Jack's Mix

[jacksmom]

Beans/Grains -
White Northern Beans
Kamut
Chickpeas
Whole wheat pasta spirals

Fruit/Veggies -
Peas
Green Beans
Carrots
Kale
White or Sweet Potato
Broccoli
Apples
Pears
Cantaloupe
Banana

Seeds/Nuts-
Peanuts
Almonds
Pecans

Not really sure if every one of these things are in the mix this time...I tend to mix it up, and just make sure I have a variety from each category from Fruit and Veggie - using any safe fruit/veg list for parrots. The beans and grains list stays pretty much the same, and for the seeds and nuts, I usually put either peanuts or almonds, and buy almond slivers, or chop them up. This is because we offer him seeds and nuts in a separate cup, (very regulated, and we don't worry if he misses a few days) or as treats. No more than 10% of a parrot's diet should be seeds and nuts. ;)

Basically, in the end, I make sure the ratio goes -

40% beans and grains
25% fruit
30% veggies
5% seeds/nuts

I mix all this in a huge plastic Rubbermaid, then portion it all into plastic baggies. Take out a baggie every few days - microwave the twice daily portion for spoiled fids like mine. ;) I should also mention that we buy either all organic, or make sure that the item falls on the bottom half of the list for that year's Shopper's Guide to produce.

Look around for friends with fruit trees (that don't use pesticides), pecan trees, so on. They usually don't mind donating! The veggies I usually buy frozen, if organic or falling on the right end of the Shopper's Guide. Believe it or not, this is a SUPER cheap way to feed your bird, and also the healthiest...short of cooking and chopping all this up fresh every single day. (Who has time for that?) We make a four or five months supply for around $60 or so! :)

Well, I better go serve breakfast...or I will be hearing his displeasure in about a half hour or so! :rolleyes:

[kendrafitz]

Wow!! Thank you!!!! I am going to have to give it a try for the diva. :)

[jacksmom]

I will update with the new mix when I make it...looks like we are few weeks from out. About time soon! :)

[Pinkbirdy]

How does the fruit do after freezing it . I find Im making mine every 2 days.

[jacksmom]

Well...honestly it turns sort of brown and mushy. He doesn't seem to care, though. I forgot to mention, I soak the "mushiest" ones, like banana, in lemon juice to help. Also, I always put in a couple oranges for citrus. :)

[2birds]

Jacksmom, thanks for the ideas. I am seeing that I can add a few things to what I do. I think that I just have to get a program down that works so it is easier on me without compromising my birds diet and health.

[jacksmom]

I made that same decision...well, I KNOW fresh every day is better. I just don't have time for that, so here is my "next best thing"! ;) This was made especially for a macaw, with smaller birds there are so many more grain options! :)