Cooked or raw?

[darkling]

I went to the grocery store today and picked up some fresh veggies for Pi. I got her some green bell peppers which I plan to chop up and freeze. I've also got baby carrots and raw green beans.

Do I need to cook or steam any of these or can I just give them to her raw? Right now she's eating a seed mix which she was weaned to but I've ordered Roudybush's pellet and fruit mix so I'm going to work on switching her over to that.

I was told NOT to give her lettuce and I know iceberg isn't any good but what about other types of lettuce? I'm a huge fan of leafy greens but I don't want to offer her anything that will hurt her.

 

[andrea.faerie]

lettuce is in general and empty calorie for any animal. the only reason i feed it to the dragons is if they need moisture... I think the green beans need to be cooked. I think the carrots can be raw Either way, you can cook them lol

I'm going to make the dragons share their leafy bits with Lucy when she comes home this weekend, their main leafy bits are kale, I still have to do a bit more research about other leafy bits (yes, leafy bits, I've even got my mother calling green leafy veggies leafy bits on the regular)

 

[Mondos Parents]

the carrots & bell peppers can be raw

That's what I have heard, also I think Lima Beans must be well done.

 

[MikeyTN]

You can feed all those mentioned raw, you can blanch them if you want to soften it up but your conure's beak is good enough to handle green beans. Yes there are other leafy greens you can feed, if you google it you'll see a big list being mentioned, romaine lettuce, kale, mustard greens, etc.

 

[Adz]

I hear you guys mention "Bell Peppers" a lot. What are they (I'm an Aussie sorry). Are they Capsicum?

 

[Garnet]

Adz, that looks like a bell pepper to me, lol.

I feed all of mine raw veggies. For the smaller birds I chop the veggies up so it is easier for them to eat. But my sun's, pionus and quaker love big chunks of raw veggies to hold on to and eat. Spinach is not a great choice as it contains too much iron for birds, but most other leafy green veggies are great. I tried every vegetable in my local grocery store and produce market at least once. Some my birds refused, others they gobbled up like crazy. I had fun experimenting with their food.

 

[Adz]

Thanks, will have to try them

 

[darkling]

So far she's tried and enjoyed banana, strawberry, plain cheerios, bell pepper, carrot and green bean. The green bean she actually stole off my plate while I was eating dinner last night. hehe

 

[HRH Di]

We give our birdies raw fruits and veggies...they all have strong beaks. I know of some birds who prefer them to be cooked. Honestly, it's easier for us to give them raw veggies...just cut them up and go.

 

[kitt]

Mine love raw veggies....especially peppers....give them a hot pepper and they are in their glory but then you have to watch out when kissing them on the beak...you come away with hot lips and catch a smell of their bad breath. LOL but they sure do love them. LOL