Diet

I was looking up some stuff about how to make chop today and ended up having a couple of questions.

Right now Ducati just gets a seed mix. It was the bag that was given to me when I got him by his previous owner. I've been trying to get him to eat more fresh fruits and veggies but he's a very picky eater. He loves apples so I was planning on saving those for training. He did try a blackberry, but kept shaking his head (guess he didn't like those lol).

First everything I read said to just basically have fun with it, but don't give them too much of this or that. So I was wondering what exactly not to give him and where to find the best ingredients for it. Right now I buy our produce at Walmart, but I obviously I want the best for him.

Next, since I'm at work I don't want anything that will spoil by being left out until I come home. So I was thinking about doing one with more dry ingredients for breakfast and the fresh wet ingredients for dinner. Suggestions for both of these would be well appreciated.

My guys get seed pellets and dehydrated veggies and fruits during the day. I give them chop as soon as I get home in the afternoon

Thanks! Is there a particular brand you use?

Seeds as the main part of a diet aren't that healthy as they are high in fats , I use them as training treats. I use Zupreem fruit blend , it actually was made from real fruit ( checked the ingredients ) . I also feed them fruits and veggies . Conures need that and nuts, that's why they are equipped with big, strong beaks . I had the same problem as you , my 2 budgies were REALLY picky eaters. Take out their food for 30 min to an hour AT MOST. Then I minced cantaloupe and put it in my hand and waited. At first for a min they just looked at it , then they went over to investigate and slowly started chewing , it felt like I won gold at the olympics LOL. But fruit and veggies are really really important in their diet , which is why I bought the fruit blend to make sure that they get their total portion of it. Try to order everything online , i buy my supplies from mysafebirdstore.com , they sell bags of bird nuts and have a rainbow of pellets and brands . Zupreem is fed by zoos to their parrots and come in different pellet sizes for different species so I usually stick with that brand , Harrison's is good too !

Awesome! Thanks for all the info! I'll definitely be checking that site out for his breakfast meal and use the fresh stuff for dinner.

I recently bought a small food processor and couldn't be happier! I make chops that have over 15 healthy ingredients and the birds love it. I like to feed it in the morning as they're hungriest then and most likely to consume more. I also buy veggies and fruits biweekly and chop those up and add it to their chop in the morning, as the chop with the food processor is very fine and my hand-chop not so much. It allows me to give my birds the healthy food they need with variety.

I also sprout seeds and beans, and make two bags - one that is a one day sprout and one that is a two day sprout. Each has a minimum of 4 different types of seeds/beans. I also add those in the morning when I've sprouted them. Then, when I get home and it's my supper time, I give the birds a banana chip and their pellets.

My birds eat quite heartily, and I can tell by how I weigh their bowls and by how much is on the ground. For example, this morning Avery's bowl weighed 124g and Shiko's weighed 118 (Avery's bowl is larger due to difference in cages). When I weighed them after they ate, Avery's weighed 105g and Shiko's weighed 84g. Avery is a GCC and Shiko is an IRN, and Avery weighs 70g while Shiko weighs 126g. They eat a huge portion of healthy food to their body weight, so it makes me very happy. And they also eat their pellets quite well - they get 2 tsp of pellets at supper time and generally finish at least 1 tsp by bed time.

Mashes and chops are super easy to create and to spice up, and are great because you can make months at a time. You can serve them cold or warm. There's so many options and varieties to give birds the food they need, you just need to try a few things and see what works for your baby

Hi guys!

I definitely want to try chop as so many of you seem to have done it and goes down well!

Is the chop fed along side pellets as a supplement or kind of as a main?

I currently feed pellets with fruits/veggies/sprouts for foraging (and seeds/nuts for treats). But Rosie seems to preferentially eat her favorite bits (fruits) and less of the veg and pellets. I wonder if I am giving too much food in total or too much variety? she's only a little rose crowned conure and i do put a lot of food in her cage for the day!

I'm considering making chop as she might eat more of everything, or the baked chop made into dry "biscuits" like Percy's mom does, but just not really sure what would make the majority of the diet!!!

You guys are all so helpful and any tips would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Jess and Rosie

As far as what not to feed him: What NOT to feed your Parrot.

Currently (in addition to fresh fruit and veggies) I am finishing up a bag of Volkman Avian Science parrot seedmix along with Zupreem fruit pellets. Volkman is a great brand because they use all natural ingredients. I am not so crazy about Zupreem anymore because I believe there are healthier pellet brands out there such as Harrisons, TOPS, etc.

