ParrotComforts

Introducing Enrichment with Flowers

2011-10-10T12:25:00.000+01:00

After putting up a list of edible flowers on Parrot Social forum (a new forum devoted to all species of parrots) I've decided to add some to Digby's dinner plate. I knew he wouldn't be too interested in eating them, but the colours were sure to brighten up his day a bit.

So here is his dinner plate yesterday: nasturtium flowers, calendula flower, nasturtium leaf, mint sprig, raspberries, blackberries, rose hip, yellow crab apple, cosmos flower three types of roses and a rose bud.

I first presented the plate to him with just those goodies so that he could explore, which he readily did.

He then ate the raspberries, blackberry and the crab apple

And afterwards his dinner was served on the same plate.

Today he has found that big red rose on the sofa and happily shredded it, eating the base of the rose, where the rosehip would form from later on.

The experiment was a success so I will be bringing in more flowers to Digby's plate regularly from now on.

Phytobalm By Hilton Herbs

2011-02-16T12:58:00.002Z

I always rave about Hilton Herbs brand and there is a chance that people are bored of it already. But I absolutely love their stuff. One of my most favourite products is Phytobalm

Phytobalm is a soothing cream made up of entirely natural ingredients, which include: Shea Butter, Calendula oil and plant extract, Myrrh - (Commiphora molmol) essential oil, Propolis, Hypericum (St John’s Wort) oil and tincture.

It looks like a beige cream, not too greasy and is absorbed quite quickly. It has a nice natural smell of the ingredients used in it.

Right now I am just finishing a small pot of it I was sent when I won a HiltonHerbs quiz (that was fun and I was really pleased to get the goodies). It's well worth subscribing to their newsletter as they sent these fun quizzes, plenty of useful information on natural healing with herbs and tinctures and an occasional discount code.

Phytobalm contains only natural preservatives and natural ingredients, hence even if an animal consumes a bit of it (licks the surface where it was put on for example) it won't harm him.

I use it for pretty much any skin problem round here. I used it on my rabbit's feet, on my Digby's feet when he gets little cracks on them, (a legacy his previous owners left me) and on my own skin too. It is amazing at soothing any inflammation, reducing the swelling and helping the healing process. It solved a few of my own problems painlessly and super quickly too.

The ingredients in it are carefully selected for their healing and anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Shea butter is the best hydrating natural ingredient I've tried. I have very dry eczema prone skin and have tried lots of things, shea butter is by far the best hypo allergenic moisturiser.

Calendula, propolis and st john's wort are great at preventing inflammation, fighting bacteria, fungus and helping skin heal.

It is a very broad spectrum cream which can be used on any animals from little rats to large horses for any skin related problems, from the simplest to the more difficult long-healing ones.

It would suit perfectly any parrot with skin problems, self-mutilation problems or with any hard to heal wound.

It can be purchased here http://hiltonherbs.co.uk

Our Favourite Toys

2011-02-15T19:22:00.000Z

There are a few toys which I just keep on buying because the birds never lose interest in them and they are suitable for both Digby and the budgies.

Party Balls by Foragewise

You can get them either individually or in a bunch of three. They come in two sizes - small and large. Both are suitable for a parrot, but the small ones would get destroyed in seconds, and the large ones might be too scary for the small birds like budgies but ideal for parrots.

They are brilliant because they are inexpensive (I buy bunches of three and then split them and give one bal at a time), they can be used as a foraging toy (there is already shredded paper inside but you can add some of your own fillings too) and so great for shredding.

Party Bags by Foragewise

These are very similar to the party balls - just paper bags with tissue paper on which makes them irresistible for Digby and great for stuffing with all sorts of goodies. Very inexpensive but very short-lived.

Bird Kabob Parrot Chips Pack of 20

These yucca chips are super shreddable and super fun. Budgies spend hours destroying the pieces and Digby loves them too. I either put them on a stainless steel skewer or stuff into foraging toys. Or they can be used as a foot toy. Very versatile stuff.

Birdie Bagels

These are a favourite of many birds. They are made of parrot safe cardboard and are non-toxic. Again, super versatile toy. I chain them together, put them between the cage bars for the budgies to use as sitting platforms/perches, cut them n half and stuff into foraging toys. They come in a variety of sizes so there is something or any size parrot.

That is just some of the many shreddable, disposable toys I always have a small supply of. Will post about more permanent "fixtures" later on, like foraging wheel, stainless steel foraging cages, etc. More toys to come.

In Season: Kale

2011-02-15T13:41:00.002Z

Winter is a quiet season for fresh produce, but you can still find this lovely leafy green at the farmers' markets - Kale, or its varieties, like Cavolo Nero.
Kale is quite tough when raw so you would normally cook it for yourself but birds, rabbits and other greens eating animals are pretty happy with it raw. The best way to cook Kale and to preserve all its goodness is to steam it for about 5 minutes.

I always make an effort to add it to my Chop and Dudley loves chewing it up as it is, so do the budgies and even Digby doesn't mind a little nibble on the central juicy stalk.

Kale contains plenty of fibre, which keeps the digestive tract happy and healthy, helps to eliminate the toxins and excess cholesterol. Kale contains the compounds, called glucosinolates, which provide extra help in detoxification of the body and even helps to prevent certain types of cancer (a magical vegetable we are dealing with here). It is also rich in flavonoids which help with a lot of health related issues - they are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Kale contains vitamins A, C and K in abundance. Plus it is a good source of such minerals as manganese, calcium, potassium, and magnesium (vital for a relaxed happy mood. Magnesium is considered a nature's anti-depressant). It even contains a small amount of essential fatty acids, for healthy skin, heart and brain.

There is one drawback when it comes to Kale. It is quite high in oxalates, the compounds which can bind calcium forming crystals. Normally they would be excreted from the body via kidneys but sometimes they can accumulate and create kidney stones. So if your parrot (or you) suffer from kidney related disease then it's best to avoid using Kale. Otherwise it is good to remember that everything is good in moderation if you or your parrot are healthy.

Milk Thistle Detox

2011-02-14T15:16:00.001Z

Right now we are having a little detox in our family. It includes taking milk thistle daily. Those detoxing are the budgies and Digby, and I might join in soon too.
For detox I use Milk Thistle tincture, but it has to be glycerine based and not alcohol based. I get mine from HERE

Milk Thistle is quite a safe herb. It can cause allergic reactions in people with allergies to the flowers of the daisy family but that is about the only warning on it, if used correctly.

Milk Thistle has long been known for its liver healing properties. Silymarin, the active compound of milk thistle, protects liver cells from toxic compounds, thus allowing it to restore itself in the meantime. Milk thistle is also used in treatment of diabetes as it helps to control insulin levels. It's been shown to possess anti-cancer properties too. So all in all it is a great herb for humans and animals alike, with no side effects.

When using remedies meant for humans we usually establish the dose for the animals by extrapolating it from the human dosage. It's suggested to use 3ml per day for humans. Considering an average parrot is about 100 times smaller than an average human the dose for a 500g parrot would be 0.03ml. 1ml is about 25 drops. So if you were to give the tincture directly in the beak you would need to give about 0.7 drops, which is practically impossible. So a reasonable thing to do is to add about 3-4 drops per 200ml bowl of water. For smaller birds, like budgies, who are prone to liver disease, milk thistle will be great too. Mine get 1 drop in a 50ml of water

It's obvious the parrot won't drink the whole bowl of water in a day so no way will overdose and should get just about the right amount to give his liver a little helping hand.

I give milk thistle for 6 days and then give them one day rest. The course will continue for about a month or two.

The liver is a vital organ and the one which often suffers in parrots because they have to deal with a huge amount of toxins on a daily basis which come from their food (in a form of residual fertilisers and pesticides), toys and their paints, etc. Inappropriate diet causes a lot of liver problems too. So supporting liver through this natural and safe therapy sounds like a good idea.

Matzo Crackers

2011-02-13T18:39:00.001Z

If you are one of those people who finds it hard to resist giving a parrot whatever you are eating and you like your crackers or biscuits, Matzo crackers could be something worth considering for you. They are crackers which are basically made of just flour and water. No salt added, no sugar, yeast, or in fact any other additives. They are pure as pure can get when it comes to crackers.

They are still only good as a rare treat, because they have zero nutrition really, but at least in small quantities they won't harm, like all the salt in regular crackers could.

To make things more fun you can make a cracker sandwich (again, it shouldn't be more than a rare treat).

You will need:
1 Matzo cracker
a tiny blob of unsalted nut butter
a thin slice of cheese (something like edam or emmental is better than cheddar) of the size of 5p coin
a thin slice of apple of the same size as cheese

Break your cracker in two small squares. Spread a bit of nut butter on both of them. Top one with cheese and apple then cover with the other piece of cracker.

Microwave the concoction for 3-5 seconds (it is a tiny piece of cracker, that is why the time is so short). It will melt the cheese and the whole sandwich will easily stick together. You can squeeze it tighter when it is out of the microwave. Cool down. Now it won't fall apart when your parrot is eating it. Serve.

Veggie Wrap

2011-02-07T08:48:00.001Z

For this simple recipe you will need (per one or two parrots)

About 1/4 of a wholemeal tortilla wrap
1 cherry tomato
a few slices of a red bell pepper
a teaspoon of corn
a small amount of chopped parsley or coriander (I used lamb lettuce as this was the only thing I had on hand, but the herbs would work better)
an absolutely tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, chilli pepper or paprika
a drop of olive oil

Chop up the pepper, tomatoe and herbs.

