Eclectus diet and chop questions

[Sunset_Chaser]

Ok, I've been doing tons of reading on what is best for the Eclectus and have a couple of questions for those more experienced. I know Ekkies need mostly fresh, should they have some sort of pellets or seed? Which would be better, Volkmans diet for Eclectus or Gold'n obles?

I made chop the other day and while I usually just make up enough to feed it fresh I decided to do a larger batch and freeze it, taking daily portions out as I need it. I encountered a couple of questions along the way

First off: Do you mix fruit in with your chop? Before freezing or do you add it in as you take it out to use it?

Second: Is chop supposed to be mushy when you feed it to the birds? Did I do something wrong?

I understand that variety is key but if you had to say what the top 10 veggies/fruits that Ekkies need what would they be? I'm going to use up the bag of TOPs that I bought (they didn't seem to like them very much, grinding most of them into powder) and am wondering what to buy for pellets or seed (if any?)

All input is welcome, just want to do what's best for my birds so bring on the advice/suggestions

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Also is there anything veggie-wise that is ok cooked but toxic if fed raw?

 

[labell]

Sometimes my chop is more mushy than others but basically the base is either brown rice, beans or quinoa and beans. The last batch I made I added cooked acorn squash with cinnamon baked in to the rice everyone loved it. To this I add all my chopped veggies at least two kinds of chopped leafy greens. Fruits I add fresh right before I serve.
I know I say this all the time but seriously rather than type it all out over and over there are a million idea recipes on the website Land of Vos. You can tweak them add or subtract depending on what you have on hand but it really is great for the basics and for giving you plenty of ideas.

I feed the Volkman's eclectus seed at night, only a little but I also use Gold'nobles as treats and in foraging toys.

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

WOW!! You weren't kidding!! There is TONS of GREAT info on there, THANK YOU! That answered most of my questions, except........... are there any veggies or anything that is ok to feed cooked but toxic if fed raw? Specifically, turnips? Are they ok raw?

 

[Mango121913]

Well I give Mango raw veggies on occasion. Washed in apple cider vinegar. Carrots, sweet potato, romaine lettuce, parsnips. I probably would turnips too. He likes them crunchy

 

[labell]

I feed mostly raw and I can't think of anything off hand that is toxic raw and isn't cooked. If it is toxic to birds than it is no matter whether it is cooked or not. There is a nice big list of no-no's on land of vos as well.
Sweet potatoes I can't get mine to eat cooked no matter what I do but if I cut them in small chunks every one loves them or if I cut the like chips and dehydrate them they are a big hit.

It's not as complicated in the long run as it seems at first. There is a huge range of stuff mine will eat. Of course that list gets much bigger in the summer months when more is available. I just keep it varied from week to week, the base is always simple and prepared in advance.

Yes I give raw turnips as well as beets either cut small or grated into my base mix.

 

[Terry57]

I bake my sweet potatoes in the oven, and before putting in, I cut slits into the potato and rub cayenne and cinnamon on the skin. It seeps in during the baking, and they go crazy for it, especially iwhen I dip the chunks in a little red chili flakes before serving.
And some beans are something that has to be cooked, and cooked well.

 

[labell]

Oh I do want to clarify that we were talking veggies. Yes beans must be cooked or soaked and sprouted but beans are not a vegetable so I didn't say that.

 

[Terry57]

Just wanted to make it clear about the beans

 

[Hawk]

I feed mostly raw and I can't think of anything off hand that is toxic raw and isn't cooked. If it is toxic to birds than it is no matter whether it is cooked or not. There is a nice big list of no-no's on land of vos as well.
Sweet potatoes I can't get mine to eat cooked no matter what I do but if I cut them in small chunks every one loves them or if I cut the like chips and dehydrate them they are a big hit.

It's not as complicated in the long run as it seems at first. There is a huge range of stuff mine will eat. Of course that list gets much bigger in the summer months when more is available. I just keep it varied from week to week, the base is always simple and prepared in advance.

Yes I give raw turnips as well as beets either cut small or grated into my base mix.

I had a rough time with my birds and raw veggies for a while, so I tried a steamer to lightly steam them so they are a little softer and still retain the vitamins. It works, Sometimes different size bites make a difference...every bird has their preference, so I tend to experiment toss out what doesn't work and use what dose. I have one of those Stainless steel skewer rods that I put fresh veggies and fruit on, that seems to be the only way they'll eat raw veggies....they won't eat raw from their dish....isn't that strange?