In the March and November issues of Bird Talk, there is a recipe for Cockatiel bread. This idea came from that, and by using a mix (who has baking powder around anymore?) it is simpler to whip up a batch.
My first batch was made with Corn Muffin mix (Jiffy mixes are commonly 3/$1 or less). I added a small (individual size) can of mixed fruit, a personal sized small box of raisins, two tablespoons of peanut butter and some powdered bird vitamins. I baked it in a pyrex loaf dish. You could make muffins; it doesn't matter. When it was cool, I sliced it into chunks and froze them in a bread bag. Then I reheat what I will use at one time in the microwave. Serve it warm or cool. Make sure it's not hot! All four of my birds (Blue & Gold Macaw, Blue-Fronted Amazon, Timneh Grey, and Goffin's Cockatoo) loved this, so I tried another batch.
First, I ground some rejected "parrot pellets" into a powder using a blender. The second batch started with bran muffin mix to which I added a small can of mixed vegetables, the pellet powder, and some leftover baked beans (here's another way to use up leftovers) and parrot vitamins (powdered). They seemed to like this batch too. I don't see any on the bottom of the cage. In fact, I tasted this and it was great. It smelled like gingerbread.
For my next batch, I'll start with oatmeal muffin mix. The Jiffy mix uses one egg and milk. I use water and dry milk because it has less fat. I would suggest using a whole grain muffin mix, like the corn, bran or oatmeal, instead of plain. With just a little imagination you can give your bird pals interesting treats that are actually part of a healthy diet. This will encourage finicky birds to eat what's good for them.
My Goffin's and Timneh aren't too fond of trying new foods; the Macaw and Amazon will try anything from my plate. However, this way they all get a good variety in their diet, as they all will eat the Parrot Bread with relish. By the time they start getting bored with the bread, they will have a new, different batch to perk them up. You could keep several containers in the freezer labeled A, B, C and have three kinds frozen and vary the offering each day. If you have one or two birds, this might be a good idea so they don't get tired of the same bread. With four birds, mine doesn't last too long.
With a little imagination and common sense your birds will have a healthier and more varied diet. I think this could help in converting seed eaters to healthy food too, especially the corn mix. And you'll have fun coming up with new varieties to tempt them. So give it a try.
My cockatiels are particularly fond of any soft, cooked mixtures. If you cannot find exactly the same ingredients or if you're birds have particular likes or dislikes, feel free to alter these recipes accordingly.
Soak beans overnight. Add carrots and cook with beans for one hour. Add corn and rice and cook till warm. Cool and serve. Store excess in leak proof containers.
Soak beans overnight. Cook for one hour or until done. Add corn 50 minutes after you started beans cooking. Drain water and serve. Store excess in leakproof containers.
Soak millet in water for 20 minutes prior to cooking. Mix together with rice and serve warmed.
Mix ingredients together and serve immediately. Change at least twice a day to make sure your birds doesn't digest any soured foods. You can replace the Bag O' Bugs with live insects.
Mix all grains together. Heat three cups boiling water and add one cup mixture. Cook until the consistency of oatmeal. This can be added to some of your corn bread recipes! Sprinkle avian vitamins over cereal.
As with humans, birds benefit from a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Each bird has its special likes and dislikes. Vary your offerings to see what your bird likes best. Remember that birds do not have as developed a sense of taste as humons do. Therefore, they often relish foods, such as spinach and jalopeno peppers, that we consider too strong in flavour. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while for your bird to try a new food or if it seems to throw most of it around. That's just part of being a bird. Remember to wash fresh produce to eliminate pesticides and NEVER GIVE AVOCADO. This can be toxic to birds.
Core apples. Put apples in baking dish after spraying with non-stick coating. Do not use teflon. It gives off harmful fumes that could kill your birds. Combine wheat germ, raisins, cinnamon, pine nuts, and vitamins. Fill center of apples with this mixture. Drizzle juice over apples. Bake about 45 minutes.
Combine all ingredients and toss well. Can be frozen until further use.
Put the apples in a 1-quart baking dish and cover them with carrots. Sprinkle the flour and vitamins over the apples and carrots. Drizzle with honey. Pour orange juice over entire dish and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
Mix all ingredients together. Sprinkle with vitamins. This can be stored in the refrigerator for further use.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Put half the apples in a shallow 1-quart baking dish and cover them with half the carrots. Sprinkle with one tablespoon flour and one tablespoon avian vitamins. Drizzle two tablespoonfuls of honey over flour. Dot with two tablespoons of butter. Repeat the layers. Pour orange juice over entire mixture and bake for 40-45 minutes. Dish out into one inch squares. Let cool and place in plastic bags to freeze.
