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Elite Member
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 8/25/2008 7:47 AM
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Mash Recipe by Shauna Roberts
Background: This is what I have been feeding my flock, although only for 9
yrs
(as of 2006), ever since a cockatoo was diagnosed with a kidney problem and
so far it has worked great. Other's in the flock have come with
malnutrition,
plucking, liver problems, immune deficiencies. Blood work has been done
often along with exams which sometimes have included radiographs to keep
an eye on certain health conditions. So far my flocks health has remained
good or improved.
Good and bad news about this recipe. The bad news is that the recipe amounts
are up to you. The good news is that the recipe amounts are up to you. Not
having exact amounts given may seem complicated or confusing at first but
because flock size and food amount needs vary, this recipe gives you the
freedom of coming up with a plan to suit your needs. This mash recipe varies
from others in that the foods are fresher, because produce is added daily,
rather than cooked in with grains and legumes.
GRAINS: Combine as many whole grains as you like but make sure you choose
at least 3: millet, quinoa, amaranth, oats (whole, not rolled or cut),
hulless
barley (not pearled), spelt or kamut, teff, brown rice, wild rice,
buckwheat. I
combine at least 3 grains each time, often more and I always include either
amaranth, quinoa or both and keep any rice in small amounts. Grains are
then soaked and sprouted OR soaked for at least 8 hours and lightly cooked
by heating until they almost boil, covering and turning off the heat. I
often
cook grains during the coldest winter months.
Guideline example recipe: Combine the chosen grains to equal 2 cups.
LEGUMES: Add a combination of adzuki, mung, sprouting peas and lentils.
Soak them overnight at least 8 hours and then cook by rinsing, adding fresh
water, bring to full boil. Boil for 10 minutes uncovered then cover and
simmer
for 20 minutes. If your sprout legumes be sure to wait for tails to be at
least
1/4" long on the lentils and the other legumes tails to reach about 1/2" in
length. These legumes are used because they are easier to digest than other
varieties. Sprouting takes about 3 days. If you sprout, you can sprout them
with the grains. I recommend using an Easy Sprouter. It is important for
digestibility that legumes either be cooked for fully sprouted.
Guideline example recipe: Combine legumes to equal 1 cup.
Mix the legumes and grains a little differently each time but always have
approximately 2 parts grains to 1 part of legume in order to have a complete
the amino acid profile, which results in a complete protein. When combined ,
grains and legumes offer a complete protein that is easily digestible, more
so
than animal protein.
Guideline example recipe: combine grains and legumes to equal 3 cups.
You now have your recipe base to which you'll add any chosen fresh produce
(veggies and fruit), daily for your bird (if need be you can also add
organic
frozen vegetables or fruit). The grain/legume mixture can be stored in the
refrigerator for 2-3 days or if you make larger batches it can be frozen. To
make it convenient you can freeze in 1-2 days serving sizes and thaw in the
fridge for 24 hours before you plan to serve. Using a microwave to thaw food
is not recommended.
Once the legume/grain mix is done...and cooled if it has been cooked, add
at
least 3-6 organic vegetables and 2-3 fruits. The legume/grain mixture
should be approximately 45% of the meal. The combined greens and veggies
should make up 45%, and 10% can be fruit and other additions.
Choose veggies from different categories to help you cover nutritional
bases,
and be sure to vary these some each time if possible, and offer seasonal
foods. Choose at lease one or more from EACH of the 3 categories, until you
have at least 6 choices.
VEGETABLES:
Category 1-Orange veggies (choose at least 1 or more in this category):
pumpkin, carrots, acorn or butternut squash, red pepper (keep peppers to a
minimum due to their solanine content which inhibits calcium absorption).