Put a drop of oil on the frying pan (it really just needs a tiny bit since the amount of the ingredients is so small). Put your peppers, tomatoe, corn and herbs, sprinkle with the spices and stir for about a minute on medium heat.

Empty the mix on your tortilla wrap (I cut a small-ish square out of it as it is easier to roll it up like that).

Roll the whole thing up and it is ready to be served.

To wrap it up I moved the filling to the right, folded the sides in over the topping and then rolled the whole thing up.

Applied Behaviour Analysis Course

2011-02-06T11:46:00.000Z

A few weeks ago I have started the course I'd been been on the waiting list for for over a year. The course was founded by Dr Susan Friedman. The course I am taking is aimed at parrot owners/caregivers. It is free, but you are asked to donate a minimum of $50 to a chosen parrot charity. What charity is it you get notified a few weeks before the course starts. It is a very popular course, firstly because it is a great source of information, inspiration and a brilliant way to establish better relationships with those around you and not just parrots, but also I suppose, because it is pretty much free.

This is one behaviour I might need to think of modifying - curtain climbing

The course itself is conducted via a closed yahoo group, with weekly lectures posted to the board. After reading the lecture you submit your homework and then work on it with your Teacher Assistant. I have to say it is such an uplifting experience - it truly is based on positive reinforcement. You have the whole week to submit your homework and it only takes a few hours, so it is not too time consuming.
The main idea of the course as it appears to me is that we should forget about changing our birds if something is not going right, all we need to do is to change the environment. Every action is predetermined by the antecedent and is reinforced by the consequence. By changing the antecedents and the consequences we can modify the behaviour, painlessly to the animal. This is just a simplified idea, to learn more, a lot more, you will just have to take the course.

To subscribe to the course all you need to do is to drop an email to Dr Susan Friedman and you will be put on the waiting list. It's not short, and is well worth waiting for. You will be notified about the start of your course a couple of weeks prior to it, and if by that time you decide you no longer need to take it you can just let the curator know. You don't have to pay the donation either, it is a voluntarily donation, but the chances are - you will want to do it yourself.

Here you can find the overview of the course and how to subscribe Behaviorworks Website

Even if you are not up for taking this course it's well worth checking the Behavior Works website out for very interesting articles and plenty of information on parrot care.

Digby's Playgym

2011-02-04T21:18:00.000Z

Digby's playgym is of a home made variety. I very much like it because it is so easy to change and customise. The original idea belongs to Nikki from the african grey parrot forum. She has a magnificent gym for her two greys, mine is a lot smaller but then Digby is very small.
The main idea is that you get a bucket (I've got a 99pence bucket from Focus), fill it in with fast setting cement like Post-crete and put a few large branches from a parrot safe tree. I've got a willow tree branch and an ash tree branch. They serve as the base for the gym. Then later on I added another large branch, from an apple tree and just rested it on top of the firm concrete and attached the new branches to the base branches with piece of sisal rope (all loose strands cut off). You can use cable ties for that too. Then to make it even more fun I took smaller branches and attached them horizontally to the gym. I change them from time to time to replace them for the new fresh ones with the bark still on.

And finally lots of toys are hung on it, which change regularly.

The concrete is covered with a paper based litter called Megazorb, just because that is what I have for Dudley the rabbit and Digby doesn't go down there anyway. I change it regularly. For a more permanent fixture and for more explorative parrots it can be covered up with pebbles or newspaper for example.
So it looks like this

Now recently the budgies have decided that the gym looks very much fun and invaded poor Digby's territory

Digby gets frustrated when the budgies are around so when they are out he is already covered up for his bedtime.

Here is Digby preparing to go to sleep

Why Meat Is A No No

2011-02-03T18:31:00.001Z

I read way too often that people feed their parrots meat. I very much disagree with the idea. There are a few reasons for that.

1. Meat, if not organic, contains residue amounts of antibiotics, hormones and other drugs the farm animals are regularly fed. Humans are quite large and those minute amounts might not do any harm to us, but can anyone say for certain they wouldn't to our birds which are 100% smaller than us?

2. Meat is not just high in protein but it is also high in fat, especially red meat. White meat, like chicken or turkey are often prepared with a large amount of fat additionally to what it already contains. The fat in meat is mainly saturated. Parrots' system is quite accustomed to digesting and procession vegetable fats, but what parrot has ever eaten a cow in the wild? This excess amount of fat is damaging to the birds' arteries and heart. The heart attacks and strokes are on the rise among parrots, especially African Greys. Why take risk?

Photograph by Karen Shaw

3. Meat is not a natural food for parrots. I hear a lot people say parrots eat insects in the wild, so they consume animal protein and it is only natural to give them meat. But insects and cows are very very different types of animals and their bodies represent very different kinds of protein (and its amount). The bugs have thick keratinous shells, which are a source of calcium, rather than meat, for example. The amount of meat in a bug is miniscule.

4. Protein stimulates hormonal/breeding behaviour in parrots. If you have a lone parrot and there is no way for him/her to vent this behaviour out, it can lead to serious behavioural problems, including feather plucking. Again, why take chances

5. Protein is high in amino acid called methionine, the excess of which has to be processed by the liver and kidneys. These organs are already relatively weak in pet parrots since they have to deal with so many toxins in our environments you really don't want to make it worse for them.

Photograph by Dan

6. Protein is an essential nutrient for healthy muscles, skin, feathers and of course internal organs. Parrots in the wild are very active, they fly for miles in search of foods, fly over from one tree to another, breed, raise youngs, etc. Their protein requirements are probably quite high. Our pet parrots however fly in about 3 meter stretches (compare that to a mile distance in energy expenditure - walk for 3 meters and then walk for a mile and see just how different it feels), they mainly climb about and are supplied with large quantities of food they don't have to do anything about. They really do not require all that extra protein and fat from meat.

7. I have recently read on a parrot forum such argument for meat is that some cockatoos were observed to eat dead animal's bones in the wild. This is a ridiculous argument since bones are not meat. The parrots must have used them as a source of calcium, and not protein. It is quite likely that it was the breeding season too. Our parrots can get all their calcium from their pellets and UV light or direct light exposure will help them to metabolise it properly.

8. And finally the World Health Organisations recommends that people eat red meat no more than 3 times a week for health reasons. To me it says something.

Here is research paper by Dr Debra Mcdonald on protein requirements for parrots, which pretty much says that meat is not good for parrots http://www.drmacs.com/ProteinRequirementsofBirds.pdf
There is a reason why the best parrot pellets don't contain meat - there is no need for it.

When I hear an excuses for giving meat (or in fact any other bad for parrots food) which goes like "my parrot loves meat so much I can't resist giving it", "or when I am having a piece of chicken my parrot screams the house down if I don't give it some meat" or "I want to make my parrots' life as rich as possible so I want to give them everything I am having" or "A little bit once in a while won't harm" I cringe. I don't understand any of those excuses. Would you give your child a piece of lead to play with if he was really really asking for it? Parrots are like children, they can't make informed choices about their diet, but we can and we must be strict about this one of the most important aspects of their lives.
There are so many more health and parrot friendly protein sources to be had - cooked or sprouted pulses or grains, nuts, seeds and of course good quality preferably organic pellets.
I refuse to believe that without that piece of meat your parrot's life will suddenly become boring and unvaried. It just can't be true when there are dozens of varieties of vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, herbs, spices available. It is up to you to make it as fun as possible without harming your pet's health.

Here is Digby enjoying his source of protein which is also a source of natural live enzymes, vitamins and minerals with a zero fat content, but plenty of fibre to keep his arteries free of plaque and his heart healthy.

New Blog For Feather Plucking Parrots

2011-01-14T20:06:00.000Z

Check out my new blog devoted entirely to parrots who pluck.

http://welovefpp.blogspot.com/

Feather plucking is a serious problem for many parrot owners but often there is not much you can do about it if the issue is proved to be psychological. In this case we just need to learn and accept them as they, bald and gorgeous, the loveliest creatures and the best companions, with or without feathers. This is what this blog is about. I am going to update it with the stories of the parrot owners whose birds pluck their feathers for one reason or another. You might find the stories inspirational and helpful, perhaps they have done something you haven't ever tried which might be worth a shot. But if that doesn't help, are we going to love them any less? Of course not! :)
I will also update the blog with the information on different products and ideas which might be helpful to feather pluckers. But don't forget, at the first onset of feather plucking it is vital to take your parrot to an avian vet for a health checkup as many cases of feather plucking are caused by physiological problems and they have to be rectified to make sure your parrot is going to live a long and happy life

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T11:59:00.000Z

From Dudley

Budgie Boy

The rest of the crew didn't feel very festive! :)

Free Issue Of Good Bird Magazine

2010-11-14T18:22:00.000Z

Barbara Heidenreich is offering everyone to view a sample issue of Good Bird magazine absolutely free. To view it either go to her website http://www.goodbirdmagazine.com/

or here is the direct link Free Good Bird Magazine

Double Baked Veggie Biscotti

2010-11-10T19:15:00.000Z

Ingredients:
1 cup of buckwheat flour
1 cup of corn flour
1/2 cup of rolled oats
1/2 cup of ground pellets
2 jars of orange veggies baby food (like carrot, butternut squash, sweet potatoe)
1 egg
1/4 tsp baking powder

Combine all the flours and baking powder together.

You can use any other flours instead of those mentioned above, just avoid using white flour. Wholemeal flour, spelt flour, quinoa or rice flour would make good substitutes.
To make buckwheat flour just put the desired amount into a coffee grinder and ground it into a flour. This how it turns out after a good whizz

Once the dry ingredients are mixed, add two jars of the baby food and the egg. Mix well.
These are the jars of baby food I used

The dough should come off the sides of the bowl and you should be able to roll it out in a sausage. I sprinkled it with a few hemp seeds on top too

Put "the sausage" in the oven and bake at 170C or gas mark 4 for about 25 minutes.
Remove it from the oven, transfer to a cutting board and cut it into thin slices.

