Nutritional
Psittacine Diet (Mash Diet)
By
Alicia McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C.
Do it yourself! Preparing a fresh
diet, consisting of wholesome ingredients, need not require a tremendous
amount of time and preparation. In fact, with the "mash" diet, preparation is
done in advance at your convenience. This method of feeding eliminates the
daily slicing and dicing of fruits and vegetables. I make up ten days
worth for nearly twenty pair of birds; which takes about one and a half hours
to complete. (Less time for fewer birds.) Then, serving is as simple as
scooping out the correct amount for each bird or pair.
Have you ever wondered how much of what you were serving your birds was
actually eaten? How many times have you found most of their food thrown about,
picked at, and wasted on the ground or at the bottom of their cages? We all
know birds don't have good manners at meal time and you never really know if
they are getting all of the nutrients necessary for proper health. Well, the
mash diet should help alleviate any doubts as all ingredients are minced
through a food processor with the idea being that your birds cannot select
only a few favorite items, but will receive a wide range of nutrients with
every beakful.
To begin, all ingredients are placed through the food processor briefly (with
the exception of certain foods eaten readily) and then scooped into a 20-quart
stainless steel pot for mixing. Note: Remember to always place cover over the
pot in between adding an ingredient to prevent oxidation from exposure to air.
The mash is then placed in airtight containers and stored in the freezer, but
must be removed to the refrigerator for thawing well in advance (30 to 36
hours for a five-cup container). Scheduled feeding times are at 8:00 am (mash)
and 2:00 PM (seed mixture), simulating the natural eating patterns of birds in
the wild. The 8:00 am feeding provides them with enough to fill their crops
throughout the morning hours. Although each pair is treated individually,
about 1/2 cup per pair is the average (for medium-sized parrots).
As you learn how much each bird or pair will eat in each time period the
amount can be adjusted so that none is wasted. Any uneaten mash should
be discarded after four to six hours to prevent spoilage, which if eaten,
could cause a bacterial infection. Special care should be taken in this
matter, particularly in the warmer months. These frequent feeding times
will also allow you the opportunity to observe your birds often, which is very
important in keeping you closely in tune to their overall health. Feeding
times may vary and are adjusted to your schedule; these are guidelines
only.
MASH
INGREDIENTS: (for twenty pair) - Revised Formula (see
Original
Formula)
Frozen organic vegetables - (corn, green beans, carrots, peas) 12 lb.
Fresh organic vegetables - 1 lb. parsley, 5 large tomatoes, 3 chayote,
3 medium sweet potatoes or yams, 4 medium white potatoes (fed raw, skins
included).
Bean mix - (1/2 cup each of the following beans and peas) black- eyed
peas, pinto beans, kidney beans, adzuki beans, green and yellow split peas,
garbanzo beans, black beans, soy beans, mung beans. (Soak beans for 24 hours
in the refrigerator).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There are 3 ways to serve beans/grains (my suggestions are as follows):
1.soaked for 24 hours in the fridge
2.cooked for 10 minutes, then simmered 20 minutes
3.sprouted (no more than 1/4 inch)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grains - (1/2 cup each, added to beans and soak for 24 hours) wheat
berry, pearl barley, triticale or rye berry, brown rice
Organic greens - (fresh grown) comfrey and/or mustard greens. Comfrey,
(an herb) which provides vitamin A, B-complex, C, & E; one of the few plants
known to contain vitamin B-12, normally found only in animal protein foods. Up
to 33% protein is contained in the leaves and it is high in minerals. Mustard
greens are high in vitamins A, B, C, calcium and iron. Frilly-leafed and broad
leafed are available. (About 1 dozen large leaves are used)
Organic Fruit - 5 large bananas, 5 large apples, 1 1/2 lbs. of grapes
fed whole, (1/4 cup strawberries or cranberries seasonally)
Seeds - (1/4 cup each) pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, both provide
calcium along with zinc, which aids in fertility. Sesame seeds also provide an
additional source of 8 "essential" amino acids, which cannot be manufactured
by a parrot's body.
Nutritional supplements - 1/4 cup powdered kelp (contains iodine,
therefore helps to prevent thyroid disorders, such as goiter), 1/4 cup blue
green algae or alfalfa powder (aids in digestion, strengthens immune system,
and is nutrient-dense).
MASH
INGREDIENTS: (for twenty pair) - Original Formula (see
Revised
Formula)
Frozen organic vegetables - (corn, green beans, carrots, peas) 12 lb.
