Fresh veg is the best but is it ok to given frozen veg?

[Ecclipse]

I live out of town and its quiet a shlep to go into town often so I wanted to know if its ok to boil frozen veg and give it to Rosie. I know that fresh veg is the best but I cant always get into town to buy. I was thinking of getting the frozen veg mix and boiling a little each day. What do you guys/gals think? Any advice would be great

 

[Aussie Ben]

Yea your right, fresh is the best. However, I use frozen mixed veggies (peas, beans, corn, carrot) and I use them every day. Usually I just put a handful in a mug, boil the kettle and let them soak for a few minutes. I do cook them sometimes too. Other veggies like celery, broccoli etc I just give fresh. I know a lot of books that recommend frozen (probably for convenience), but I think as long as you buy a 'good' brand, there should be no problem.

 

[Ecclipse]

Thanks Aussie Ben for the advice, Im fully aware that its best to feed fresh veg and will do all I can to get fresh veg as much as possible. Sorry for maybe sounding slow - lol but how long do you soak the veg in the mug for or should I say how do you know when its ok to stop soaking?

 

[Ecclipse]

Another question Ben, um, the breeder said that coleslaw is loved by lovebirds. He said that you mix carrot and cabbage - do you know how many times week you can feed it? Or can you feed it as many times as you want. I will only feed when I get to a shop but will feed until runs out or goes off. Im just worried that it will upset Rosie's tummy.

 

[Aussie Ben]

hmmm, don't know about the coleslaw thing sorry, so can't shed too much light on that. The ingredients are all healthy for birds (minus the sauce lol). I might just have to steal that idea, I'm sure my ekkie will love it. I suppose it could be fed a fair bit during the week. I guess it depends on how much your bird eats. I have a similar question about rice and sweet potato. I make up a mix with these two ingredients as a base, but i'm not sure how often I can feed it.

As for frozen veggies, I just let them sit there till they are fully defrosted (2-3 minutes). Then I drain the water, let it cool for a minute so its not too hot and serve. Whether or not this is 'the best' way to serve I don't know. The veggies are still technically raw at this stage, just warmed. My birds like it though.

Also, maybe just rinsing the frozen veggies in cold water so they stay a little frozen, would be a nice summer time treat mmmmm

 

[Ecclipse]

Hi Ben, Im going to go and find a list a vet gave me, he spe******es in birds....will go look now and will post it for you - it mentions rica and sweet potato...brb

 

[Ecclipse]

To alternate everyday or give small bits of each:

RAW: carrots, butternut, sweet potatoe, beetroot, green peppers, chillies, broccoli, green beans, baby marrows, apples, pears, granadella

GIVE OCCASIONALLY: Cooked macaroni - no salt or sauces, white chicken meat - no skin, chicken bone, chop - no spices, cheese, boiled egg

EXTRA: Orange, gauva, corn, spanspek, paw-paw, banana

This was given to me by the vet and he said that I can add on as long as its not things like avo etc. Im sure you can feed rice instead of pasta...hope this helps. Think I will feed the coleslaw 3 times a week or so in case. Let me know how your ekkie likes it

 

[Aussie Ben]

Thanks for that. I pretty well go by that diet surprisingly. I am still yet to give my birds chicken bones or any kind of meat, but they do get egg...they love it like candy. Some of the other foods i have given are Blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, peach , pair, mango, celery, red peppers, brown rice... etc. Pretty much 3-4 of whatever is in the fridge/pantry that day lol, plus the veggies on top (veggies are always the same). I feed a large portion in the morning and a slightly smaller one in the afternoon. Ekkies have such special needs for their diet, its been nearly 4 years and I'm still learning lol.

 

[Ecclipse]

Thanks for this info - this thread is really helping me - your a star!!!! Im trying to get Rosie off seed - oh boy! lol. Will let you know how Rosie takes to the coleslaw combo - going to feed it today

 

[wildheart]

I have to use frozen veggies when we are at Kruger, the nearest shop is more than an hours drive. I only buy the yellow veggies fresh at home, everything else is frozen.

South Africa has got a frozen veggie advert that explains something very interesting. They say that the veggies are picked and immediately frozen to lock in all the goodness and nutrition. Whereas the fresh veggies where picked, packed, traveled, sitting at the market, traveled again, sitting at the shop and then only bought by us. For this reason they say that the frozen ones definitely have much more goodness in them and it does make sense.

The only thing is that you must not boil it because then you loose a lot of the nutrition in the water. Put it in a small dish with pricked cling-wrap over and steam it in the microwave for about 2 minutes, depending on how much you make. When it is done it taste almost better than the fresh deal.

 

[Ecclipse]

Thanks for that tip Linky, what brands do you suggest? I never knew that about frozen veg - makes sense! Will go and buy as soon as Im in town - got enough fresh veg to last me till my next trip to town...