Return the slices on to a baking tray and bake for further 30 minutes.

Once ready let them cool and freeze.

Mine stayed slightly soft in the middle. If you want them dry all through then keep them in the oven for longer second time round but it is best to turn down the heat after 30 minutes to make sure they don't burn.

To make them more appealing just add some chopped dry fruit and nuts to the dough.
Bon Appétit!

Totally Organics Tesoro Treats

2010-11-09T11:19:00.000Z

I am very excited about this product. First of all I love it because it contains all natural ingredients, and not just dry regular stuff but first germinated to increase the nutritional profile. It is all organic and natural, with no nasty additives. It doesn't contain any added synthetic vitamins which is great for those who feed vitamin-enriched pellets and are afraid of overdose of the good thing.

But most importantly Digby loves it too. And what a great way to get all those tiny but so nutritious seeds into him! Tesoro crackers are really thin and really crunchy which definitely appeals to Mr Digby. Quite frankly I thought he would just pick the pumpkin seeds and throw away the rest (like he does with nutri-berries, though in those he goes for peanuts first), but he surprised me by crunching the whole thing up.

And all those crumbs are not wasted, the budgies love them :)

So what is in them?
The ingredients are as follows: Human grade organic pumpkin seeds, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, golden flax seeds, garlic, dulse flakes, cayenne pepper.

PUMPKIN SEEDS
One of the richest sources of dietary zinc, essential for strong immune system, skin, muscles, eyes and nervous system. They are a great source of EFA and protein.
SESAME SEEDS
Loaded with minerals, especially high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, and are so high in vitamin E that its oil or meal is often used as a preservative. Contains all amino and essential fatty acids known today.
FLAXSEED
Rich in EFA, possesses anti-cancer and cholesterol-lowering properties, is rich in fiber and great for skin and feathers.
GARLIC
Is naturally anti-viral, an anti-biotic and anti-fungal. It can also improve the heart health.
PURPLE DULSE
A sea vegetable that is a natural source of essential minerals, especially iodine, vitamins, ions, sea salt and roughage.
CAYENNE AND RED CHILI PEPPERS
High in vitamin A, C, iron, calcium and contain vitamin G, B-complex, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur.

The box weighs around 70 grams, but there are quite a lot of crackers and they will last us quite awhile. They are very thin and very light, that is why you get loads for such a small weight. The treats come in a plastic box which can be easily reclosed tightly to keep the treats just as fresh and crunchy. Me, Digby, Betty and my budgie boy (with no name yet) are very pleased with it!

US customers can purchase TOP Tesoro Treat from Totally Organics website

UK customers will be able to purchase it from my shop ParrotComforts very soon, in about a week or so.

Hideaways

2010-09-22T11:51:00.000+01:00

There is a common opinion that boxes are not good for lone parrots as they stimulate hormonal behavior and can cause excess egg laying in female birds. However I've seen a few articles which say that each parrot needs a hideaway, a nest, a little nook where he can rest and enjoy himself.
Since I've started providing Digby with a box, a hideaway of some sort I've noticed that his behavior improved a lot and he behaves a lot more hormonal and destructive when he doesn't have a box to hide in.
In fact, this is how I found out that he loves to have a box to hide in: he used to try and get in every dark nook and cranny when he just moved in with us. That was of course a sign of hormonal behavior as I thought and I tried to discourage it as much as I could but nothing helped. Tirelessly he would seek the corners, chew the walls and sometimes even go to sleep under the sofa! Until I found the solution - I gave him a box, he loved it, he calmed down and he has been happy ever since.

His hideaways are not always boxes, sometimes they are baskets or even a paper bag (given only under supervision). I never place them in his cage as he just doesn't seem to be interested or brave enough to go in them when in the cage. They always rest on his part of the windowsill.

It works for Digby, but I am safe in knowledge that he is a boy and not going to lay an egg. I would not advise giving boxes to female parrots. Egg laying is a dangerous thing and can deplete the bird's calcium storage and cause egg binding.

These are just some of the hideaways he had over the year:

I enjoy providing Digby, and Dudley the rabbit too, with large boxes. I usually put something inside as well, like a phone book or old toys for shredding. Then I watch them work, chew, shred, shaping their own habitat. They make the doors where they want them to be, Digby shreds the paper and toys to create perfect soft, finely shredded base of the box. With having a box he has something to work on, daily. Once I see there is nothing left to work on and the box is starting to look old and sad I throw it away and replace with a new clean one.

This is not strictly a hideaway but a pine shelf of his, but it does provide some sort of shelter and he enjoyed sitting on it, shaping it up, moving things around, trimming the wood.

Bird Talk Magazine

2010-09-21T18:39:00.000+01:00

If you don't subscribe to it yet, then it is definitely worth doing it! It is a great magazine with a lot of information, colourful pictures and useful advice. The best thing is that you can subscribe from anywhere in the world for only $25 for a year and that includes delivery.
To subscribe go here

Or check out a very informative website of Bird Talk magazine Bird Channel

Bird Talk features a wide range of articles on nutrition, behavior and health. Regular columns include Memo To Pepper & Parker by wonderful Patricia Sund, Heart to Heart by Chris Davis, Parrot Psychology by Liz Wilson, and many others.

October Issue will feature the following articles: Poicephalus Tips, Don't Take Parrot Behavior Personally, Society Finches, Enrichment Made Easy Part 4.

Looking forward to receiving my October issue, it should be in the post already, woo hoo!

What He Sees

2010-09-16T22:15:00.000+01:00

Out of the window:

Ikea Finds (For Parrots)

2010-09-10T12:43:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary with Nicholas and for some strange reason we decided it was a good idea to go to Ikea on the day. Whenever and wherever I shop, I am on the lookout for things I could use for the birds. This time wasn't any different and I found some really good things in Ikea.

Spritta Apple Slicer

I absolutely love it! It is super easy to use. You just put an apple in the base and slide the top on it. What you get - is perfectly sliced and, most importantly, de-cored apple. Why is it so important? Because apple seeds are poisonous, so removing the core and serving the apple to the birds and bunny is now super easy. The slices are large enough to put on a skewer and small enough for Digby to hold in his foot. If putting on a skewer I spritz some lemon juice on the slices first, to prevent them from going brown.
It makes the job of chopping up apples for pies, freshly squeezed apple juice and birdie bread a whole load of easier too! And I love it is vibrant green colour.

Slom Jar With Lid

I love these glass jars as they don't just look cute but they are the best way to store food too. Plastic containers can release toxins so glass is the safest option. They are also dishwasher safe for those who use those, I wash everything by hand :). I store my sprouting mix, pellets, budgie seed mix and other dry goods in them. They are perfect for my home-made jams and conserves too. They come in three different sizes.

Komplement Multi-Use Hanger

Can you see its potential? It makes a perfect climbing frame! And for only £2.99 it makes a very cheap parrot toy too! The good thing about it as it has a hook at the top covered in fabric and the hook itself is steel so even if the parrot gets to it it is not so bad, as if it was zinc or brass or any other metal toxic for birds. The rest of the frame is plastic. I wouldn't put this sort of toy in the cage of larger parrots since they can easily chew on it and I don't think chewing any plastic is a good idea. But it makes a perfect addition to the playground set up. For now I have hung it up on Digby's tree but as he is not much of a climber he might just decide it is a chew toy, then it will migrate to the budgies' playground. Will see how it goes.

Pilatorp Baskets, Set of 4

The photo is from Ikea website

These baskets are made of peeled willow and nothing else. They are a bargain at £4.99 for 4. The larger baskets can make great foraging boxes if filled with foot toys, nuts, etc. and the smaller ones can just be hung up in the cage or playground for some proper shredding. I haven't purchased these ones this time because I still have a stock of "parrot" baskets but they will go in my yellow shopping bag next time I am in Ikea.

Paint Job

2010-09-08T12:30:00.014+01:00

We moved in the flat we now live in about 4 years ago. The previous owners were really nice people and redid the whole flat before selling it. However they chose quite un-traditional colours for the rooms. Our living room was peach and dark red, our bedroom was completely red. They definitely had something for red! Well I don't and being quite a temperamental person I need the calming influence of more neutral colours. We repainted our bedroom straightaway, but even though Nicholas wanted to change the peach colour to white in the living room straightaway I refused because I was worried about the birds and where they would go if we were to paint the living room.

A few weeks ago I've come across this super blog I now read daily and that was the last drop. I had to make the room white. At least partially, because the red is still there but only on the fireplace wall and around the windows and we have huge windows, so there is not much wall around them.
So with the determination off I went to look for parrot-safe paints. How excited I was when I found Ecos organic paints. These paints are solvent, toxins and VOC free. But just to be on the safe side I emailed the company and asked if i would still need to remove the birds from the room being painted and the reply was:

"Ecos Paints & Varnishes are entirely non-toxic; we have had many customers who have used our paints & varnishes with parrots (also bees, vivaria, aquaria, aviaries, etc) & we are well aware of the unusual sensitivity of these birds & our parrot-owning customers have

never had any problems."

Ecos paints are a bit pricier than your regular standard paint but it was worth it. The paints arrived very quickly. I just love their tins, are they gorgeous:

They cover really well too and very easy to wash off your hands or surfaces. I even had some of it in my hair courtesy of Nicholas and that washed off quickly and painlessly!

