Recipes For Your Birds

Soak and Cook

This is becoming more available in pet stores. There’s even a fifteen bean mix. You can get most of these ingredients at a health food store, feed store, or at a pet food warehouse.

1/2 cup Soy Beans
1/4 cup Whole Green Peas
1/2 cup Paddy Rice
1/4 cup Small Beans
1/4 cup Popcorn (unpopped)

Put all the ingredients in a pan and cover with cold water. Soak for 8 – 12 hours. Drain and cover with hot water, then cook for 1 hour or so, until tender. Drain, rinse, and let cool. Cook longer adding more water when used for smaller birds. This can be frozen in a single serving package for use later on.

Cornbread Deluxe

1 large box of cornbread muffin mix (enough for a 9 x 13 pan). Canned pumpkin, cranberries, mixed vegetables, blueberries or nuts. Whatever you bird loves can be added. You can add more than one item. Mix cornbread according to instructions, stirring in whatever ingredient(s) you choose. Bake according to the instructions. When done, cut into small squares. This freezes well.

Birdie Party Mix

Amounts can vary according to what you have in the house.

Wheat Chex
Rice Chex
Corn Chex
Cheerios
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
Honey Nut Cheerios
Kix
Berry Kix
Shredded Wheat
Corn Puffs
Peanuts (no shells – unsalted)
Pretzels (salt free)
Raisins
Dried Mixed Fruit
Goldfish Crackers (low salt)
Popcorn (popped natural)
Chopped Mixed Nuts (no salt)
Millet (spray broken into small pieces)
Pine Nuts (no shells)
Banana Chips
Grape Nuts
Granola
Dried Red Peppers for seasoning
Garlic and/or Onion Powder

Mix these together in whatever portions you want. You can use other cereals, but make sure they are low in sugar. This will keep nicely in an air-tight container. Add or subtract things that your bird either likes or dislikes. This can be served daily in a little treat cup or it can be given on special occasions. You can even sprinkle vitamins, minerals, or other supplements over the mix.

Birdie Pasta

The amounts will vary on whether you want to freeze it or not.

Garden Pasta (3-4 flavors)
Broccoli (chopped)
Zucchini (chopped)
Celery (chopped)
Green Peppers (chopped)
Jar of any variety Spaghetti Sauce
Onion (chopped)
Garlic to taste
1 tsp Parmesan Cheese (grated)

In a pot with boiling water, add pasta and cook until tender. In the microwave put vegetables in a microwave safe container, add a little water and cook for a few minutes. In another pot, open a jar of spaghetti sauce and add the cooked vegetables and garlic. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Drain pasta and add sauce. Sprinkle with the cheese and mix thoroughly. Can freeze in serving sizes.