Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 9,539
- 111
- Parrots
- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
So, I always notice diet is a hot topic with parrots on here :09: and after poking around the other day for some new treat recipes, I came to the realization many birdie recipes are geared towards very large flocks portion-wise, and some are nearly impossible to scale down for a single bird or smaller flock! It would take Kiwi months to eat something baked in an 11x13 pan, and stuff that's been frozen for a long period of time just never comes out right from the freezer (IMO). I have heard of a lot of single birds who never get baked goods or home cooked meals because recipes are simply too large of portions 
Plus, many recipes include added sugar, or use brand-name baking "mixes" as bases that are full of preservatives and things birds probably shouldn't eat. Just wanted to throw in some recipes for Kiwi's dietary mainstays, and how to simplify healthy, home cooked meals for the folks who only have one or two birds:
First thing to invest in is toaster-oven size baking dishes for really small portions. Mine are about 8x6 and cost under $10 each at Ross, or you can find them online.
My "birdie bars" (Fruit OR Veggie)
1/2 cup uncooked oats
1/2 cup small seed mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg (with shell, crushed)
PINCH of baking soda
For Fruit bars: 1 apple, finely chopped + 1 banana, mashed
OR
For veg. bars: 1 can veg-all OR aprx. 1 cup chopped mixed veg of your choice
Once all ingredients have been mixed well, spread onto greased (I use olive oil) 8x6 baking sheet and bake at 350f for 30-35 minutes. Is done when toothpick comes out clean, and has a texture similar to a chewy granola bar. When I make them, I make a tray each of the fruit bars and a tray of the veggie bars. I cut them into roughly 2x2" squares, and Kiwi gets a fruit bar in the morning and a veggie bar at night. This recipe lasts him about 3 weeks, so it doesn't get too bad in the freezer by the end.
As for a main-course, I use Volkmans soak n simmer, but you can also mix your own beans, grains and pasta mix (many recipes using the dry good online, which keep indefinitely). The key is not to make up a huge bunch at once. About 1 1/2 cups (dry ingredients) cooked up at the beginning of the week (and stored in the fridge) will last a medium-large bird all week. The way I portion for Kiwi is he gets a heaping spoonful in his dish (I use a soup spoon), and IF he finishes, he gets a second. Usually, he does not finish 2 spoonfuls. By filling a dish, you create a lot of waste or (with amazons especially) promote obesity due to unlimited portion size.
Of course you also always want your bird to have fresh fruit and veg every day in addition to their home-made (with love) staple foods. And they won't object to a little of whatever your eating either (variety is the spice of life, after all!):09:
(Kiwi with a fresh batch of the home made goodness he eats daily)
:
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Plus, many recipes include added sugar, or use brand-name baking "mixes" as bases that are full of preservatives and things birds probably shouldn't eat. Just wanted to throw in some recipes for Kiwi's dietary mainstays, and how to simplify healthy, home cooked meals for the folks who only have one or two birds:First thing to invest in is toaster-oven size baking dishes for really small portions. Mine are about 8x6 and cost under $10 each at Ross, or you can find them online.
My "birdie bars" (Fruit OR Veggie)
1/2 cup uncooked oats
1/2 cup small seed mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg (with shell, crushed)
PINCH of baking soda
For Fruit bars: 1 apple, finely chopped + 1 banana, mashed
OR
For veg. bars: 1 can veg-all OR aprx. 1 cup chopped mixed veg of your choice
Once all ingredients have been mixed well, spread onto greased (I use olive oil) 8x6 baking sheet and bake at 350f for 30-35 minutes. Is done when toothpick comes out clean, and has a texture similar to a chewy granola bar. When I make them, I make a tray each of the fruit bars and a tray of the veggie bars. I cut them into roughly 2x2" squares, and Kiwi gets a fruit bar in the morning and a veggie bar at night. This recipe lasts him about 3 weeks, so it doesn't get too bad in the freezer by the end.
As for a main-course, I use Volkmans soak n simmer, but you can also mix your own beans, grains and pasta mix (many recipes using the dry good online, which keep indefinitely). The key is not to make up a huge bunch at once. About 1 1/2 cups (dry ingredients) cooked up at the beginning of the week (and stored in the fridge) will last a medium-large bird all week. The way I portion for Kiwi is he gets a heaping spoonful in his dish (I use a soup spoon), and IF he finishes, he gets a second. Usually, he does not finish 2 spoonfuls. By filling a dish, you create a lot of waste or (with amazons especially) promote obesity due to unlimited portion size.
Of course you also always want your bird to have fresh fruit and veg every day in addition to their home-made (with love) staple foods. And they won't object to a little of whatever your eating either (variety is the spice of life, after all!):09:
(Kiwi with a fresh batch of the home made goodness he eats daily)
:
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