When painting I could smell something, so it is not entirely odour-free. The smell reminded me PVA glue smell. Yesterday, however, I decided to paint our old TV stand with regular B&Q antique grey solvent based paint as I could do it in the bedroom with widely open windows so as not to poison the birds. That was a nightmare for my lungs and nose and you can call Ecos odour free in comparison to a solvent based paint!

Before

Oh and the previous owners had a thing for fake wood pattern too (that is what you see on the door). It doesn't look as bad in the photo as it does in real life.

After

All nice and white, but the door still needs another coat and the switch needs replacing with something abit more exciting than that. But all those jobs pose no risk to my birds and I am soooo happy!

Look Who I Met

2010-09-07T13:14:00.004+01:00

On Saturday, the 4th of September me and Nichols visited Wingham Wildlife Park. Overall it was a pleasant experience and we met a few lovely dudes, like this friendly Lory

He lives in a lovely tropical house, surrounded by lots of java finches and tropical plants. He is friends with a lovely green Turaco too and a bunch of butterflies. When we came by him he was sitting high up on a tree branch. I started whistling to him and he seemed interested. After a few minutes we just went and sat down on a bench a meter away from him. He gradually climbed down the eucalyptus to where we were. He then hang off a thin eucalyptus branch to look at us closer.

He didn't even mind us scratching his head and would put one of his feet on our finger but not the other! Go figure!

that scratch on my cheek is a result of a fight with some brambles
and a plum tree at the allotment, it is not the lory's fault

We also met some sleepy lemurs

Not so sleepy turtles

And gorgeous herons

We also visited so-called Parrot House which I didn't enjoy at all. It was extremely boring, for the parrots, not me, as they didn't have a single toy or any stimulating "furniture" in their cages. The birds looked quite bored, though we did cheer them up for a bit by whistling and doing some head bobbing, to which they always respond happily. After some thinking I sent an email to Wingham Park to complain about the conditions the parrots are kept in. I was told that improving the aviaries is on their maps, so fingers crossed it will get better one day!

All in all it was a pleasant experience and surprisingly we even were lucky with the weather!

In Season: Cobnuts

2010-09-06T12:09:00.002+01:00

The season of fresh nuts here in the UK is quite short. The nuts on offer are mainly cobnuts and also walnuts, though these are harder to find. I was lucky however and picked some of both from my local farm shop. Fresh nuts taste quite different to dry ones. They are crunchy and even slightly moist. This makes me think they are lower in fat than once they get dry.

Cobnuts, are a type of a hazelnut. They are rich in vitamin E, B1 and B6 and calcium. They have a good amount of protein and fibre too. Cobnuts can be slightly cracked for smaller parrots or given whole in shell to macaws or large cockatoos. I am not sure what Digby enjoys more - eating nuts or chewing on the shell of cobnuts and walnuts.

When choosing nuts to give to parrots in shell choose those without any sign of rot.

You can see in the photo some nuts are whiter and some are darker. The lighter ones are just younger nuts. These are the ones I choose to give to Digby. There is one black-ish nut on the left there in the pile. It looks to me like it has started to go mouldy, so I would definitely not give that one to him.

Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are very rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, contain some minerals, like manganese and copper. Walnuts also possess anti-inflammatory properties, so good for arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions sufferers. They also have an antioxidant compound beneficial for immune system support.

Since walnuts are quite large in size I wouldn't give more than half of it per day per medium sized parrot. Again, eating them from a shell is a lot more exciting for birds and if you know they are fresh and clean you can have a piece of mind that they are safe nibbling on that woody shell.

All nuts are best kept in the fridge short-term and in the freezer long-term. If they are dry then they can go rancid if left at room temperature for long, ff they are fresh nuts then they will just go mouldy if not stored properly.

Here is his highness first enjoying his tiny bit of walnut, then cobnut...

Budgies' Houseplant

2010-09-04T21:13:00.003+01:00

Sometimes I grow wheatgrass for the birds and the rabbit. Usually I just pick a few grass blades and clip them to the cage bars but they wilt very quickly this way. So, here is my solution to the problem. Meet my new budgies' houseplant:

How it is made:

I get these trays of grass sold for rabbits under Trixie brand. The seeds which come with the pack don't germinate very well and take ages. Instead I just sprinkle wheat berries into the medium. It grows really well and the roots of the grass don't go mouldy as easily as they do if the wheat grass is just grown on a paper towel or even compost.

It takes only about a week for the grass to grow this big:

To pot a piece of grass I just cut out a small square off, along with the turf:

To prevent the birds from picking on the seeds and turf bits and to keep the root ball moist I wrapped it in a piece of paper towel:

I tucked the root ball in a bit more, than shown in the photo above, once it was in a cage as I could see if they would be able to reach the turf and seeds easily.

And here they are enjoying their snack:

I apologise for the grainy photo but they would hop away as soon as i got closer with the big scary camera so had to take the photo from afar.

For Your (And My) Home

2010-09-03T10:56:00.004+01:00

According to my husband, and I agree, having parrot related items in your home when you have parrots is just tacky. Well what about other birds? There are a few bird related things I would love love love to have in my home (maybe not all at once!). Here are a few of my favourites:

Ikea Cecilia Fabric in White/Green/Black

I actually own this one and it really is lovely. I have got three meters of it and my plan is to make windowsill sits out of it. Will see how it turns out!

Debenhams Black And White Bird Cushion

Having both this cushion and that Ikea fabric is probably going a bit too far, so I will stick with the fabric for now, but this cushion would have made a lovely addition to my newly painted white living groom otherwise.

How about this super adorable little Owl Egg Cosy?

It is bound to make you smiley in the morning!

Vintage Bird & Butterfly Lampshade

I think it is gorgeous, do you?

For more lovely bird related items check out http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Things To Live By

2010-09-02T21:26:00.001+01:00

How inspiring is that?

This lovely poster can be purchased here

So how am I doing then?

Bake Cake - check!

Drink Tea - check!

Choose Handmade - something to work on

Love Your Town - Hastings is a nice town, so I suppose I kind of love it

Sing - hmm, I'd rather not!

Keep It Wonky - no problem!

Barter & Swap - I am sort of doing it - gave away an old small budgie cage through Freecycle yesterday (just as a temporary solution for a nice family) and getting some foam through Freecycle too for myself

Make Stuff - check!

Write Letters - check!

Champion The Underdog - hmm, need to work on this one too

Grow Your Community - ok, I will try

Love All The People - that is a tricky one...

Live Your Life - ok...

Be Kind - yes, sir.

KILL YOUR TV - sorry, but that is not going to happen!

And I would add from myself - treasure each day you get to spend with your birds :) I know I do

In Season: Plums

2010-09-02T13:31:00.001+01:00

I've been buying lots of plums recently, proper, ripe, british plums. Plums are in season right now and their season should last till about late September- October.

Plums come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and even under different names: greengages, damsons, sloes (those tiny things growing in the woods), bullaces, etc. When feeding to your birds don't forget to remove the pip as it is poisonous (not the outer shell but the kernel, but still it is best to remove the whole pip).

To make the most of it, eat them raw, bake them in pies or even make a jar of plum jam, why not!

The benefits of plums:
Plums contain good amount of vitamin C, A, B12 and also potassium and dietary fibre. Plums are a good source of phenols, which are strong antioxidants, protecting each cell of our body from damage. Of course you will get the best out of your plums if you consume them fully ripe.

Of course I've been sharing the plums with Digby. I can't say he is that keen, but he eats a tiny bit and that is good enough for me. You don't have to give them only raw. They can also be baked, mashed and chopped along with other fruit to create a yummy fruit salad for birds. Low-fat plain natural yogurt will make a good dressing for that sort of salad. Or simply add baked plums to plain yogurt to sweeten it and make it more fun for your bird.

This is how I've used my latest batch of plums (for humans only, I am afraid, none of it is good for the birds)
I've made a tray crumble cake.
It is really easy to make and it is sooooo good.
All you need is:
270g plain or self-raising flour (I use self-raising, just because it is the only one I have got at the moment)
125g sugar
200-215g fridge cold butter
about half a jar of any berry conserve
and about 6-7 medium sized plums, sliced.

Mix flour, sugar and butter with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Line your tin/tray with baking parchment and place 3/4 of the mixture on the tray. Gently flatten the mixture to form a thin base, but don't overdo it as it will become hard and unpleasant if compacted too much.

(ignore the brown line along the right side of the table, it is not dirt, it is cinnamon, my way of fighting off ants. They are gone now but I kept the cinnamon on for just a bit longer in case they decide to return!)

Now take your conserve. If it is a bit too jelly-like break it up with a spoon in a bowl, then spread it evenly on top of the dough mix. I used Waitrose seedless raspberry jam. Sprinkle sliced plums on tops and then top it all up with remaining dough mixture.

Place in the oven for about 40-55 minutes, at gas mark 4 (170C). When it is ready, take the tray out of the oven and let the cake cool completely before attempting to remove it from the tin, otherwise it will all break apart.

Enjoy!