Category 2-Dark Leafy greens (choose at least 2 or more in this category):
kale, dandelion greens, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens (you
may also want to occasionally add beet greens, spinach or chard, even though
their calcium, iron, magnesium content is limited due to their oxalic acid
content, if your bird has kidney problems, high oxalic foods should be
avoided)
Category3-Other veggies ( you should have at least 5-6 or more veggies,
covering all 3categories, to mix into the grain/legume mixture) : broccoli
(if
you lightly steam you will significantly increase the calcium content, offer
steamed and raw for variation), celery, cucumber, romaine or other dark
leafy
lettuce, jicama, peas, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, red or green pepper,
cabbage, Chinese cabbage, bokchoy, carrot tops, cactus leaf, okra, kohlrabi,
spaghetti squash, cauliflower, radish,chayote squash, zucchini, brussel
sprouts, escarole, endive, corn, beet root
Edamame (green soy) can be offered about 2-3 times a week as one of the
veggies.
Guideline for serving-If you are serving 1 cup of grains/legumes mixture to
your birds that day, then you'll want to add approximately 1 cup or a little
more of vegetables from the above 3 categories.
Fruits (choose 2-3 in season) (Generally about 10% of the total serving):
papaya, mango, strawberries, blueberries, pomegranate, blackberries,
raspberries, kiwi, oranges, cantaloupe or other melon, nectarine, cherries,
apricot, grapefruit, banana, pears, apple, figs, pineapple, lemon, lime
When adding foods that birds aren't crazy about, chop them very fine. You
may even chop food in a food processor to help introduce it to your flock.
If
your bird picks through food, which can easily result in an unbalanced diet,
finely chopping foods is highly recommended.
Additions: You may also want to occasionally add to the mash a little broken
up organic whole grain pasta, shavings of wheat grass, cooked egg (1/4-1/2
teaspoon per bird 1-2 times per week, do NOT include the eggshell), non fat
organic yogurt (1/4-1/2 teaspoon per bird a few times a week), sprouted
grain bread crumbs, edible flowers (make sure they aren't sprayed), a small
piece of finely minced piece of garlic clove can be mixed in 3-5 times per
week, or a dash of seasoning such as cinnamon, cayenne (do not give to
birds
with fatty liver), fresh grated ginger, turmeric, un sweetened coconut or
even a
little fresh washed chickweed or clover from your garden.
Seed: These can also be added in small amounts if you like. Sprouted seeds
are preferred. Sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, sesame, nut pieces.
Add supplements. These can be added daily or added to the grain/legume
base if you prefer.
Kelp- needs to be given in very minute amounts but is important to include.
If
you add it to the grain/legume base, add 1/4 teaspoon to 3 cups of base
mixture. If you add it daily, then about the size that would fit on the end
of a
pencil or 1/10 of 1/4 teaspoon for a medium sized parrot.
Green supplements: Rotate these...Powdered alfalfa and either wheat or
barley
grass. Alfalfa 4 or more days a week and then wheat or barley grass on the
other days. These are usually purchased in capsule form that can be opened.
A light sprinkling daily to provide vitamins, minerals, trace minerals.
Suggested amounts daily: Less than 1/8 capsule for birds under 100 grams,
1/8 capsule for birds up to 250 g, 1/4 capsule 250-500g, 1/3 capsule
500g-750 g, 1/2 capsule 750g-100g.
If desired a product called Veggie Magma which contains several powdered
vegetables can also be lightly dusted and mixed into mash.
A small pinch of hemp protein powder, per bird, a few days a week if
desired
for extra protein and balance.
EFA's: Freshly ground Flax seed (use a coffee grinder just for this purpose)
daily OR or cold pressed and dated, hemp seed oil 4-5 days per week.
Approximately 1 drop of oil per 250grams that your bird weighs. If grinding
flaxseed then about 1/4 teasp. per 250 grams. For budgies you may want to
use less.
Alternate with unrefined organic palm oil on other days. A tiny bit for
smaller
birds. Approximately 1/8 teaspoon for every 250 grams. Palm oil appears to
provide some of the best antioxidant protection containing natural
beta-carotene as well as alpha and gamma carotene's and lycopene.
Another oil to consider adding at times may be sea buckthorn. 1 drop per 250
grams.
A squirt of organic ACV (apple cider vinegar) if desired:approximate ly 1/4
teasp birds up to 250g, 1/2 teasp up to 500g etc.
