Mashes

[spiritbird]

Do any members here make mashes for Parakeets? Mine kind of peck at it like little chickens but not on a regular basis. They both do not eat any fruit either.

[keepsmiling]

I have made mashes, but mine did not like it either. Cochise was the only one who picked at it a little. Then I started incorporating the cooked carrot and sweet potato into my birdy bread, which they love. Mine won't touch beans either, so that is out. There are some mashes you can buy, like the cream of tweat, and so forth. I think they smell awful, and again they wouldn't touch it. Have you tried sprouting seeds? The sprouts are packed with protein, unlike the same seed in it's original form.

[keepsmiling]

I have found sometimes with birds, it's all in the presentation. While they might not pick at an apple cut up for example, they might pick at the same apple if it is skewered or clipped to the side of the cage. Gryphon is funny this way. I can shove a romaine leaf or piece of apple through the cage bars, even a pear or carrot. If in a bowl or dish those same foods get ignored. Picky picky picky...:th_LOL:

[JerseyBella]

I make a mash for my budgie Bubbles. The latest I've tried is one from White Wings Farm. He loves it as do everybirdie else, except the greys. They are still giving it the stink eye.

[spiritbird]

The only mash they have picked at (on video) is one I made with cooked and mashed carrots and grains. They make more of a mess with it than the big birds! I have tried skewering food like apples but no results with that. I hang the greens in a clip and Chipper taught Gypsy that is is something to eat. Please tell me more about the mash from White Wings Farm as I make my own.

[JerseyBella]

The only mash they have picked at (on video) is one I made with cooked and mashed carrots and grains. They make more of a mess with it than the big birds! I have tried skewering food like apples but no results with that. I hang the greens in a clip and Chipper taught Gypsy that is is something to eat. Please tell me more about the mash from White Wings Farm as I make my own.

It has barley, brown rice, split yellow and green peas. I cook it up and add some chop to it. I've tried making my own. Guess I'm a sucky cook as they won't eat it. LOL!

[rowansilverskye]

Ive fed mash for seven years.Ive done a bit of rescuing,and was able to convert each and every one of my fids to mash,including the Budgies.A few tricks to it:Offer first thing in the morning when they are hungriest.Dont keep food overnight in the cage so they dont get to that and fill up on that first.Offer it with a familiar food(a bit of seed or pellet,for example).Keep offering it without other food choices for a couple hours two times daily.Many times,a bird that is unfamiliar with a new food will simply not recognize the new food as edible,and will need many,many repetitions and patience.Offer it in very tiny portions.Birds that get only a small amount will be more apt to try whats on offer,rather than a larger amount.My Budgies are fed mash first thing with a few pellets on the plate,then I put in a Pellet dish for the day.They get a p.m feed of mash again,and then a few nutri-berries for afterwards,or small amounts of seed.

[spiritbird]

Thanks Denise for your most valuable suggestions.