Feeding canned mixed veggies ok?

[Carlagracie]

We went to our local grocery store tonight to get Molly some food. This store didnt have much fresh veggies so we bought a can of Del Monte Mixed Vegetables. Also bought fresh grapes with seeds, apples, 2 sweet potatoes and a bag of 15 bean soup mix which we are soaking in water now. Also bought some noodles to cook as well. We will go tomorrow and get some kale or some kind of leafy greens tomorrow. We did buy some Roudybush pellets which she seems to love so far.

For my questions...
Are canned veggies ok? I think I know the answer to this already...
What are some good fresh veggies to feed?
Leafy greens what are best?

 

[JerseyWendy]

No, unfortunately canned veggies are literally swimming in sodium (salt), and they should not be fed to a bird.

If this is all you have, you can drain them, rinse them several times and let them sit in bottled water overnight, but even then they are still a bit salty.

Most nutritional value, unfortunately gets lost in canned veggies.

As for fresh, leafy greens: Kale, spinach, collard greens, dandelions, just to name a few.

 

[Carlagracie]

Yea I kinda figured about the canned veggies I dont know what I was thinking. We wont even offer them to her tonight.

Off topic Molly loves my wifes mouth. She seems to like to but her entire beak in my wifes mouth and pick at her teeth and gums but not mine. Is this normal?

 

[kc_y0]

Hi Carlagracie. Its normal for birds to be interested in our mouths, but in saying that we shouldn't let them. Our saliva can be very dangerous for them and contains bacteria that is harmful to them.

 

[mtdoramike]

I feed Mac dried beans that have been cooked just enough to make them tender enough for them to eat. I also feed him collard greens, turnip greens and Kale, but he won't eat it fresh, but once it's cooked, he will dive into the bowl and come up with a mouth full of greens.

 

[MonicaMc]

Yes, canned veggies are "ok" - but not ideal. If you use them, rinse them before feeding. Most canned veggies have a lot of salt and preservatives in them which makes them less than healthy. You are better off using frozen mixed veggies if you can't get fresh vegetables.

The following thread that I made may help with ideas on safe foods to feed.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

And I've also liked these two websites for eclectus
Land of Vos Eclectus - Main Page
Articles Eclectus Parrots - Eclectusville! Susie Christian Eclectus Parrot Breeder Rose Breasted Cockatoos, Solomon Islands, and Red Sided Available Now!


There are concerns about non-organic/imported produce, so be sure to wash whatever produce you do buy quite well!
Executive Summary: Eat your fruits and vegetables! | EWG's 2012 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce



Also, word of caution, the 15 bean soup mixes aren't considered 'healthy'. The cheaper beans contain a toxin that, if not fully cooked out, can be deadly to our birds (humans, too!) The 15 bean soup mixes typically contain kidney beans, which has the highest amount of toxin. These beans must be fully cooked for human consumption. If you look at the list of foods I provided, it has a list of healthy beans that can be fed cooked or sprouted, so far less worry about toxicity.
Phytohaemagglutinin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



A lot to learn, but I'm sure you'll do fine! After all, you are already trying to provide a varied diet, and that's great!


And yes, best not to allow access to our mouths! As kc_y0 mentioned, our saliva can be deadly! In the least, it can give them bacterial infections.

 

[Thingamagigs]

frozen vegies are far better if you cant get fresh... dont even consider canned

 

[Carlagracie]

Update 1.. We cooked some noodles and a sweet potato and Molly loves them both.

Update 2... My wife is not letting molly in her mouth so molly goes up to my wifes mouth makes kissing noises and then says I love you! Just this second for the first time clear as day Molly said "I love you Mama" My wife is eating this up!!!

 

[Chikoo]

No canned veggies. Chard is another great leafy green for eclectus parrots. Don't forget fruits! I personally would stay away from wheat pasta. Quinoa pasta or brown rice pasta is much more nutritious for birds (and humans!).

 

[kc_y0]

That is adorable!!!

 

[antoinette]

As members mentioned canned veggies are not healthy for a bird, way to much salt etc.
If I am unable to purchase fessh veggies I purchase the frozen ones, Mishka loves them.

 

[LolaLowlie]

Yep as others have mentioned frozen are best if fresh cannot be found. Also when buying frozen look at the ingredients on the back of the bag, and it should only list the vegetable in the bag like for example: bag of frozen peas should simply say peas as an ingredient not (peas, salt. Hope that helps a little bit!

Also I will just tell you a routine that really helped Howie adjust to fresh foods.

I bought a microwaveable sweet potato put it in the microwave for 6 mins then took it out and the skin peels right off at that point. I then mashed it up into a Tupperware container because, I'm not using the entire thing for one meal. Use about 1/4 cup of the sweet potato for one meal store the rest in the fridge for next meal. Then I put a little less then a handful of frozen peas, broccoli, corn, in microwave safe bowl with the 1/4 cup of sweet potato add a dab of water to the bowl not much because frozen veg will help add water. Microwave 1 min while that's heating up chop one side of small apple smaller then diced size because you don't want them tossing it out of the bowl. Then take the veggie mix out of the microwave mix up until all combined, the extra water should help with the mixing, then add the apples, and I even add some cinnamon it smells great and Howie loves it! Mix everything together and test temperature with your hand. You can add so many things to this mix its endless. Those veggies are just to get you, and your bird started. The sweet potato really helps the birds along and it's their dose of beta carotene. It sounds like a lot of work but it literally takes me ten minutes to make and serve. Happy Feeding!!!

Here are some pictures of what it can look like! Howie just loves it

 

[Jollyjess80]

Molly sounds adorable!! Just one tip of advice that I learned in the beginning of finding good natural food for my ekkie...seed sprouts! It's sooooo easy to do and the most healthiest thing you can give your parrot, look up on google on how to make your own seed sprouter, it's so easy! and just go buy some seeds from a local organic store, they sprout in almost 24 hrs, when they just start sprouting is when they have the most vitamins but you can sprout them longer for different nutrients. Also google what kind of seeds you can sprout, there is a ton! An Eclectus cannot live on a full pellet diet so kudos to you for reaching out and being concerned about mollys diet

 

[Jollyjess80]

Anything that involves a microwave or frozen food I would just stay clear from, just get fresh veggies and fruit and cut them up yourself...it took me a while to get in the routine but it takes me about 5-10 mins to make my parrots food in the morning and evening...if ya want her to live long and healthy stay as natural as possible!