Volkman's?

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 16, 2019

Hi everyone!

My name is Meredith, and I just rescued my first GCC 2 days ago, and was looking for a good cooking diet to supplement what he is currently eating. He is a good eater, thankfully, and is on Zupreem pellets, and so far I've found that he likes cantaloupe. I added half a cut up grape with it and he's tasted it, but I don't think he's eaten any. I also added some cooked oatmeal and barley along with that and he seems to enjoy it mixed in with his cantaloupe.
With Foster and Smith no longer in business, I went searching for a good cooking diet besides just bean cuisine and found Volkmans fancy flow soak and simmer... it looks like it would be good, but was hoping you guys might know more about this brand or have better suggestions?
I appreciate any help and advice!

Tami2 · Sep 16, 2019

Hi Meredith,

I use Goldenfeast, Levi likes this flavor:
https://www.amazon.com/Goldenfeast-...&s=gateway&sprefix=Goldenfeast,aps,124&sr=8-1

I just order a couple of the Volkman's soak & simmer, recommended by a fellow Mod, Anansi.
I'll let you know if Levi likes it.
It usually takes several times offered before he'll even try it.

I tried 'Crazy Corn', recomended by his Vet, but he wasn't crazy about it.

Laurasea · Sep 16, 2019

I've used volkmsns, it takes much longer to cook than they say. My parrots like it ok, they aren't used to yet I've fed three times, they definitely eat, but not as with as much gusto as I had hoped. I need more time to be sure on my opinion.

Welcome to you and Petey!!! Congratulations on a wonderful new fid!

WakaWaka · Sep 16, 2019

Tami2 said:
Hi Meredith,

I use Goldenfeast, Levi likes this flavor:
https://www.amazon.com/Goldenfeast-...&s=gateway&sprefix=Goldenfeast,aps,124&sr=8-1

I just order a couple of the Volkman's soak & simmer, recommended by a fellow Mod, Anansi.
I'll let you know if Levi likes it.
It usually takes several times offered before he'll even try it.

I tried 'Crazy Corn', recomended by his Vet, but he wasn't crazy about it.

Is the Volkman's already cooked and just requires heating?
I remember reading that some beans require boiling to ensure that they are safe. Basically, I'm asking if there are any toxicity concerns if consumed plain.
BTW Arika is also a fan of the Goldenfeast Madagascar Delite. She will eat it cooked or dry.

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 16, 2019

You guys are great! Thank you!! I will see if I can find the golden feast too. I'm so grateful for all your help!

Tami2 · Sep 16, 2019

WakaWaka said:
Tami2 said:

Hi Meredith,

I use Goldenfeast, Levi likes this flavor:
https://www.amazon.com/Goldenfeast-...&s=gateway&sprefix=Goldenfeast,aps,124&sr=8-1

I just order a couple of the Volkman's soak & simmer, recommended by a fellow Mod, Anansi.
I'll let you know if Levi likes it.
It usually takes several times offered before he'll even try it.

I tried 'Crazy Corn', recomended by his Vet, but he wasn't crazy about it.

Click to expand...

Is the Volkman's already cooked and just requires heating?
I remember reading that some beans require boiling to ensure that they are safe. Basically, I'm asking if there are any toxicity concerns if consumed plain.
BTW Arika is also a fan of the Goldenfeast Madagascar Delite. She will eat it cooked or dry.

I believe it needs soaking & cooking, not like the Goldenfeast.
It just came today and I already have some soaking.

I bought these two:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019X9G2QY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002FP40O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll let you know when & if Levi accepts it.
He has taken nicely to the 'Bird Street Bistro' from our Supporting Vendor.

https://www.birdstreetbistro.com

fiddlejen · Sep 17, 2019

ABirdNamedPetey said:
Hi everyone!

My name is Meredith, and I just rescued my first GCC 2 days ago, and was looking for a good cooking diet to supplement what he is currently eating. He is a good eater, thankfully, and is on Zupreem pellets, and so far I've found that he likes cantaloupe. I added half a cut up grape with it and he's tasted it, but I don't think he's eaten any. I also added some cooked oatmeal and barley along with that and he seems to enjoy it mixed in with his cantaloupe.

I know Suns & GCCs are quite different, but just thought I'd mention, my Sun Conure shows significantly greater interest in green veggies than fruits. (My budgies are the same.) If you havent yet, you may want to try offering fresh greens like kale, broccoli, radishes, sweet potato slices, Bell or hot peppers, etc. (I use clippies & toys to locate them around the cage as edible foraging & chewing toys.)

wrench13 · Sep 17, 2019

Not too much fruit, as it loads their systems up with high energy sugars, which , in the wild, is expending flying. Clipped birds can get wired up from fruits and have no where to use all that energy.