Something you may want to look in to is Goldenfeast. I just orded Hotrod some a couple days ago when I discovered it. There are so many amazing choices; they have a huge variety of mixes (some you even can cook..you just add hot water) containing all natural ingredients. They have pellets too! I highly recommend you go on their site and check out what they have. Hotrod hasn't got to try it yet because I haven't gotten my order in yet, but I think he will love it and if so I will continually keep ordering that brand. I got Hotrod the Asian Medley, Caribbean South, Conure Gourmet Blend, and Goldn' Obles (pellets). Variety is key for a healthy diet! I saw a promo code in a Bird Channel magazine for 15 percent off your first order, so if you end up getting some Goldenfeast and need the promo, just let me know.

Here are the ingredients to the things I ordered.

Conure Gourmet Blend

More than 40 ingredients specially blended for conures and other small to medium sized parrots.
Ingredients: Hulled Oats, Safflower Seed, Canary Grass Seed, Whole Cantaloupe Seed, Buckwheat, White Proso Millet, Granola Made With Rolled Oats, Whole Wheat, Brown Sugar, Canola Oil, Natural Coconut, Sweet Dairy Whey, Oat Flour, Roasted Almonds & Honey. Roasted Corn, Shelled Raw Pistachios, Roasted Cashews, Non-roasted Sunflower Kernels, Roasted Almonds, Red And Green Sweet Peppers, Pepitas, Cooked & Dehydrated Chic Peas, Sweet Potatoes And Cooked Assorted Beans, Beets, Cranberries, Whole Star Anise Seed, Papaya & Pineapple, Sterile Hemp Seed, Carrots & Blueberries, Soy Nuts, Whole Bee Pollen, Tomatoes, Freeze Dried Sweet Garden Peas And Natural Flavorings. No Artificial Dyes Or Synthetic Vitamins. Does Not Contain Peanuts.
Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein (min.) 12%; crude fat (min.) 7%; crude fiber (max.) 8%; moisture (max.) 5%; ash (max.) 6%
Refrigerate after opening to retain freshness.




Asian Medley


A Complete Nutrition Formula with no artificial colors or flavors and no synthetic vitamins. For all medium to large exotic birds. More than 40 ingredients. Beans and potatoes are cooked and dehydrated for better nutritional absorption. Vegetables and fruits are dehydrated unless noted otherwise. Does not contain peanuts. Best served cooked. Each package is date coded for guaranteed freshness.
Ingredients: Instant Brown Rice, whole Wheat, roasted Corn, roasted Almonds and Cashews, Papaya, Tomato Pasta, Spinach Pasta, sun dried Tomatoes, Pineapple, Banana Chips, Apples, Carrots, Sesame Seed, Mango, sweetened Cranberries, Apricots, Green Cabbage, low heat Chili Peppers, whole Cinnamon Sticks, freeze dried Sweet Garden Peas, Sweet Potatoes, White Potatoes, whole Star Anise Seed, cooked and dehydrated assorted Beans, Peas, roasted Chic Peas, Sweet Peppers, Beets, shelled Walnuts, Spinach, freeze dried Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Hibiscus Flowers, Paprika, Basil, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei, fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus fermentum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, and dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product.
Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein (min.) 13.75%; crude fat (min.) 7.5%; crude fiber (max.) 9%; moisture (max.) 5%; ash (max.) 7%
Directions for gourmet Quick Cook:

1. Remove flavor fresh packet from container, add 1 1/2 cups of blend to 3 cups boiling water.
2. Stir, remove from heat and cover. Let stand until cool.
3. Stir again and feed. Refrigerate left over amount for up to 3 days.

Can be cooked ahead of time and frozen to be served at a later date. Refrigerate after opening to retain freshness.




Caribbean South


A complete nutrition formula with no artificial colors or flavors and no synthetic vitamins. For all medium to large parrots. Made with 50 delectable ingredients. Beans are cooked and dehydrated for better nutritional absorption. Fruits and vegetables are dehydrated unless otherwise noted. Potatoes are cooked and dehydrated. May be served natural or cooked. Does not contain peanuts.
Ingredients: Roasted Shelled Almonds, Roasted Cashews, Roasted Rolled Corn, Carrots, Papaya, Cherries, Pumpkin Seed, Roasted Soybeans, Red And Green Sweet Peppers, Cranberries, Sweetened Banana Chips, Blueberries, Pine Nuts In Shell, Tomato Pasta, Cooked & Dehydrated Assorted Beans, Freeze Dried Sweet Garden Peas, Sweetened Diced Papaya, Mango And Pineapple. Granola Made With Rolled Oats, Whole Wheat, Brown Sugar, Canola Oil, Natural Coconut, Sweet Dairy Whey, Oat Flour, Roasted Almonds And Honey. Whole Dates, Peaches, Celery, Pepitas, Golden And Red Grapes, Crispy Apples, Shelled Pistachios, Freeze Dried Sweet Corn, Hulled Oats, Whole Wheat, Shelled Raw Filberts And Brazil Nuts, Tomatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Beets, Shelled Walnuts, Whole Cinnamon, Spinach Pasta, Cherries, Bee Pollen, Basil, Cilantro & Freeze Dried Chives, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Fermentum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, And Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein (min.) 11.25%; crude fat (min.) 9%; crude fiber (max.) 7%; moisture (max.) 4%; ash (max) 7%
Directions for Quick Cook:

1. Remove flavor fresh packet from container, add 1 3/4 cups of blend to 2 cups boiling water.
2. Stir, remove from heat and cover. Let stand until cool.
3. Stir again and feed. Refrigerate left over amount for up to 3 days.

