Sigh, food help please

[Catalytic]

So I am an idiot, we recently moved 2/3rds of the way across the US (military) and I, idiot that I am, did not go buy extra food for the move. So...we're in a new place and the only way to buy Zupreem locally is in 3lb bags for $20 (NOT HAPPENING)

So...I've order my usual bags, but they won't be here until the end of the week. Years ago, I was in this situation and found a homemade food recipe that held us over, but I can't seem to find it now. (I remember it had beans and rice and ???, I cooked it all and froze it in serving sizes)

Of course she is used to eating pretty much everything we do, but does anyone have a general recipe (healthy please, doesn't have to be organic) that would be good to feed for about a week? I'm headed to the grocery store today, so I can pick up anything I need to make it with, but I'm really having a blond moment here. I found Making Your Own Parrot Food but I definitely remember cooking the beans and grains last time...so any advice would be helpful. Guessing since navy beans are a no-no, I should avoid a bag of 15 bean mix. I haven't unpacked my dehydrator yet, so the dried veggies are a bit problematic, as well. I assume I could just substitute fresh or frozen?

Thanks for any advice

 

[antoinette]

Oh dear.....
You have not mentioned what bird you have
I guess what would be best in your situation, purchase fresh fruit and veggies.

 

[Spiritbird]

You can feed as above and add wallnuts, pine nuts and any other nuts you can get except peanuts. There is also the soft foods like oatmeal and baby foods in the jar mixed with crumbled cornbread. This should keep the bird from hunger and last till end of week.

 

[Devann]

I have a beans and rice recipe that my Alexandrine gets with her pellets (her previous owner got it from their Avian vet) I'm happy to send you a copy if you like?

 

[dishgal1]

You could certainly give her a few seeds to get thru. The poor thing in the wild would go for seeds first if she were starving.

 

[Catalytic]

Oops! I have a Blue and Gold Macaw, she's 12 years old. (We are not out of food yet, we will run out today)

Devann, I would love that recipe!

I figure they don't get commercial pellets in the wild, so I ought to be able to make a complete feed from the grocery store. (I've actually thought about trying to do that all the time, but in the end I'm lazy, and commercial pellets are so much easier and then just provide treats from our meals!)

 

[dishgal1]

Frozen is easy. Mixed vegges frozen. I use carrots peas and corn just put them in hot water when I am in a hurry. Also frozen broccoli mine eat better than fresh. It is just right when it thaws. Mine don't like it cooked or raw.
Baked potatoes are healthy as well. The "Just veggies" dehydrated are great for them. Amazon has a great price on them right now. 2 bags for a little more than one normally costs.

 

[Devann]

/Users/devannreynolds/Desktop/recipe.jpg

hope this helps, we don't use any bouillon or spices or anything. and we don't add crumbled pellets to the mixture, she gets whole ones added just before serving.

 

[Devann]

http://www.parrotforums.com/members/devann-albums-vino-picture4897-recipe.jpg

 

[Catalytic]

Thanks very much, we're cooking it now!

 

[Devann]

You're very welcome, happy to help

 

[brianlinkles]

I just read in this thread that navy beans are a no no. I use the 15 bean mix in a recipe that I make and freeze with brown rice, vegies etc. Should I stop using it because of the navy beans? If so what is the problem with them?

 

[azdesertrhino]

What part of the country have you relocated to? Might be someone in the area that would be willing to assist.

Best of luck in your new home.

 

[gretta]

I could not read the recipe, are there other methods of viewing it? I too have B&G's. I offer fresh fruits and veggies but they always end up in the floor...one day they will finally accept them. They came to me eating seed mixes and peanuts... there has to be more...

 

[MacawGuy]

sorry to here that ur out of food,

 

[Catalytic]

I just read in this thread that navy beans are a no no. I use the 15 bean mix in a recipe that I make and freeze with brown rice, vegies etc. Should I stop using it because of the navy beans? If so what is the problem with them?