Tami2 · Sep 17, 2019

wrench13 said:
Not too much fruit, as it loads their systems up with high energy sugars, which , in the wild, is expending flying. Clipped birds can get wired up from fruits and have no where to use all that energy.

Good point Al. Also, the high glucose can add to bad gut bacteria.

I read the package of Volkman's that I soaked overnight, it definitely needs to be cooked.

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 17, 2019

Thank you all for the help!!! I will be going down to the city this evening to teach a couple classes, and I will stop by Natural Grocers while I'm down there...I prefer organic if I can get them. What Petey doesn't eat, I definitely will! ��
I have some 15 bean soup mix that I soaked last night (just about a tablespoonful of dried beans) that I soaked overnight and have been boiling for the past couple of hours with some oregano and basil. Once those are thoroughly cooked, I will add a few pieces of rotini and some frozen veggies that I have on hand and see how he likes that. I will be ordering a small package of the Goldenfeast as well as the volkmans to try too and hopefully he will like one (or both!) of them.

ETA: This seems to be a HUGE hit with him!! I added some frozen veggies (carrot, zucchini, broccoli, corn, and peas) to the beans added some dried parsley flakes and a couple pieces of rotini, and let it all steep together after the beans had cooked till they were mushy. He dove in and I could barely get the feed cup hung! Lol! Definitely ordering the goldenfeast and probably the volkmans today!

Tami2 · Sep 17, 2019

So, I soaked overnight and simmered for hours.
This is the kind of meal you prepare well enough in advance. I will offer it to him tomorrow. I made the Green bag w/ the Indian Ringneck picture, Feather Glow.

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 17, 2019

So definitely takes some time to prepare.... I'm anxious to see how he likes it! Thank you for the update so far!

Tami2 · Sep 18, 2019

He likes it ...Yay he likes it

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 19, 2019

Awesome!! That looks like it was quite a hit with Levi ❤
Thank you for sharing the experience. I'm hoping it goes over as well here too!

Tami2 · Sep 19, 2019

ABirdNamedPetey said:
Awesome!! That looks like it was quite a hit with Levi ❤
Thank you for sharing the experience. I'm hoping it goes over as well here too!

Yes, I was shocked. He never even explores new foods.
It must be that good! :smile049:

Good Luck & keep us posted.

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 19, 2019

That makes me even more excited to give it a try! When I get in I'll let ya know how it goes!

Tami2 · Sep 19, 2019

ABirdNamedPetey said:
That makes me even more excited to give it a try! When I get in I'll let ya know how it goes!

Okay, sounds good.

I hope Petey likes it as much as Levi does.

WakaWaka · Sep 19, 2019

Tami, thanks for diving in and having Levi try it out and glad he liked it !!
Which one did you fix for him? Looks like the Soak & Simmer.

We decided to try one of their products and ordered the Featherglow Fancy Soak & Simmer. It should be here tomorrow and plan on preparing it over the weekend.

After reading the ingredients on most all of their feed, that appears to be the only one that did not have the peanuts (shelled or un-shelled) and all the extra chemicals like sulfur dioxide in it.

Does anyone know if the long cook and steep in hot water removes / dilutes the sulfur dioxide content? We've been very careful about avoiding anything that has preservatives in it for Arika.

The two Goldenfeast products that we use, Caribbean Bounty and Madagascar Delite do not list added vitamins or preservatives. Any beans / peas are already cooked and then dried.

Perhaps we are being a little overcautious, but we want nothing but the best for Arika. With so many knowledgeable people here, we can't think of a better place to bring up these questions.

Tami2 · Sep 19, 2019

Oh sure, no problem. I had just ordered it and then saw this post.

That is the exact one Levi is eating. 'Featherglow Fancy Soak & Simmer'.

You know, you have to do what you think is best! I read ingredients as well and only give him organic. There is so much crap in our food today. We have to be very careful.

Good luck and let us know if she likes it.

ABirdNamedPetey · Sep 20, 2019

You guys are so awesome!! I ordered mine yesterday, and it should be here today (gotta love that Amazon Prime! Lol)... I was so happy to see Levi dive in to it, am more excited than ever to see if Arika likes it too! I sure hope Petey takes to it like that!

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