Cleaning Naturally

2010-08-26T19:43:00.002+01:00

All responsible parrot owners are aware that most cleaning solutions, like bleach for example are harmful to parrots. On top of that, using any sort of synthetic air-freshners or something like Febreeze can even kill them. So how can you keep your house clean, smelling nice and your parrot healthy and happy? I have complied a list of natural solutions which at times do a better job than store-bought chemical products.
White Distilled Vinegar:

1. For general use make up a spray bottle with half water and half vinegar to clean bathrooms and kitchens. To add a fresh fragrance add a couple of drops of pure non-toxic essential oils. Lemon, orange or rosemary will work well.
2. To disinfect a smelly dishwasher put a small bowl of vinegar on the bottom rack and run through an empty cycle
3. To remove limescale from your kettle pour in a mixture of half vinegar, half water. Boil it up and leave overnight. In the morning tip out the mixture and boil again with fresh water to clear the vinegar residue.
4. To clean shower heads, pour vinegar into a small plastic bag, knot the handles over the shower head, secure with a rubber band and leave overnight. Rinse with water in the morning to reveal lime-scale free shower head.
5. To unblock a drain put two Alka Seltzer tablets down it, followed by a cup of vinegar. After 10 minutes pour down hot water. The chemical reaction between Alka Seltze and vinegar should shift the blockage.
6. To remove perspiration stains from clothes soak them in warm water and distilled vinegar. Test first on a small piece of fabric if soaking deeply coloured items.
7. To wash windows make up a solution of equal parts of white vinegar and water. Soak a piece of crumpled newspaper in the solution and apply the solution to the windows in circular motion. If desired wipe it clean with a squeegee.
8. To polish leather sofas mix one part white wine vinegar and 2 parts cheap olive oil. Apply with a soft cloth, leave for 10 minutes and then buff with a clean duster.
Bicarbonate of Soda

1. For clothes washing add 50g of Soda Crystals to your detergent in the washing machine to shift grease, blood, ink, tea and coffee stains from cotton an linen. To shift difficult stains pre-soak in a strong soda crystals solution first.
2. To soften water in the hard-water areas add about 25-50g of soda directly to the detergent drawer and add detergent at level recommended for soft-water areas. Check for colour-fastness first.
3. To clean burnt-on food soak pans, ovens dishes, etc. in a strong, hot solution. (Strong solution is 1 pint/500ml of water to 1 cup of soda)
4. To remove grease from work-tops, floor or wall tiles, oven hobs and hoods make up a mild solution of soda crystals and warm water. Spread the solution on the surfaces with a sponge, let it stand for a few minutes and then rinse. (Mild solution is 1 pint/500ml of water to 1 tablespoon/20grams of soda
5. To keep drains clean put about 500g of soda crystals down the drain, then sluice down with boiling water. (from personal experience: I had bad smells coming from the kitchen drains for awhile and no amount of bleach helped. After putting soda down the drains 2 or 3 times the smells were gone and haven't reappeared!)
7. To get rid of grease on oven doors, make up a paste of 2 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda and a small amount of water. Scrub the doors using a sponge and the paste.
8.To remove stains on teacups, spoons etc. put 1 teaspoon of soda in each cup, add water and leave to soak. If cleaning spoons, just drop them in the cups too. Rinse once soaked. If stains still remain just give a little scrub with the hard side of the sponge.
9. To get rid of smells in the fridge put a cup or a small bowl filled with soda crystals at the bottom of the fridge.
10. Sprinkle a little bicarbonate of soda in trainers to get rid of smells.
11. To remove smells from the carpets and sofa's fabric sprinkle with soda crystals and vaccum as normal
12. To remove crayon stains off the walls make up a paste of equal parts of bicarbonate of soda and water. Rub them on the marks and then wipe with a clean cloth. This method works best for white or light-coloured walls.

Lemons
1. Put half a lemon in your dishwasher to give dishes an extra shine and nice smell.
2. To clean chopping boards and remove unwanted smells rub them with a halved lemon. To tackle stronger smells and stains, squeeze the juice over the boards and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse.
3. To make a simple air-freshner mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle
4. For a natural wood furniture polish combine 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts olive oil. Rub it in with soft cloth.
5. To get rid of bad smells in a microwave, wipe any stains first with clean water or vinegar solution. Then put half a lemon in and microwave it for 30 seconds. Discard the lemon.

Miscellaneous
1. If your dish bubbles over in the oven or on a stove sprinkle salt all over the spill to soak it up. Once the surface is cool just wipe off the soap.
2. To clean crumbs and small bits and pieces off the bath or other small mats glide a lint roller or a wad of masking or sticky tape over them.
3. To give your clothes a fresh smell soak them for a couple of hours in a solution of half a bucket of water and 2 aspirin tablets.
4. To remove red wine spills off the carpet apply a dab of shaving cream on the stain and then rinse with cold water.
5. To remove watermarks and scratches off the wooden furniture rub them with a halved Brazil nut.

Where to buy: All of the above mentioned products are available from most supermarkets.
White/distilled vinegar is available from oil/vinegar aisles.

Soda Crystals can be found in the detergents aisle of the supermarkets and the bicarbonate of soda - in the baking section.
I have been using DP Soda Crystals, which cost £0.91 from Tesco for 1kg bag. It is a wonderful and very versatile product which is safe to use around birds (just keep them away from ingesting it of course!)

Dri-Pak has a few other products which can be used safely an easily around your birds. For more info see http://www.dri-pak.co.uk/index.html

Patricia Sund's "Chop"

2010-08-26T19:42:00.001+01:00

have recently discovered a great blog called Parrot Nation written by Patricia Sund (the link to the blog can be found in the blogroll on the left of this page). There I have found a recipe for parrot food called "Chop" which Patricia cooks for her African Greys. Looking at those guys I thought "we will have what they are having!" and got down to writing a shopping list for the Chop ingredients.

It combines a number of super-heathy and nutritious ingredients: plenty of vegetables rich in all sorts of vitamins and minerals, seeds, like hemp seed, which is rich in essential fatty acids and has a high protein content, seaweed, which is rich in calcium, magnesium, iodine and Patricia also notes that it is high in essential omega fatty acids too. On top of that, it has got pulses and grains, which also provide some protein, complex carbohydrates, many vitamins of B group and other nutrients.

So, with a shopping list I went to my favourite heath food shop and purchased some ingredients for my Chop:

Carrots, Squash, Sweet Potatoe, Broccoli, Wild Rocket, Parsley, Apples, Pears, Kiwi, Chinese Cabbage and Bell Pepper

Hemp seed, Golden Linseed, Fennel Seed, Dill Seed, Millet Grain and Jumbo Oats

Seaweed (Nori, Dulce, Sea Lettuce) and Rosehip and Hibiscus Tea (50% of each)

And I already had some grains and lentils on hand

I chopped all of the veg in the food processor, starting with carrots, sweet potatoe and broccoli stem. Note this gorgeous red carrot, I think it looks lovely!

Next I washed and dried Wild Rocket and some Parsley in a salad spinner

Added some broccoli and chopped

Then I added that big orange Squash, Apple and Bell Pepper to the food processor, leaving out the squash seeds and adding them later to the mix

Then I added some cooked lentils to the mix

Separately from the vegetables I have chopped in the fruit processor Kiwi and Pears.

Due to this fruit being very juicy I mixed them together with Jumbo Oats and the Oats absorbed the moisture. Then it was also added to the main mix.

Hemp seed, Dill seed, Fennel seed and Golden Linseed, cooked millet are added

Then I soaked some Seaweed, drained and added that to the mix, along with some Peas, Cranberries, Rosehips and Hibiscus, cooked Wheat and Amaranth

So this is the mix ready. I didn't add any pulses because I cooked and froze a batch only a couple of days ago, so these will be added to the Chop mix right before feeding.

While I popped out of the kitchen to check the instructions on Chop Digby managed to jump right in the bowl so tempting it looked for him!

After the picture was taken, I retrieved him from the bowl and he continued to enjoy his Chop sitting on the edge of the bowl, somehow this seems more hygienic to me!

My bunny wasn't left out and got a large plate of greens which were used in the Chop recipe

My budgie got a helping too later in the day and picked a few bits. Tomorrow I will mix it with a little bit more of her seed and see if she feels more tempted to try it that way.

While my animals were enjoying their healthy, beautiful food, full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, I was snacking on this:

YUM!

Parrot Crunchy Biscuits

2010-08-26T19:41:00.001+01:00

Parrot Crunchy Biscuit Recipe
These biscuits make a great and healthy treat, which is also easy to use in foraging toys as it is quite dry and can keep all day in a toy without spoiling. It is also a good way to introduce pellets to finicky parrots, including smaller birds, like budgies.
You will need:
1 cup of pellet crumble (I use Roudybush Crumble but any pellet can be used)

1 handful of almonds
1 handful of hazelnuts
1 handful of mixed nuts (walnuts, brazils)
1 small handful of unhulled sunflower seeds

1 small handfull of mixed small seeds, like millet,flax and oats
1 tbsp of water
1 egg
Directions:
Put all nuts in a plastic bag and put it on a soft towel. Bash with a rolling pin to break the nuts up, but be careful not to burst the bag.

Put all the dry ingredients into the bowl, including broken up nuts

Then add all your wet ingredients, mix well and let the mix stand for a few minutes to allow the pellets to absorb the moisture.
Take a baking sheet, layer a piece of baking parchment on it. Then, with two spoons shape the mixture into a biscuit shape. Alternatively you can roll the mix into small balls. Lay them out on the baking tray and bake in the oven at 180C for 15-20 minutes.
Here is the final result:

And here is my chief tester enjoying his biscuit

PS: If you have only large pellets, like Harrison's Coarse, just pulse them in a food processor or bash them with the rolling pin, just like you did with the nuts earlier. Alternatively, just add a bit more water and let the mix stand for a bit longer for pellets to go soft and mushy, but don't overdo on water, you still want the biscuits to be crunchy and not soft, like muffins.