Cut cantaloupe into pieces your birds can handle. Peel orange and cut into pieces. Mix all together with grapes. This mixture can be frozen in bags and served daily.
Most birds loved baked goods, but many of those we eat are not particularly healthy for them, or us. These are a good alternative. Remember that muffins can be frozen and thawed individually as needed.
Mix together all dry ingredients. Stir in milk, eggs, oil, and vegetables. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool and cut into one inch cubes and store in plastic bags.
Mix all dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients. Grease two 9x12" pans and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool and cut into one inch cubes and store in plastic bags.
Mix ingredients. Grease baking dish and bake at 300 degrees until toothpick comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Cool and cut into one inch cubes.
Mix ingredients in a large bowl, adding enough water to make a cake-like batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl and add milk, oil, eggs, dog food, and vegetables. Grease baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Grease muffin tins lightly . Soak the millet in the milk for 10 minutes. Combine dry ingredients and lemon rind. Add the millet mixture egg and melted butter. Stir in blueberries carefully. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.
Combine all dry ingredients. Add juice, egg whites, vanilla, pineapple, and carrots. Place in muffin tins and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add egg whites, apple juice, and oil. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Combine dry ingredientsr. Mix in eggs, milk, oil, zucchini and carrots. Stir until barely smooth. Cook on hot griddle until done. These can be cooled and store in freezer bags.
Place baby vegetables on the surface of the pizza crust. Add cheese then top off with carrots and vitamins. Warm until cheese is melted. Cut into handleable pieces.
Preheat oven to 450°F, combine all ingredients, sprinkle oatmeal on top of batter after it is in the pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Bread can be cut in the appropriate size pieces and frozen until needed (be careful of freezer burn, though).
Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Mix everything together and divide into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until top of bread is light brown. Allow to cool. Cut into the appropriate size pieces and freeze.
BIRDS CANNOT THRIVE ON DIETS CONSISTING ONLY OF SEED. Seed should be given sparingly to your birds as a treat to suppliment a well-balanced diet of fresh veggies, cooked mixtures, and specially formulated pellets. Seed is like candy to birds. Speaking of which, never give chocolate or caffeinated beverages to birds. These contain toxins that can kill your pet.
Mix and store in containers.
Mix and store in containers.
Mix and store in containers.
Mix and store in containers.
Mix well and store in containers.
Mix and store in container.
Mix together and store in airtight container. This mixture is great to feed parents who are feeding young. It is a fast source of food and they eat it very well.
Fill a large jar about half full with seed and fill with warm water. Let the jar sit about 12-24 hours then drain seeds and rinse with cold water. At this time they have a lot of nutritional value but it increases once they germinate. In addition to the jar you might want to buy the special lids that are located in the health food stores to germinate sprouts. Rinse seeds about two times a day. Make sure the seeds do not get sour so mix them around in the jar. Serve seeds moist not wet.
The hand-feeding of parrots is probably the most important factor in their growing acceptance as pets. Hand-fed birds are imprinted to humans and make wonderful companions. To prevent heartbreak, it is best to find a local breeder who can teach you the basics before jumping into this complicated arena.
Mix in blender with enough water for the desired consistency. Store in refrigerator for further use.
Put ingredients in blender. Add enough water for desired consistency. Store in refrigerator.
Mix with enough water for desired consistency. Make fresh for every feeding. Baby food can be stored in refrigerator after being opened.
Mix with warm water and feed.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and seemed to be relished by birds. Don't let such mixtures sit out for long, especially in summer, as they can go bad quickly.
Mash eggs and shells well with a fork. Add Bag O' Bugs and Petamine and combine. Store unused portions in the refrigerators.
Mix ingredients and keep in dry place. Add three heaping teaspoons to one hard boiled egg. Keep this mixture refrigerated.
Mix ingredients well. Store in refrigerator.
Mix all ingredients together and serve in a crumbly type mixture. This can be stored in the refrigerator.
Soak beans for 1 hour before preparing. Drain.
Mix all of the above in a bowl. Should be pasty consistance, but not runny. Add water if necessary. Spread on plate, and cover. Cook in Microwave on High for 6 minutes. Remove and break up with fork. Sprinkle vitamins and mix well. I usually grate some cheese on top for flavor.
If you feed your pet a varied and interesting diet, you will be rewarded by years of love and devotion. Why not adjust your eating habits to ensure you will be around for your bird to enjoy for a long time?
Beat egg white and oil until frothy. Add juice and blend. Add flour, oats, baking soda, Petamine, and cinnamon and blend well. Stir in walnuts or pine nuts and fruit bits. Place teasponfuls on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Combine butter, cinnamon, and vitamins. Drizzle over popcorn, tossing gently.