If needed, a quality acidophilus (probiotic) can be mixed in. Lori,
Moderator of Feeding Feathers
Gonzo U2 - Hatchday 9-9-1999
"I will lend to you, a Bird", God said, and teach you all you have to do.
And when I call him back to heaven, you will know he loved you too.
Located In Rockford Michigan
Hand fed baby Lovebirds and cockatiels
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Executive Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/10/2008 12:16 PM
Posts: 56,
Visits: 36
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| I saw this in another place lisa and thought you might like to read it The seed -v- pellet debate is as volatile as religion and/or
politics! I think every avian vet is promoting pellet use but I just
can't get the gist of it all.
I also live in Australia and get to see wild cockatoos and other
parrots, every day of my life. I watch them and try and get an idea
of what they are eating in the wild. I have never seen a poorly
feathered wild bird yet! Their feathers are always brightly coloured
and in peak condition, even when moulting.
We know that diet plays a part in feather condition, and my argument
is that I've never seen a plant with pellets growing on it, for the
wild birds to eat. So why do we have to feed pellets to our captive
birds?
The answer is simple. We don't! No one food is a complete diet for
any bird and even when feeding pellets, we also have to give other
foods, to form a balanced diet. I agree with Holly, that there are a
lot of pellets that have a lot of additives in them, that just aren't
needed by a healthy bird! If I had fed Boomer on pellets, he would
have died a lot sooner than he did, because the vitamin D and calcium
would have built up a lot quicker!
No matter which way I look at it, pellets are still a man made,
processed food, with nothing in it's natural form present. Even
though bought seed is also processed, it is a lot more natural than
any pellet you can buy.
Ideally we would give our captive birds the same diet their wild
counterparts eat. That is not possible, cause we still don't know a
lot about what birds eat in the wild. I have seen cockatoos eating
grubs and insects and yet cockatoos are not throught to be
carnivorous at all. Grubs and insects provide extra protein and the
birds obviously know what they need and adapt their diet (as best
they can) to meet their own nutritional requirements.
Like humans, birds need a balanced diet and my guys are fed a variety
of fresh fruit and vegies, rice, pulses and fresh seed heads that I
grow here at home. They love to get into a stem of sorghum or millet
and I also give them some good quality seed, which they eat very
little of. They only supplement with the seed.
Vets also say you get better breeding results from a pelleted diet.
I have proved this wrong also. Even when breeders feed pellets, I
find my birds will breed just as well as the pelleted diet birds. I
adapt my birds diet to accommodate breeding conditions and the change
in diet and the amount of rain we have, often send my birds to the
nest.
People think it is really funny to see me feeding tuna to my
Lorikeets. Tuna is a protein food, which is needed in preparation
for breeding. Once the tuna goes into the aviary, the birds will eat
it with relish and the keets will be on eggs, 3 weeks later. The
same species of birds, fed a pelleted diet, will go to nest much
later.
I personally think that pellets are not worth what they cost and I
only use them as a variant in the birds diet, to give them some
change.
MOM of Two
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Executive Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/10/2008 12:16 PM
Posts: 56,
Visits: 36
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Some excellent tips for newbie parrot
slaves and others too!
I received this from Drs Foster and Smith who gave me permission
to
cross post this.
1. Say no to seed-only diets
Parrots love seeds, but seeds are inappropriate as a daily diet
for
psittacine birds. Seeds are nutritionally incomplete. Over time,
seed-
only consumption leads to nutritional deficiencies and
malnutrition,
even in birds that appear obese. Have your avian veterinarian
examine
your bird, and if he is healthy enough to make a dietary switch,
we
recommend pellets as the base diet for most bird species, along
with
fresh vegetables and a sprinkling of fruits, seeds, and nuts.
Follow
your veterinarian' s recommendations for making the switch.
2. It's not just WHAT you feed, it's HOW
In nature, birds often find their food underneath or wedged inside
obstacles like shells, branches, or layers of leaves. To keep pet
birds interested in their food, their food should be presented in
a
variety of ways. Hide pellets inside hollowed out toys. Mix his
pellets with inedible items like wooden toy pieces and cotton and
leather strips. Offer fresh vegetables on a shish-kabob. Be
creative –
give your bird the joy of working for a meal.
