I am often asked what I feed my flock. I doubt my bird's diet is all that different from most healthy avian diets. Our Dream Diet simply provides our birds with an expanded choice of fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, pasta, dark rices, beans, legumes, grains, sprouts, dairy, Macaw Dreams Foraging Mix and some meat and seafood. I avoid junk food, even in small quantities. I also prohibit foods containing preservatives. I feed mostly organic foods whether raw or cooked.
Regardless of how busy I am I make certain my flock has dinner in the house, never alone in the aviary. Dinner time isn't just eating, it's an important part of bonding and socializing.
The Dream Diet
Bird Approved Take-Out
When I do order take-out I also get it for the birds, which forces hubby and me to eat a more nutritious dinner!
Shop around for a healthy restaurant you can always depend on. I like small neighborhood restaurants because I get to know the cooks. I don't hesitate introducing myself and telling them I'm buying dinner for my birds so I need to know whether they are using preservatives such as MSG. I ask questions up front, such as what type of oils do you cook with? How much salt do you use? Most good cooks are happy to help. Now, when I order from my favorite restaurant all I have to say is, "This one is for the kids", they know that means no sauces!
If your bird screams when you're eating, remind yourself how important food is to parrots. In nature our birds eat together and share their food, it's a key part of socialization. If you're eating something you can't share, offer him his own healthy treat.
We are all busy these days but with some good planning, we can still enjoy good healthy dinners with our family & flock!
"Yes, two adult dinners & five birdie dinners to go please!"
Preparing Meals Ahead of Time
It's very important that my flock enjoys a warm dinner every night. Warm food relaxes them and they go to bed with a nice full crop.
Abount once a month I make huge batches of several varities of birdie dinners and freeze them in small bags. Each night I take a different frozen meal out of the freezer and thaw it in the 'frig. The next day I heat it up and they have a healthy dinner in three to four minutes. Planning ahead makes cooking dinner for the birds a breeze!
Samson uses a spoon to eat his warm mash.
Cooking for the Whole Family-Flock
A couple of nights out of the week I find time to cook for the whole family. It's actually a lot of fun and there are many family-flock meals we can all enjoy together. Grilling is a healthy way for all of us to eat and my flock loves to share Salmon, Chicken, vegetables and even grilled hamburgers (well done). I just eliminate the use of salt on their food and jazz it up with extra seasonings such as Cayenne pepper!
"Two Dream burgers, well done, com'n up!"
Eating together is an important part of socialization
Juggling Act
Time seems to be our biggest challenge when it comes to preparing dinner. It's tough juggling work, family, flock, shopping and cooking. On days I don't have the time or the energy to make dinner, I do what any smart wife/birdmommy does, Order Take-Out!
Scarlet, uses her head.
Keep take-out dishes simple. Rice or vegetarian dishes are a good place to start. Our favorite is Chicken or Beef rice bowls. The birds share either a brown rice bowl or
whole wheat noodle bowl topped with grilled chicken breast and a melody of steamed vegetables without sauce or salt added.
