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View Full Version : ~~Home Cooked Bird Foods From Scratch~~



Turquoise
01-26-2014, 01:02 PM
Thought I'd start a thread where we can add recipes for our birds. These can be recipes you have created from trial and error, recipes you have tweaked a bit with your own touch, recipes you find in books/magazines or online. Please give credit to the author of such recipes you find in books or online if it is known.

Everyone please join in and add your favorite, your bird's favorite or special recipe as well. If you see a good recipe please feel free to add it here for others looking for new ideas to try. Your special touch to an old favorite recipe may just be the key to getting someone's problem child eater to become a food-aholic. :pinkgrin:

I'm going to start this thread off by adding a few recipes from a 'bird cookbook/guide to healthy living' I have called: The Healthy Bird Cookbook by Robin Deutsch. I must admit I do not know if any of these recipes are a hit with my birds as I have only taken ideas from the recipes in this book, but have not actually made any of them exactly like it is written. One of the reasons I wanted to start this thread is to give ya'll ideas you can add to your own recipes that can change the flavor up a little and may be a big hit with your birds. And for first time owners who are needing to know what they can use for home cooked birdie meals.

This first one will be a breakfast meal from The Healthy Bird Cookbook, by Robin Deutsch

Polly Biscuits
1 cup uncooked oatmeal............................1 tsp. low-sodium vegetable bouillon
3/4 cup powdered milk..................................1 egg, beaten, with shell (washed)
1/3 cup butter............................................ ..1 1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup cornmeal.......................................... 3 1/2 cups multigrain flour

In a large bowl, pour hot water over the oatmeal, butter and bouillon. Let stand about 5 minutes. Stir in the powdered milk, cornmeal, and the egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Kneed 5-7 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Roll out on a floured board to 1/2-inch thickness and cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Bake for about 35-50 minutes. Allow to cool and place on wire rack to totally dry before storing. This makes about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs.

This one is in the Pasta and Pizzas section from The Healthy Bird Cookbook, by Robin Deutsch

For small to medium sized birds use Millet. For large birds chopped sunflowers or nut meats such as pistachio, pecan, almond etc. can be used. Personally any brand of pellets you use for your birds would work. The recipe had Kaytee Pellets as its choice.

Millet Mac and Cheese

1 box any brand macaroni and cheese.........................1/4 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup Kaytee pellets........................................... ....1/4 cups chopped broccoli
1/2 cup millet

Make the macaroni and cheese according to the instructions on the box. Add in the pellets and the grated carrots and broccoli. Sprinkle the millet on top, lightly pushing it into the macaroni with the back of a spoon.

The book adds that cauliflower or asparagus can be used in place of the broccoli. I think any veggie your bird likes better can be substituted for the ones in the recipe. This is a very simple recipe that sounds like any bird could learn to like. Again, I have not made or used either recipe. So use your own judgment as to whether this is something your bird might like and eat. I do wonder about some of the ingredients this author uses in her recipes, but she is known for her books on parrots and has owned birds for many years.

spiritbird
01-26-2014, 02:01 PM
Nice idea for a thread. Thank you. Looking forward to reading more ideas.

Honesty
01-26-2014, 02:12 PM
Great idea De'Andrea :) I will write mine here later!

Honesty
01-26-2014, 02:38 PM
Honey Seed Treats for Parrots

2 cups crushed Cheerios
2 cup crushed pellets (Alternately use dried fruit etc.)
1 cup mixed bird seeds
1-1/4 cups honey (adjust for consistency)
1 mashed banana

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the honey, stirring until mixture is wet, but not dripping. Spread out onto a baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees for about 45 minutes. Halfway through baking, score with a knife, when done, cut into pieces and store in container.




Banana/Pineapple Bran Bread

1 1/2 cup mashed banana * 1/2 cup plain yogurt * 1 cup crushed canned pineapple with juice OR 3/4 cup fresh pineapple and 1/4 cup pineapple or orange juice * 1 beaten egg * 1 1/2 cup bran * 2 1/2 cup wholewheat flour * 1 tsp. baking powder * 1 cup chopped walnuts (or other nuts) * 1/2 cup raisins * 1/2 cup flaked coconut


Mash banana with fork then add yogurt, beaten egg and pineapple. Mix well.

Add dry ingredients.

Add walnuts, raisins and coconut.

Consistency should be slightly wetter than bread dough. Add wet or dry ingredients if need be for consistency.

Grease an 8 X 11 pan with canola oil and bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes.

Turquoise
01-27-2014, 02:13 AM
Wendy, those sound delicious! Especially the Banana/Pineapple Bread. It sounds good enough for us wingless humans to eat. LOL Thank you Wendy for sharing these with us. I hope some of these recipes will be a big hit with some of our members' birds who don't like to eat regular parrot foods.

Will have to try them for my flock next time I cook for them again. :) Thank you Dianne and don't be shy. If you have any recipes you would like to share, by all means do add them here.

Maddy
01-27-2014, 05:34 AM
I love this thread idea! I think my birds would really like the millet mac and cheese!

Lady
09-24-2014, 09:03 PM
I am having a tough time baking, as I don't have enough space in my kitchen to roll out the dough. I hope I can find some ways to use something already pre-made and good for them as far as the dough part. It would be easier than getting a islander to add to my kitchen :).

Macaw Lover
09-25-2014, 02:22 AM
Avian Organics has some really great foods and nothing bad is added that should not be given to birds such as preservatives and everything is healthy. You can add in fresh fruits and veggies too.

Doris, the owner, fractured her arm a few weeks ago and shut the business down while it is healing and it should be back up I would think soon. They did open the stainless steel toy store already and you might be interested in the toys too. Get yourself added to her Newsletter so you know about any sales/specials she offers.

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Lady
09-25-2014, 04:11 AM
Thanks Renee' I'm going to check it out right now :smiley-bird-emotico.

Macaw Lover
09-25-2014, 03:23 PM
You're quite welcome. Variety is always a nice spice in life and if we can provide anything different I know our little babies appreciate it.

froggij
10-08-2014, 03:41 AM
These recipes sound so delicious, some of them not just for birds. We may end up sharing some banana bread in my household before the week is out...

Lady
10-08-2014, 05:18 PM
Just to let you all know Avian Organics is back online and open :).