 

[wildheart]

I try and always buy McCain Young and Tender. They harvest and freeze it at their prime. This means that all the vital nutrients are locked in as quickly as possible. There are also no preservatives and naturally cholesterol free. They also have a huge variety to choose from.

My second choice is Harvestime. I've been dissapointed with Checkers’ House Brand quite a few times already and dont even buy it when it is on special.


Jane Badham, dietitian and CEO of the 5-a-Day for Better Health Trust: "Research shows that the nutritional quality of frozen vegetables is the same as, or in some cases even better than, greengrocer or supermarket vegetables. The key to ensuring their nutritional value is careful handling in the supply chain, strict temperature control and correct cooking methods."

The nutrient content of vegetables starts diminishing soon after harvesting. The longer the vegetables remain in the store or home kitchen, and depending on how they are prepared, the less nutritious they become.


In the case of frozen vegetables, only a small amount of nutrients are lost in the short time between harvesting and freezing.


McCain controls the entire production process of its vegetables, and uses mechanical harvesting methods wherever possible to ensure the delay between harvesting and processing is less than eight hours. It also uses individual quick freezing, to ensure the quality of its frozen vegetables.

 

[wildheart]

So if you think about it, from picking to frozen is less than 8 hours, from there it is basically straight on our tables. Fresh veggies goes through weeks (and I am sure a lot of wrong handling) before it reaches our tables.

 

[Ecclipse]

Thanks Linky, will go for the Mcain brand

 

[antoinette]

Ecclipse you have been given great advise from Aussie Ben and wildheart.
I feed Mishka the frozen mixed veggies when time is short. I take a hand full, place in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let it cool down. Mishka loves it.
Otherwise whatever fresh veggies we are eating, she eats as well.
Sweet potato is her favourite, loves her greens as well

 

[Cowtown]

I use frozen veggies... I just put some in warm tap water and let them sit while i prepare the rest of her food. By then they are not cold and hard.. but still kind of crunchy..

I also give her cooked brown rice... my breeder gave me the below list for Abby's Diet.

DAILY MENU
​

1-TABLESPOON FROZEN PEAS
1-TABLESPOON FROZEN CORN
1-TABLESPOON OF ZUPREEM-NATURAL MAINTENANCE DIET (FOR CONURES)
1/2-TABLESPOON COOKED BROWN RICE
1/2-TEASPOON CRUSHED RED PEPPER

CHOP THE FOLLOWING IN A MINI-CHOPPER

1/4 GRANNY SMITH APPLE (PEEL AND CORE)
2 BABY CARROTS
2 INCHES OF BROCCOLI
1 INCH of YELLOW BELL PEPPER


COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS, SHOULD EQUAL ABOUT ONE HALF CUP

I have added 1 teaspoon cooked sweet potato, 1/2 teaspoon uncooked oatmeal, 1 teaspoon regular Cheerios and some green grapes as a snack.


Mike...

 

[antoinette]

I use frozen veggies... I just put some in warm tap water and let them sit while i prepare the rest of her food. By then they are not cold and hard.. but still kind of crunchy..

I also give her cooked brown rice... my breeder gave me the below list for Abby's Diet.

DAILY MENU
​

1-TABLESPOON FROZEN PEAS
1-TABLESPOON FROZEN CORN
1-TABLESPOON OF ZUPREEM-NATURAL MAINTENANCE DIET (FOR CONURES)
1/2-TABLESPOON COOKED BROWN RICE
1/2-TEASPOON CRUSHED RED PEPPER

CHOP THE FOLLOWING IN A MINI-CHOPPER

1/4 GRANNY SMITH APPLE (PEEL AND CORE)
2 BABY CARROTS
2 INCHES OF BROCCOLI
1 INCH of YELLOW BELL PEPPER


COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS, SHOULD EQUAL ABOUT ONE HALF CUP

I have added 1 teaspoon cooked sweet potato, 1/2 teaspoon uncooked oatmeal, 1 teaspoon regular Cheerios and some green grapes as a snack.


Mike...

Wow Mike, besides being a fantastic guardian to Abby, you have mastered it in the kitchen as well. I am impressed

 

[Cowtown]

Thank you Ant.... I am trying to make sure Abby is well taken care of..

You guys have helped me a ton in upping my bird knowledge...

I Thank all of you...

Mike

 

[Ecclipse]

Mike - thanks so so so much for your advice - awesome!!!!! Will let you know how Lil R takes to it - cant wait!!!!

 

[Mel]

Not much more to add to this one. I agree fresh is best but frozen is better than nothing. I often use the frozen berries due to the cost - esp in winter. Just check the ingredients panel to make sure there's nothing added.