The Macaw Dreams Foraging Mix is very unique, it's not sold in bird stores or magazines. This is a special mix you make yourself and specifically tailor to your own bird. Because the Macaw Dreams Foraging Mix is always changing, your bird will never get bored with it. But, what really separates the Macaw Dreams Foraging mix from regular dry bird food is the fact that this mix is specifically designed for foraging, not just eating.
The Ingredients
The Macaw Dreams Foraging Mix is
filled with organic, natural ingredients.There are basically two parts to the mix. Part one, the "Diet" and part two, the "Essence." We start with your bird's favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits and vegetables. Next we mix in the bulk and most important part of the mix, the Essence. The Essence is made up of all natural fully edible foraging ingredients.
Organic sugar free, very low sodium or salt free cereals:
This part of the mix helps to provide your bird with his daily nutritional requirements of dried nuts, seeds, veggies and fruit. If you normally feed pellets (hopefully natural and organic only) include them here.
Since Macaws require a diet higher in fat, the nuts in our mix provide great nutritional value. Here is a basic list of the Diet which will get you started.
Before making your Macaw Dreams Foraging mix, please be certain to read the message below for important dietary information and F A Q' S.
Organic ,raw, salt free whole nuts
pistachios, almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazel, brazil, pine, soy, pecans. (Use in shell nuts, only when in season).
Organic, raw salt free seeds: Flax, Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower.
Part Two: The Essence
A great deal of time and thought was given to the texture, size, shape and color of the Essence as well as taste and nutritional value. I explored various wooded and tropical areas in an effort to "feel" parts of nature and then bring them to our Essence. Most birds find the Essence amusing. Our birds play with it, chew on it and sometimes eat bits of it. I recommend changing the Essence each time you make a new batch of the mix to keep your bird guessing! As with the Diet, the possibilities here are virtually endless but this too will help get you started.
Cinnamon Sticks This natural tree bark, from the Cinnamon tree, is a perfect representation of peeling tree trunks.
Whole Shredded Wheat
Offers the feel of dense leaves, foliage and outer shells of certain wild nuts.
Long Fiber Cereal
Has a similar texture and feel of branches with a similar "snap" of twigs.
Dried Peppers
For the various pods and flowers in nature.
Organic Herbs
Fresh or Dry they feel and smell exactly like leaves on trees.
Vegetable chips These salt free, baked chips add color and texture.
Oat, Corn or Bran Flakes
Feel and even smell very much like the woods and trees.
Organic Corn Husks
Texture is like the husks that cover the outside of the shells of many whole nuts.
Blue Tortilla Chips Baked chips add color and depth without extra salt or sugars.
Mix Diet and Essence
Use a large bowl or bag to mix the Diet and Essence together. Store in 'frig or freeze for extra freshness.
Q. I noticed that you really stress all organic ingredients but does it matter since the Essence isn't going to be eaten?
A. My birds do eat some of the Essence so I'm very careful about the ingredients. The organic cereals are so basic, even buying organic isn't expensive. For example, 100% whole wheat cereal is a lot cheaper than say regular sugared shredded wheat. You don't have to use all organic products but just watch the amount of sugar in the cereals you do buy.
Q. Can I toss in some of the dry seed mixes I buy in the bird store as part of the Essence or Diet?
A. I have great reservations regarding the prepackaged dry mixes sold in pet shops. I question the quality and age of the products. Most are filled with cheap canary and sunflower seed or peanuts. In-shell nuts are a seasonal food and I would never buy them year round from any store, especially pet stores. Some of those nuts, such as peanuts, may harbor mold. Pistachios, by the way, are always in season so you can buy them in-shell, year-round.
Q. How much of the mix do you make at one time and what do you mix it in and store it?
A. Because of the wide amount of ingredients I buy enough to mix and store for an entire month. I have a huge plastic salad bowl for mixing but a clean large paper bag would work great too. I put the mix in tightly sealed plastic containers and put some batches in the freezer and some in the refrigerator. You don't' have to refrigerate it but I do because I often use fresh herbs.
Q. What's the ratio of Diet and Essence?
A. I have never really measured it but I would guess that I use about 75% of Essence and 25% of Diet. Remember, they are only going to eat a small amount of the mix. If you aren't certain of the ratios you can start by first measuring the amount of Diet you want your bird to eat daily and then adding enough Essence to fill their bowls.
Q. Is it really OK to feed this every day and what about feeding it to my other birds?
A. Yes. Macaws require a diet that is higher in fat than most birds so they can enjoy the nuts and seeds. When I am feeding this to my Eclectus I keep the amount of nuts lower and add more Flax seed and herbs.
Q. Don't most birds just scoop out the Essence and dump everything on the floor?
A. Well, I'm sure it could happen. My birds don't like to dump the mix because they realize they may be missing something plus they enjoy foraging.
ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE COMING SOON!!!
BUILD A MACAW DREAMS
FORAGING MIX PLATFORM BOWL FOR YOUR BIRD'S CAGE!!!!!!