Harrison's Bird Bread

2010-08-26T19:40:00.003+01:00

Recently I have purchased two bags of Harrisons Bird Bread in the attempt to try and introduce more variety into my budgie's diet. Digby loves all sorts of bird breads so I knew he will enjoy it too.
I have bought two different varieties: Millet & Flax and Hot Pepper

The Ingredient list reads:
Millet & Flax reads: Harrison's Bird Foods, Grey Millet, Brown Flax Seed, Baking Powder (aluminum-free) calcium carbonate.
Hot Pepper: Harrison's Bird Foods, Grey Millet, Sweet Corn, Cayenne Pepper, Baking Powder (aluminum-free) calcium carbonate.
Baking Instructions:
You'll Need:
1 bag Harrison's Bird Bread Mix
2 whole eggs (no shells)
1 cup water
1 Tbsp HEALx Sunshine Factor or vegetable oil

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 F (180C). Pour contents of bag into medium mixing bowl.

Add rest of ingredients.

Mix thoroughly and pour into greased bread pan or muffing tin. I sprinkled some Harrison's High Potency Fine Pellets on top

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Once ready, cut into small squares (I get about 30 squares per loaf) and freeze.

This is the squares of Millet & Flax Bread I baked, cut and froze earlier.

For my budgie I prefer to put a square of bread on a skewer. She seems to enjoy shredding it more than eating it but I am sure something gets inside! Digby loves it and eats with pleasure!
A few more words about Harrison's Bird Bread taken from Handbook for a Healthier Bird created by Harrison's Bird Foods®:

It provides a healthy alternative for bird owners who choose to prepare their own bird food or those who give regular treats to their birds.
Can be offered instead of table food to birds that like to eat at family mealtimes.
Can be used to assist in converting birds to a formulated diet.
Can be hidden as a foraging reward
Can be used as a vehicle for administering liquid medication
Provides an easy-to-use transition for hospitalized or boarding birds until acceptance of the appropriate formulated diet.
Can be moistened and offered to birds that are feeding chicks as a soft food.
Can be used as a weaning food to transition to a formulated diet.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min.) 15%, crude fat (min.) 8%, crude fiber (max) 6.5%, moisture (max.) 10%
Our verdict: Harrison's Bird Bread is certainly worth trying!

Fats And EFA

2010-08-26T19:40:00.001+01:00

Fats are an essential component of any diet. They are needed for nutrient absorption (including such fat-soluble vitamins as A and D), maintenance of cell membranes, nerve transmission, bile flow, proper brain function and many many other processes in the body. However not all fats are beneficial for our bodies. Fats can be roughly divided into good and bad. The group of good fats is comprised of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts and seeds. The bad fats are made up of saturated fats and trans-fats.
The Bad Fats:
Saturated fats are found primarily in animal products, such as meat and dairy, but also in small quantities in nuts and palm oil. Saturated fats are linked to increased cholesterol levels and heart disease.
Trans-fats are not found in nature but were created by the scientists. Because our (or our parrots') body doesn't know what trans-fats are they are not processed or removed from the system but continue to circulate in the arteries and potentially form plaques which contribute to coronary heart disease. Heart disease is not only the leading cause of deaths in humans but also is on the increase in parrots. Moreover consumption of transfats increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity and liver dysfunction in humans. If they have such a profound and negative effect on humans' health, then they are almost certainly can cause all these illnesses and more in our companion parrots. For this reason please never feed your parrot any junk food, including crisps, tortilla chips, commercially produced pop corn, ice-cream, cakes, sausages etc.
General guidelines is to avoid feeding our parrots any "Bad Fats"
The Good Fats:
Let's now talk about the good fats, essential for our health. The good unsaturated fats are a source of essential fatty acids called Omega 3 and Omega 6 . They are called essential because every cell in the body needs these fats to function but they can't be produced by the body so must come from food. These fatty acids have a range of health benefits, including improved function of cardiovascular system, reduce the risk of cancers, and even are able to alleviate depression and improve the brain function.
The best sources of good fats and EFA are:
Rich in Omega 3:
Flaxseed oil (flaxseed oil has the highest linolenic (Omega 3) content of any food), flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, hempseed oil, hempseeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, dark leafy green vegetables (kale, spinach, purslane, mustard greens, collards, etc.), wheat germ oil.

Rich in Omega 6:

Flaxseed oil, flaxseeds, flaxseed meal, hempseed oil, hempseeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds (raw), olive oil, olives, borage oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower seeds and unrefined sunflower oil, safflower seeds and unrefined safflower oil.

It is important to remember that all foods high in fat are also high in calories. 1 gram of carbohydrates and proteins provide around 4 calories, whereas 1gram of fat provides 9 calories. Keeping that in mind all high-fat foods, like nuts and high-fat seeds must be given to parrots in moderation.
Daily ratio of nuts and seeds per parrot of about 450g per day:
1 walnut or
3 hazelnuts or
5 pine nuts or
4-5 pumpkin seeds or
10 sunflower seeds
If combining different types of nuts and seeds reduce the amount of each nut/seed type accordingly.
Another way to supplement the diet with EFAs is by serving a small amount, just a couple of drops, of unrefined flaxseed oil or so-called Omega blend.
One of the best and well-balanced brands of unrefined oils on the market is Udo's Choice Oil Blend.

To learn more about the product and find your local stockist please follow the link http://www.udoerasmus.com/products/oil_blend_en.htm
If using unrefined oils, including unrefined palm fruit extract, it is important to reduce the amount of nuts and seeds given proportionally. It is also beneficial to mix and match different ingredients for optimum results and to keep things interesting. Offer a couple of nuts and seeds on one day, on the other day stick to offering the seeds and a couple of drops of unrefined oil, the next day serve a small amount of palm fruit extract and a couple of nuts, but no high-fat seeds at all.
When choosing foods high in oil, like nuts or extra virgin seed/nut oils it is very important to make sure that they are fresh and are not damaged by heat, light or oxygen and have not gone rancid, because this would mean not only a decrease in palatability of the product but also decrease in vitamins and appearance of toxic compounds which are even linked to causing some types of cancers.
Never purchase nuts and seeds loose in petshops. It is important to purchase only human-grade nuts (or in fact any other ingredients you intend to feed to your parrot) because they are aflatoxin tested and are usually of a much higher quality than those intended for animal consumption. However even human-grade nuts must be examined for any signs of mold or rancidity and throw away if any are present before feeding them to a parrot.
To make sure nuts, seeds and unrefined oils don't go rancid nuts and seeds can be stored in the freezer or fridge and unrefined oils must be kept in the fridge.

Four Components Of Parrot Diet. Cooked Foods

2010-08-26T19:39:00.001+01:00

Cooked foods, when served warm, are not only nutritious but also comforting, especially for ailing or young birds. Cooking for parrots can be a lot of fun and you can be as inventive as you want. I feed my African Grey a mix of cooked grains and legumes, plus sprouted grains and legumes and a variety of vegetables and berries daily. This time of food is often referred to as the Mash Diet. It is quite easy to prepare and you can vary ingredients from one batch to another.

My TAG Digby enjoying his Mash
To cook a batch of nutritious mash mix 1 parts of legumes to 2 parts of grains (choose at least 2 different types of legumes and 2 types of grains from the lists below). Soak the legumes overnight. In the morning, cover the legumes with double the amount of water. Boil rapidly for about 20 minutes. Top up water if needed. Add the grains. Boil for another 15-20 minutes. It is best to ensure that when the mix is cooked no water is left. The water in which the mix is cooked contains some of the nutrients from the legumes and grains, and if drained, those nutrients are lost.

Another batch of the Mash
Once the legumes/grains mix is ready, add an equal amount of any chopped or minced vegetables (some vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, parsnips etc. can be added cooked, and others can be raw, especially leafy greens, like dandelion, cress, kale etc.) and a small amount of fruit. Divide into portions and freeze. Defrost as needed in the fridge overnight. Serve at room temperature or warmed up in a microwave. This type of food can be served for breakfast and dinner and the pellets can be provided during the rest of the day.

This mix is only suitable for cooking, because it contains some types of beans which must never be served raw.
Suggested legumes list

Aduki bean
Borlotti bean*
Butter bean*
Chickpea
Haricot*
Kidney bean*
Mung bean
Pinto bean*
Soya bean*
Peas
Lentils (any variety)

* these beans must be soaked for 8-12 hours or overnight, drained, rinsed and boiled for at least 40 minutes to deactivate toxic compounds found in these types of beans.
Suggested grains list:

Amaranth
Barley
Brown Rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Kamut
Millet
Oats
Quinoa
Spelt
Triticale
Wheat

Another popular food for birds is Birdie Bread. It is easy to prepare, easy to store (in the freezer) and parrots love it!
There are a few types of birdie bread you can make. One is just based on all sorts of flours, with the addition of vegetables, cooked grains, legumes, and eggs. Or Pellet Birdie Bread made almost entirely out of pellets. Or you can just mix and match so to say.
All Natural Birdie Bread
1/4 cup of wholewheat flour
1/4 cup of corn meal/flour (not white corn flour used for thickening sauces, but the yellow kind, also referred to as polenta)
1/4 cup of buckwheat flour*
1/4 cup of chickpea flour*
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1 cup of minced assorted vegetables or fruit or 2 jars of sugar/salt/dairy free baby food
2 eggs
2 tablespoons of palm fruit oil or extra virgin olive oil
100 ml of water (add last to be able to adjust the consistency depending on the amount and variety of vegetables)
Mix all ingredients together, adding water last. The consistency of the batter should be similar to that of the cake batter.
Pour into a cake or bread tin and bake in the oven at 180-190C (gas mark 5) for around 30 - 40 minutes. The bread is done once the skewer inserted in the centre of the bread comes out clean.
Cool on the rack, slice into squares and freeze. Defrost as needed.
* If you can't find buckwheat or chickpea flours you can replace them with any other flour of your choice. Avoid using white flour or rye flour.
Pellet Birdie Bread
1 cup of pellets ground up into flour (I found that Hagen pellets and Zupreem make for a very nice loaf)
1 tablespoon of baking powder
2 tablespoons of palm fruit oil or extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs
100ml of water.
Mix "pellet flour" with baking powder. Crack in the eggs, add oil and mix thoroughly. Add water, mix again and let it stand for a few minutes. The pellets will absorb the water and the batter will be quite thick but airy and easy to roll. Roll into small balls, place in a row on a baking tray/cooking sheet and bake at 180-190C (gas mark 5) for about 15 minutes. Cool and freeze. Defrost as needed.

