Birdie bread help

[llcornell]

I just bought birdie bread and it calls for corn oil. Does anyone know if I can substitute with a different oil? Like olive or vegetable? Thank you.

[chapala]

yes, olive oil or canola oil would both be fine. What kind of bird bread mix did you buy?
Reta

[llcornell]

Thank you! I bought Momma Birds original.

[SweetPeasMom]

yes, I always use olive oil. I always add extra veggies too.

[chapala]

That looks like a good product, I wasn't familiar with it.
Reta

[lily]

I would not use canola oil because I have read that the seed is poisonous to birds over time. Personally, I would use olive oil.

[chapala]

I would not use canola oil because I have read that the seed is poisonous to birds over time. Personally, I would use olive oil.

I know there are is at least one site that says canola seed and oil has toxic properties. However, MANY parrot seed mixes contain canola seed - Sleek & Sassy, Volkman's, Goldenfeast (all of which I have heard are good companies), and many others. I mix my own grains and seeds, so don't buy any packaged seed/grain products, and I don't know for sure about any toxicity of canola oil.

We need to remember also that some foods contain toxins, though they may be mild. Some legumes contain toxins and must be soaked overnight and cooked before using (though even then, they are not as digestible as the following legumes), and the legumes we can sprout for birds (mung, lentil, adzuki, whole pea and garbanzo only) also need to be soaked overnight and fully sprouted to 1/2" tails, or soaked and cooked. The very nutritious grain Amaranth (high in protein) contains a toxin in the dry state, but not sprouted or cooked. So we need to know exactly what is the toxic issue with canola (modified rape seed), and is it contained in the oil. I would like to see information presented by more than one person whenever I research something. If you have some information and sites, please do share it.
Reta
Co Moderator

[unpoquito]

My parrotlet turned her beak up at my birdie bread. My husband wondered what yummy thing i cooked for him. LOL

What kinds of beans and sprouts do you give your birds and how exactly do you prepare them? Do you ever give cooked beans?

[pam311]

My fids didnt care for the birdie bread either...my whippett loved it! I sprout every other day a mixture of wheat berries, flax seed, raw sunflower seeds, millett and split peas. I have used Volksman soak and simmer blemd but they didnt care much for it either.

I use a Mason Jar with a plastic screen insert for air flow and drainage. I soak seed in ROI (reverse osmosis water, hubby has for his reef tanks) overnight, rinse in the am, again at noon and in evening. I shake jar at each rinse to dislodge any hulls and allow to drain well. in 1- 2 day you will see a 1/2 -1 in tail. I wash again drain and place in refridgerator and feed. I dont keep over 2 days and I smell them every day. If they smell sour I toss and start over.
Hope this helps. I buy my "seed mix" from the health food store to ensure organic human grade products.

[chapala]

I separately sprout a grain/seed mix and a legume mix. The legumes must be sprouted until they have a 1/2" tail. Grains can be fed anytime after overnight soaking, up to their nutritional peak of sprouting just when the white root begins to show - about 36 hours past the soaking time.

Only certain legumes can be sprouted - others contain toxins and/or are poorly digested. Mung, adzuki, lentil, whole pea, garbanzo. That's it for a legume sprouting mix.

I soak either mix overnight in a small cup or bowl (rinsing in a strainer first, then dumping in the cup and covering with enough water so they'll still be covered in the morning after absorbing water all night). Then pour out the grains or legumes into a strainer, rinse well, set the strainer over the empty cup or bowl. Part of the grains can be fed that a.m. and the rest can continue sprouting. I like the strainer method because there is very good air circulation. I have heard rave reviews too about the Easy Sprouter.

The sprouts must be rinsed several times a day (3 or 4). When they are to the right stage, let them dry off so they are not completely dry, but not at all wet or dripping. Then, they store well in a covered container in the frig for several days. So, you only need to sprout about once every three days!

It's quite easy once you make the mixes up - I make enough for two months or so.

Yes, legumes can be soaked overnight, then cooked (boil 10 minutes, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes). I recommend the same legumes as for sprouting because of their digestibility. Grains can be cooked also. We aim for two parts grains to one part legumes to create complete protein.

Okay, enough for now!
Reta

I soak

[unpoquito]

Thank you, Reta, for sharing this info!

[Sylvie]

I also make homemade birdie bread. My avian vet told me not to use any type of oil since it is very fattening. He suggested apple sauce instead. I use it in my birdie bread and my parrotlet loves it.

[Sally]

Chipper is NUTS about the cookies I make for her. Oatmeal, pellets, seeds, Goldenfeast and whatever I add. I also make cookies with banana, sweet potato and apples or applesauce. I cook treats for my doggie. I cook alot of her food too. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/Biridiebreadhomemade.jpg

[raiven]

Aw, that's a cute pic of Chipper showing her little tongue. :)

[llcornell]

Thanks for all the tips. Pablo hates the bread, he wont touch it. Im still trying it everyday because I have so much of it. But I put some outside for the wild birds and they didnt eat it either? Ill keep trying. Im going to buy Harrisons brand and see if he likes that better.

[llcornell]

He ate the bread this morning :) yay!!! Ive been putting it in everyday and today he ate it all of it. Boy these little birds are stubborn. I had given up on him ever trying it but I had so much of I figured I would put it in til I ran out. Im happy to have another food on the eat list :D