Hi, I read on one site that Navy beans were bad, but every other site I've read about cooking your own food says they are fine. I am almost positive when I had to make her a batch of food several years ago that I used the 15 bean soup then, and it is also what I used now.

Making Your Own Parrot Food is the site I found this on: "Some foods are toxic to parrots and must avoided when you make your own parrot food. These include alcohol, avocados, caffeine, chocolate, fava beans, navy beans, rhubarb, and sprouted lima beans. Commercially grown strawberries should also be avoided due to pesticides."

At least 10 other sites I read, though, said they use navy beans for parrots...so I used the 15 bean soup!

 

[Catalytic]

What part of the country have you relocated to? Might be someone in the area that would be willing to assist.

Best of luck in your new home.

We just moved to El Paso, Texas. I can get her food locally...in 3 pound bags, ugh. I have a big bag on the way, and she's doing fine on the beans/rice/fruits/nuts in the meantime. (I wouldn't have starved her, if I couldn't find a recipe I was happy with, I would have paid the $20 for 3 pounds )

I could not read the recipe, are there other methods of viewing it? I too have B&G's. I offer fresh fruits and veggies but they always end up in the floor...one day they will finally accept them. They came to me eating seed mixes and peanuts... there has to be more...

I'll transcribe it. Devann, if you would prefer it not be typed out here, let me know and I'll edit it out.

Courtesy of The Links Road Animal Hospital

Soft Food Diet Recipe
"People" food could be a nutritious addition to many bird diets. It should be given daily to supplement the pelleted foods and fruits and vegetables. A good method of giving "people" food would be in the form of a soft food diet. This is a diet that can be made at home using the following recipe.

Ingredients in equal proportions:
1. Pellets - crumble or mash
2. Beans - legumes or lentils such as kidney, navy, pinto, lima, soya, green peas, chic peas, etc. A mixture of 4-5 types is best. Vary the types from time to time. Dried work best, but canned can also be used.
3. Rice - Brown is nutritionally superior to white
4. Corn - fresh, frozen, or canned

Large batches can be prepared and separated and frozen into daily portions. This will save time and could last you 3-4 weeks.

1. Wash the dried beans and other legumes a couple of times in fresh water. If canned beans are used, rinse well to remove salt before adding other ingredients.
2. Place a measured amount in a large kettle and cover with water. Let soak overnight.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, rover with a lid and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
4. Add rice and simmer for a further 30 minutes. Make sure you have enough water.
5. This mixture can be made more palatable for those birds with a fussy palate by adding some beef or chicken bouillon, a little honey, oregano, or garlic flakes.
6. Remove from heat and drain off excess water.
7. Add corn and mix.
8. Add dry pellets, crumble or mash and mix well. This dry portion will soak up the remaining moisture. DO NOT MAKE IT TOO WET. MOST BIRDS PREFER IT MOIST NOT SLOPPY.
9. Separate into daily portions according to the size of your bird. (1/8 to _ cup per bird) Place portions into freezer bags or containers and freeze.
10. To serve, thaw out overnight or in the microwave. Gently warm the portion. If vitamin and mineral supplementation is used, it could be added to portion at this time. Mix well and serve to bird. Soft food contains more moisture than dry food, so the bird will drink less water when offered the food.

Gretta, offer your birds whatever you're eating. (Within reason, of course, do know what they shouldn't have) Nugget came to us on pellets only, and we started her out with lasagna on a spoon. Lasagna is STILL her favorite, but it took a month or two to get her to start trying things. NOW...we get our eardrums rattled if she doesn't get some of dinner

 

[gretta]

Thanks so much! I love my big babies. I feel like they have no idea what varieties are out there, so I just keep trying new things in hopes they will accept them. I don't have a lot of experience with Macaws, but I know time and effort is the key. Anyone have any suggestions on how to help my loves choose the healthier diet?