Once you are familiar with how to make a loaf of birdie bread you can experiment with the ingredients, by adding almost anything you want to the mix.
Table/Human-type foods
Avoid feeding your parrot foods which contain any amount of salt or sugar. You can offer a small amount of foods you eat if they are prepared without salt. If you know your parrot is going to have dinner with you just omit adding salt to such things as pasta (best wholegrain or spelt varieties), rice or potatoes. You can always add salt once your food is on your dish for yourself. Alternatively, remove a small amount of food once it is cooked to a plate for your parrot and then add salt to the rest of the dish.
Salt is an unnecessary and dangerous for parrots. It is toxic and can lead to serious health problems, like kidney failure and even death, even if given on occasion. Therefore any human foods, containing salt, like crisps, chips, pretzels, nachos, etc. must be avoided.
Sugar is another product which must not be present in any parrot's diet in its refined form. Sugar can promote yeast growth in the gut and lead to a range of other health problems. For more info clickhere.
However, you can spice up your bird's food by adding such spices as cinnamon, chilli flakes, whole dry chillies, turmeric, dried parsley, oregano, rosemary or thyme when cooking.
Many parrot owners feel the need to feed their parrots chicken, chicken bones and other animal protein. Parrots in the wild don't consume any animal protein. During the breeding season some types of parrots allegedly snack on insects and larvae but it is not the same as eating chicken or chicken bones. Animal protein can lead to a number of health and behavioural problems. Excess of protein-rich foods prepares the body for breeding and therefore can cause hormonal behaviours, including aggression, screaming and feather-plucking. Furthermore, animal protein is generally high in methionine, an amino acid, which releases a toxic by-product called homocysteine when metabolised in the body. It is the liver and kidneys which have to remove the toxic compounds out of the body, and consequently an extra burden is placed on these organs, which appear to be quite weak (or not so well adjusted) in parrots as it is. There is nothing in meat which a well-balanced vegetarian diet can't provide in terms of nutrition for the parrot, so to avoid any health problems, do not feed your parrot meet!
Dairy products is another controversial subject. Parrots should never be given milk as they can't digest it properly and consumption of milk can lead to diarrhoea. However, such dairy products as low-fat unflavoured plain yoghurt or cottage cheese can be served once a week in the amount of about 1 teaspoon for a medium-sized parrot without any ill effects.
Further reading:
The Mash Diet
Recipes from ParrotHouse.com
Recipes from HolisticBirds.com

Four Components Of Parrot Diet. Fresh Foods

2010-08-26T19:38:00.001+01:00

Fresh foods is a very broad category.
The most important part of it is fresh vegetables and leafy greens. These should be served daily and make up a large proportion of the parrots' diet (around 20-30%). It is best to buy organic and seasonal fresh produce when possible. You can serve vegetables in all sorts of ways: whole or in chunks on skewers, chopped in large chunks or into small sunflower seed size pieces. You can serve vegetables raw or steamed/boiled.
Steaming is the best way to cook any vegetables as it allows the veg to retain most of its nutrients, whereas they can leak out into the water during boiling.

Try to provide a variety of different vegetables daily and not to overfeed with just one type of a vegetable. Many parrots love peas and corn, but if given the choice they will fill up on these and will ignore or will consume less of any other, often more nutritious vegetable, berry or fruit.
Suggested vegetable list:

Beetroot
Beet greens
Boy choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Carrot Tops
Cavolo Nero
Celery
Celeriac
Chard
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Chinese Cabbage
Courgette
Cress
Cucumber
Dandelion greens
Endive
French Beans
Greater Plantain (Plantago major)
Kale
Lettuce (dark green varieties)
Mange Tout
Okra
Parsnip
Pea
Pepper (Bell, Jalapeno, Chilli etc.)
Pumpkin
Rocket
Squash (Butternut, Winter and other varieties)
Spinach
Swede
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoe
Tatsoi
Tomatoe
Turnip
Turnip greens

Berries is a very nutritious addition to the diet and a much loved too. Apart from vitamins all sorts of berries contain different antioxidants, phytochemicals and polyphenols. Berries, together with fruit, can make up to 10% of the diet
Suggested berry list:

Blackberry
Blackcurrant
Bilberry
Blueberry
Cherry
Cranberry
Elderberry
Gooseberry
Hawthorn berry
Loganberry
Mulberry
Raspberry
Rose-hips
Rowan berry
Sea-buckthorn

Contrary to popular belief fruit should be served more as a treat rather than a large part of the diet. Fruit are very high in sugar and low in mineral/vitamin content. However they are still an important part and provide a range of beneficial nutrients.

Suggested fruit list:

Apple
Apricot
Banana
Clementine
Coconut
Date
Damson
Fig
Grape
Greengage
Orange
Kiwi
Lychee
Mandarin
Mango
Melon
Papaya
Passion Fruit
Pear
Peach
Persimmon
Pineapple
Plum
Pomegranate
Tangerine

Herbs can make a nice addition to a parrots diet and most of the herbs have one or another health promoting quality. Use herbs the same you would use them for yourself - to garnish your parrot's meal (sprinkled on cooked food, fresh chopped veggies and mixed with sprouted grains/pulses). All herbs are very rich in essential oils and some of them can have adverse effect if consumed in large quantities. If used sparingly they don't pose any problems.
Suggested herbs list:

Basil
Calendula
Coriander
Dill
Fennel
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Thyme

Garlic can be given to parrots in small quantities (1/10 of a clove, not bulb!) a couple of times a week without any problems. It can be beneficial for boosting the immune system and it possesses strong anti-bacterial properties too.
Another very important addition to the parrot's diet is grains and legumes. These can be cooked and some types of grains and legumes can be sprouted too. Grains and legumes are a very good source of carbohydrates and proteins. Legumes contain on average 20-25% of protein by weight. To balance out the amino acid profile to achieve complete protein aim to serve 2 parts grains to 1 part legumes in each meal containing these ingredients. Beans are a good source of dietary fiber, iron, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin B6 and folic acid.
Sprouted seeds and legumes is a very nutritious food, full of live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytochemicals. Sprouts are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, selenium and zinc.
Not all beans can be sprouted. Some beans, like kidney beans and soya beans for example, contain enzyme inhibitors which can cause severe indigestion, vomiting and diarrhoea. However these toxic compounds are destroyed during proper soaking and cooking time at high temperatures (boiling) for a prolong (around 40 minutes) period of time.
Suggested list of grains and legumes for sprouting:

Aduki beans
Buckwheat
Barley
Brown Rice
Chickpeas
Corn (dry, pop corn type)
Kamut
Lentils (any varieties)
Millet
Oats (whole and not porridge oats)
Quinoa
Peas (whole, not split)
Spelt
Triticale
Wheat

Additionally, hulled sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, alfalfa seeds, flax seeds and sesame seeds can be added to the sprouting mix.
Click here to read more on how to go about sprouting. Don't be afraid to start, it is very easy and even after 24 hour germination process dry grains and legumes turn into a nutritional powerhouse which your parrot will love!
NEVER give your parrot avocado, rhubarb, chocolate or coffee!