3. Understand fortified seeds
Seed hulls have little nutritional value; they are mostly complex
carbohydrate of an insoluble nature. Most birds cast aside the
hull
in favor of the meatier center. Fortified seed mixes contain most
of
the fortification in the hull – a fact that poses little benefit
to
birds that discard hulls.
4. Know which foods are toxic to birds
They include chocolate (baker's, semisweet, milk, dark), alcohol,
avocado, salt, yeast dough, coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate
espresso beans), tea, colas, and other caffeinated beverages.
Avoid
feeding apple seeds, or the pits from cherries, plums, apricots,
and
peaches. Onions and garlic may also pose toxicity risks to certain
birds.
5. Avoid vitamin over-supplementatio n
Fat-soluble Vitamins A, D3, and E can build up in your bird's fat
tissues, causing toxicity if overdosed. These are also vitamins
for
which birds can have deficiencies. Trust your species-specific
pellet
diet to provide the correct amount, and supplement only upon
veterinarian recommendation. Note: Though birds can suffer
toxicity
when overdosed with Vitamin A, toxicity is not a risk with beta
carotene, the precursor of Vitamin A. Birds process beta carotene
into Vitamin A as their body needs it.
6. Insist on sanitation
Food and water bowls that are not cleaned daily become petrie
dishes
for the growth of dangerous bacteria and mold. Likewise,
decomposed
food in water bowls and regurgitated food on toys and accessories
all
contribute to the growth of potentially dangerous microorganisms
that
can make your bird sick. Insist on a sanitary feeding environment;
remove uneaten fresh foods at day's end, provide fresh water (in a
clean dispenser) daily, and wash food bowls daily. If your tap
water
contains metal toxins or high bacteria levels, use a tap water
filter.
MOM of Two
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Executive Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/10/2008 12:16 PM
Posts: 56,
Visits: 36
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Here are some ideas that help you save money:
Your single bird only needs a swing and a couple toys at any given time. Rotate out the toys every month. Even when you put a used but not destroyed toy back in the cage, he will think it is brand new, or if not be delighted to see an old friend.
Some are destructo-birds when it comes to perches (and some not). If yours is one of these, you might go with grapevine or manzanita that is harder to kill.
If you have bird marts in your area, you can sometimes pick up toys a little cheaper than the pet stores.
Ditto some of the foods and supplements.
If you have the space, grow your own organic garden for the good stuff like kale and carrots. Lots of good bird foods grow well in a backyard garden. Just make sure your neighbors (if you have any) are not pesticide crazy and will have their stuff blow over into your yard. (You can wash your veggies off with vinegar if you are not sure.) It is nice to live next to someone with a scraggly lawn because you know you are safe. You can eat from your garden, too! And if you have the space, plant some fruit trees. If you already have fruit trees, you might consider getting a dehydrator.
MOM of Two
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Elite Member
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 8/25/2008 7:47 AM
Posts: 465,
Visits: 268
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| Cheesy Pasta Surprise Ingredients 1 lb bag of small elbow macaroni
1/2-1 lb cheddar (or your preference) cheese, shredded orsmall cubes
1/4-1/2 cup milk
1 can (or small bag frozen) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (or small bag frozen) peas, drained
2 cans tuna, drained Procedure Boil macaroni until desired doneness. Drain and place back into pot. Turn burner to medium-low heat and add cheese, stirring and folding gently until almost melted. Add milk as needed during melting process for creamier texture and easier melting. Add veggies and tuna and continue mixing until all ingredients are heated and cheese is fully melted. Take a small birdie sized portion for each of your birds and place it in their bowls and let it cool before serving. They'll love it! And you don't have to make something else for you and the kids. Now if yu want, you can mix in sprouts, pellets, or whatever you'd like to add. I don't...they love it just like this.
Located In Rockford Michigan
Hand fed baby Lovebirds and cockatiels
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