove the dish completely at first...maybe put less amounts in it until you are certain he will forage. Try not to upset the balance on a plucker too much. Too stressed and you'll get the plucking you're trying to avoid. @Mizzely is very good with foraging thoughts.

 

[Mizzely]

I would slowly work up to itlike Chandra mentioned, and probably only do complete foraging to start on days where you can be home to monitor. 9 hours is a long time to go without food if he can't find it!

 

[Sunny&Mars]

I would slowly work up to itlike Chandra mentioned, and probably only do complete foraging to start on days where you can be home to monitor. 9 hours is a long time to go without food if he can't find it!

Good ideas everyone (two people so far! LOL). I do hide the "seed ball" (mixture of pellets and seeds... I forget the exact name) and some millet in one of the paper coin wrappers. Thing is as soon as I put him in the cage he goes directly for that... not much foraging involved! LOL

I will start slowly and see what happens. I am actually taking him to the vet to see if there is anything wrong with him. I've had him there previously and they didn't find anything - they think and I think it is behavioral. I just want to confirm again though.

 

[Mizzely]

Yeah I employ several foraging toys in my house!

Pictures - Feathered Estates Highlight - February 2018 - Mizzely | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

Some reviews of reusable Foraging Toys

Some ideas from toys I make: Foraging Toys