Can be cooked ahead of time and frozen to be served at a later date. Refrigerate after opening to retain freshness.




Goldn'Obles (aka pellets)




A Complete Nutrition Formula with over 50 wholesome ingredients. No artificial colors or flavors and no synthetic vitamins. Great for all exotic birds. Peanut and corn free. No GMO. Feed naturally as a complete food or blend with one of the many other Goldenfeast formulas. Mix with cashew, almond butter or organic peanut butter for a highly nutritious food for baby exotics. Each package is date coded for guaranteed freshness.
Goldn’obles II is made by processing the following select ingredients: Quinoa, organic roasted Soy Beans, par boiled brown Rice and organic long grain brown Rice, raw Almonds, dehydrated and freeze dried vegetables composed of Carrots, sweet garden Peas, Parsley, Green Beans, Spinach, Red Garden Beets and Cabbage. Cranberries, shelled Walnuts, natural organic Agavi sweetener, organic Barley, organic Alfafa, freeze dried Banana powder, organic hulled proso Millet and white proso Millet, organic Flax seed, organic Spelt, organic Rye, Sesame seed, domestic grown Apples, dehydrated Honey, organic Chia seed, organic Kamut, organic Tricale, organic Amaranth, stabilized hulled Oats, Sunflower Kernels, organic Spinach, Fenugreek, freeze dried Raspberries, Hemp seed, organic Timothy, Ginger, Star Anise seed, Cinnamon, Fennel seed, dehydrated whole Eggs, Bee Pollen, Wheatberries, organic Echinacea powder, Cilantro, organic Red Clover Leaf powder and organic Spinach, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus fermentum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product and dried Bifidobacterium.
Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein (min.) 17.5%; crude fat (min.) 9%; crude fiber (max.) 6%; moisture (max.) 3.5%; ash (max.) 3%
Refrigerate after opening to retain freshness.

JessieRosie said:

Hi guys!

I definitely want to try chop as so many of you seem to have done it and goes down well!

Is the chop fed along side pellets as a supplement or kind of as a main?

Click to expand...

Hey Jess!

Everything I've seen is the chop is a main dish and you can put supplements on that. More experienced people on here will better be able to confirm or deny that.

I was wanting to do more the the dried fruit and veggie/pellet mix in the morning since I'm gone all day and I worry about the chop spoiling and Ducati still munching on it before I can change it out. Another way to do that would be to take his bowl out before I leave for work, but he doesn't eat much then since he wants to say good morning to everybody (even if they're still sleeping lol).

Thanks for all the suggestions on different mixes and brands. As far as I know he was on a seed mix diet for at least a year and I really want to get him off of that.

For the morning dry ingredients thing , I don't know why I didn't mention this before but you can give birdie bread . It's bread specifically designed for birds , they also have dryed fruit , nuts and other healthy stuff in them . Mysafebirdstore has a lot of different type of bread mixes .You can bake a large loaf of it the night before and serve it in the morning . I don't know if it goes stale though

You want to add more veggies then fruits, just an FYI. I don't give my guys fresh or frozen chop in the morning because I'm gone from 6 am to 430 pm. I haven't done this yet, but I plan on investing in a dehydrator. That way they can have their "fresh" stuff during the day without me worrying about it spoiling.

Thanks Ducati mom!

I will definitely give this a go

I've never had to worry about the chop spoiling from giving it in the morning, but I also and a drop of GSE to it and mix it around. I do the same with my sprouts, otherwise I'm terrified of bacteria.

I feed Indy a veggie/hemp seed/fruit/nut/bean mixture I get from our bird store a few times a day and I also leave a dry mix all day called "unpellet" from this website:

Healthy and Nutritious Parrot Feed | Phoenix Foraging Rolls LLC

It's got a lot of good things in there, the ingredients list is on the website

I checked out the mysafebirdstore.com today at work. That site is going to cause me to go broke! lol. Amazing stuff just for the toys and different perches. Obviously our pet store has very minimal supply of that stuff. I ordered him a shower perch, an Easy Sprout, and the Bountiful Harvest Blend. It looked like it had a majority of veggies, with fruits, nuts, herbs, and pellets. Honestly I wanted to buy him all the food they had :32:.

I have a mini food processor so that'll work for chopping up all his fruits and veggies for chop dinner. Might have to be one think at a time but it will definitely still be quicker than hand chopping everything.

Thanks for all the help guys! I love how helpful everybody is on here. A great community to be a part of.