Four Components of Parrot Diet. Pellets

2010-08-26T19:37:00.002+01:00

A Healthy parrot diet can be divided into four components: pellets, fresh foods, cooked foods, dry seed and nuts.
Let's start with pellets.
There are many different views on pelleted diets, some people love them, some hate them, but the majority agrees that a pelleted diet must form the basis of any parrot's diet, apart perhaps from smaller species, like budgies and cockatiels who do better on a diet, with a larger proportion of seed mix compared to that of pellets.
Pellets is a very convenient food to feed. It is dry, so don't spoil easily. It is uniform so the picking is eliminated. It doesn't have hulls, so there is little waste. For these reasons, it is easy to leave the daily ratio of pellets in a bowl for a parrot during the day to snack on, unlike fresh foods, which have to be removed in 2 - 3 hours to prevent a parrot consuming spoilt foods.
Pellets come in all shapes and sizes, and even colours. It is best to stick to the natural, uncoloured pellets to avoid any possible allergies or other problems the dyes in pellets can cause. Artificial preservatives is another thing which you don't want to find in the ingredient list for the pellets you feed your bird. Choose the size appropriate for your bird.
Pellets should make up around 50% of your parrot's diet. Once your parrot accepts a pelleted diet, no vitamin/mineral supplementation is going to be required, and in fact, can cause more harm than good, because such fat-soluble vitamins as A, D, K and E can build up in liver if consumed in excess amounts and cause liver toxicity.
Conversion methods. The problem which many parrot owners face is the reluctance of their beloved birds to try pelleted foods, especially if they are trying to convert an adult parrot who was raised on a seed mix.
There are a few different conversion methods which are well worth trying. But before you start, remember, that you don't want to starve your parrot, you just want him/her to get a little hungry to actually go and try the new food you are offering. If possible, weigh your parrot on digital scales the day before conversion and then continue to weigh him/her daily to make sure the bird is not loosing much weight. Slight weight loss is possible, but no drastic weight loss should occur. If it does, return to feeding a regular diet and try the conversion again when the weight has gone back to normal.
Don't try to convert an ill parrot to a pelleted diet or in fact any new diet, before consulting your avian vet!
So here are some methods to try:
1. First thing in the morning place a bowl with a regular seed mix in the cage and let your parrot have some of the seed. Remove the bowl with the seed mix in about an hour and replace it with a bowl with pellets. Start by placing just about a tablespoon of pellets in the bowl. No need to fill the bowl up to the brim with pellets just to throw it all away later on when it is left uneaten. Remove the bowl with the pellets late afternoon and return already familiar food, like seed mix, back to the cage. Repeat until you see your parrot sampling and nibbling on his pellets. Once the process has began, increase the amount of time the bowl with pellets is left in the cage. Gradually eliminate the bowl with seeds completely. However, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't give a seed mix to your parrot ever again. More about it later.
2. Start by mixing already familiar seed mix with an equal amount of pellets in one bowl. Serve a mix of 50% pellets and 50% seeds for a week. If you notice that your parrot started nibbling on pellets, gradually increase the proportion of pellets and reduce that of the seed down to 0%. This conversion can take anywhere from a week or two to a couple of months.
3. Crush pellets with a rolling pin into smaller chunks, mix them with your parrot's favourite fresh wet foods, like corn kernels, peas, pomegranate seeds, etc. and serve. The pellet crumbs should get stuck to the wet foods and hopefully the parrot will try them this way and get to enjoy them with time.
4. Soak a tablespoon of pellets in a small amount of warm water or unsweetened apple or orange juice. Serve from a spoon or in a bowl. Remove from the cage in about 2 - 3 hours. Once the parrot starts eating soft moist pellets, just before serving, mix them with a few dry pellets. If the parrot is picking out only moist soft pellets leaving dry ones behind, pulverise dry pellets in a coffee grinder and mix dry crumbs into moist mixture. Continue offering a mix of moist and dry pellets until your parrot starts eating the dry pellets well. Then gradually eliminate the moist pellets replacing them with the dry ones.
5. Eat the pellets in front of your parrot. As weird as it sounds, this is something which might just work. Your bird doesn't recognise pellets as a food straightaway, especially if he/she never saw them before. You should be the one who will show him/her that pellets is a type of food and a tasty one too (yes, you will have to act it out here, but it is worth it!).
6. If no other method works after a month or so, try offering a different brand of pellets. Different brands have different textures, flavours and colour variations, even if they don't contain any artificial dyes, which might just be more attractive to your bird, than the brand tried before.
No matter which method you choose have patience and stick with it for at least a few weeks. If you see that it is not working at all even after a couple of weeks then move on to another method.
Below you will find a list of recommended pellets and what to expect when you open a bag of pellets (African Grey/Amazon parrot size):

Harrison's lifetime coarse

Hard square shapes of brown-grey colour. They don't really have any smell or taste and are quite bland, therefore not very eagerly accepted by the majority of parrots.

Ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Ground Hulless Barley, Ground Soybeans, Ground Shelled Peanuts, Ground Shelled Sunflower Seeds, Ground Lentils, Ground Green Peas, Ground Rice, Ground Toasted Oat Groats, Sun Dried Alfalfa, Calcium Carbonate, Psyllium, Montmorillonite Clay, Spirulina, Ground Dried Sea Kelp, Vitamin E Supplement, Sea Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, d-Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite. CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT
Benefits: All organic ingredients, no artificial colours or preservatives.

Hagen

Round granules of brown and green-ish colour with a pleasant bubble gum type of smell (from banana and orange oil, no artificial flavourings are added). These granules are much smaller than Harrison's so easier to eat for slightly smaller parrots, like Timneh Greys for example. They are quite hard too.

Ingredients: Fruits - Orange oil, banana oil (for flavour) - Seeds - Corn, wheat, rice, sunflower kernal, flaxseed, oat groats - Vegetables - Tomato - Legumes - Soybean, peanut kernal - Others - Spirulina, rosemary extract, vitamins and minerals.
Benefits: No artificial colours or preservatives, each batch is tested for quality, often well accepted.

Zupreem

An oval-shaped pellet, hard, slightly textured. Zupreem pellets come in different varieties including coloured pellets, which have a strong smell (of fruit if using FruitBlend, or veggies if using AvianEntrees).

Ingredients (for Zupreem Avian Maintenance): Ground corn, soybean meal, cracked wheat, wheat germ meal, vegetable oil, sucrose, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iodized salt, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, ascorbic acid, natural and artificial colors, artificial flavors, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, vitamin a supplement, vitamin e supplement, vitamin d3 supplement, vitamin b12, thiamine, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, folic acid, biotin.
Benefits: no artificial colours or preservatives, generally well-accepted.

Totally Organic Pellets

These look like elongated green sticks, smell and taste of herbs and of a softer, crumblier texture than the pellets mentioned above. Made of entirely natural ingredients with no artificial colours, preservatives or even synthetic vitamins/minerals added. The only drawback is that they don't contain vitamin D, so if the bird does not go outside for a regular dose of sunlight, then it is best to mix them with any other brand of pellets.

Ingredients: rice, barley, sunflower seeds hulled, alfalfa leaf, sesame seeds unhulled, amaranth whole, quinoa whole, buckwheat hulled, millet hulled, dandelion leaf powder, carrot powder, spinach leaf powder, purple dulse, rose hips powder, rose hips crushed, orange peel powder, lemon peel powder, rosemary whole leaf, cayenne ground, crushed red chili peppers, wheat grass powder, barley grass powder.
Benefits: all natural, no artificial colours, preservatives, salts or sugar. Don't contain soya, peanuts or corn which can cause sensitivity issues and allergies, especially in eclectus parrots.

Roudybush

Elongated, brownish sticks, soft and crumbly without any special smell.

Ingredients: ground corn, ground wheat, peanut meal, soy oil, soy meal, calcium carbonate, sodium lignin sulfonate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, L-Lysine hydrochloride, DL-Methionine, Yeast Cell Wall Extract, Niacin, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Silicon Dioxide, Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Yucca Shidigen extract, Biotin, Calcium Panthothenate, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Sodium Selenite, Propionic Acid, Ammonioum Hydroxide, Acetic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Tartaric Acid, and natural apple flavouring.
Benefits: no artificial colours or preservatives, softer texture, well-accepted and well-researched pellet.
All the above mentioned pellet brands laid out together for comparison:

Left to Right: Totally Organics, Zupreem Fruity, Zupreem Natural, Harrisons (top), Hagen (bottom), Roudybush
There is no need to stick with just one brand of pellets. You can mix a few different types for variety, or feed one brand for a couple of months and then gradually switch to another brand. If your bird will eat only one certain brand then just stick with it. You can get a different brand of pellet and bake a loaf of birdie bread with it for variety.
The brands I do NOT recommend:
Pretty Bird. Contains BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene), a preservative which has almost been eliminated from human foods industry and is believed to increase the risk of cancer and can produce hyperactivity in children.
Kaytee pellets and hand-feeding formulas contain Ethoxyquin, a commonly used preservative in pet foods which is believed to cause a range of health problem, including liver damage.

Juicing For Parrots

2010-08-26T19:36:00.000+01:00

Many parrot owners struggle to get their parrots to eat healthy vegetables and leafy greens. There are a few ways of offering this type of food - all sorts of vegetables and greens can be cut up and hung up on skewers, chopped up in large chunks and served in bowls, minced into sunflower seed size pieces, stuffed into foraging toys or turned into foraging toys, clipped to the cage bars or to the playstand.
There is another way to get your parrot to benefit from all sorts of seasonal vegetables, greens, fruit and berries - by offering him or her delicious juice! It can be given from a spoon or diluted with a little bit of water and given in a regular water bowl for a couple of hours each day. It has to be removed in about two hours (or less in hotter climates) before bacteria starts to grow rapidly.

graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The juice made of a variety of vegetables will offer a nutrient-dense cocktail full of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. The pulp left after juicing can be also fed to your birds or added to a batch of birdie bread.
It is best to juice vegetables and fruit whole where possible without peeling, because the skin contains a high concentration of the beneficial compounds. For this reason, it is best to choose organic produce whenever possible.
Some of the vegetables which can be used for juicing include celery, cucumber, carrot, broccoli, beetroot, etc.
Greens and herbs: kale, chard, spinach, cavolo nero, cabbage, dandelion leaves, wheatgrass, barley grass, parsley, coriander, thyme etc.
Fruit: oranges (no peel), clementines (no peel), mandarins (no peel), satsumas (no peel), lemons (no peel), apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, ripe mangoes, pomegranates, etc.

graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Berries: blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries, cranberries, etc.
For more info and some great recipes visit the website of Dr. Dave Mccluggage, a holistic veterinarian and an expert in avian medicine.
There is a wide variety of books available on juicing with a variety of recipes, suitable for both humans and parrots alike (just watch out for the suitability of the suggested in books produce for parrots!).
Suggested read:
Juice Lady's Guide to Juicing for Health: Unleashing The Healing Power of Whole Fruits and Vegetables by Cherie Calbom
The Big Book Of Juices and Smoothies: 365 Blends for Health and Vitality Every Day by Natalie Savona
New Pyramid Miracle Juices: Over 40 Juices for a Healthy Life by Charmaine Yabsley and Amanda Cross