Fresh organic vegetables - 1 lb. parsley, 5 large tomatoes, 3 chayote
(fed raw), 3 medium sweet potatoes or yams, 4 medium white potatoes (fed
lightly steamed, skins included).
Bean mix - (1/2 cup each of the following beans and peas) black-eyed
peas, pinto beans, kidney beans, adzuki beans, green and yellow split peas,
garbanzo beans, black beans, soy beans, mung beans. (Rinse and drain well,
soak in cold water 6 to 8 hours in refrigerator. After soaking they are boiled
for 10 minutes, simmer for 20 minutes, using only enough water so that none is
left after cooking, to preserve valuable vitamins).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: There are 3 ways to serve beans/grains (my suggestions are as
follows):
1.soaked for 24 hours in the fridge
2.cooked for 10 minutes, then simmered 20 minutes
3.sprouted (no more than 1/4 inch)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grains - (1/2 cup each, added to beans, soak, and boil) wheat berry,
pearl barley, triticale, brown rice
Organic greens - (fresh grown) comfrey and/or mustard greens. Comfrey,
(an herb) which provides vitamin A, B-complex, C, & E; one of the few plants
known to contain vitamin B-12, normally found only in animal protein foods. Up
to 33% protein is contained in the leaves and it is high in minerals. Mustard
greens are high in vitamins A, B, C, calcium and iron. Frilly-leafed and broad
leafed are available. (About 1 dozen large leaves are used)
Organic Fruit - 5 large bananas, 5 large apples, 1 1/2 lbs. of grapes
fed whole, (1/4 cup strawberries or cranberries seasonally)
Seeds - (1/4 cup each) pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, both provide
calcium along with zinc, which aids in fertility. Sesame seeds also provide an
additional source of 8 "essential" amino acids, which cannot be manufactured
by a parrot's body.
Nutritional supplements - 1/4 cup powdered kelp (contains iodine,
therefore helps to prevent thyroid disorders, such as goiter), 1/4 cup blue
green algae or alfalfa powder (aids in digestion, strengthens immune system,
and is nutrient-dense).
|
Mash Formula Breakdown --
10 days worth! |
|
Ingredients |
For
1 Medium sized parrot |
For 10 Pair |
For
20 Pair |
|
Frozen
Organic Vegetables |
1/3 pound |
6 pounds |
12 pounds |
|
Fresh Organic Vegetables |
|
|
|
|
parsley |
1/2 ounce |
1/2 pound |
1 pound |
|
large
tomatoes |
1/8 large tomato |
2.5 |
5 |
|
chayote |
1/2 ounce |
1.5 |
3 |
|
medium
sweet potatoes/yams |
3/4 ounce |
1.3 |
3 |
|
medium
white potatoes |
3/4 ounce |
2 |
4 |
|
Bean Mix |
|
|
|
|
black-eyed peas |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
pinto
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
kidney
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
adzuki
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
green
split peas |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
yellow
split peas |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
garbanzo beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
black
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
soy
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
mung
beans |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
Grains |
|
|
|
|
wheat
berry |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
pearl
barley |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
triticale |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
brown
rice |
1/2 teaspoon |
1/4 cup |
1/2 cup |
|
Organic Greens |
|
|
|
|
comfrey and/or mustard greens |
1/3 large leaf |
6 large leaves |
12 large leaves |
|
Organic Fruit |
|
|
|
|
large
bananas |
1/8 banana |
2 1/2 |
5 |
|
large
apples |
1/8 apple |
2 1/2 |
5 |
|
whole
grapes |
1/2 ounce |
3/4 pound |
1.5 pounds |
|
strawberries or cranberries seasonally |
1/4 teaspoon |
2 tablespoons |
1/4 cup |
|
Seeds |
|
|
|
|
pumpkin seeds |
1/4 teaspoon |
2 tablespoons |
1/4 cup |
|
sesame
seeds |
1/4 teaspoon |
2 tablespoons |
1/4 cup |
|
Nutritional Supplements |
|
|
|
|
powdered kelp |
1/4 teaspoon |
2 tablespoons |
1/4 cup |
|
blue
green algae or alfalfa powder |
1/4 teaspoon |
2 tablespoons |
1/4 cup |
This recipe and others
are available in Dr. Alicia's Book - "A Guide To A Naturally Healthy Bird"
The recipe above can be used as a
guide for a healthy diet. You may substitute an item for another equivalent
food item; for instance, if a particular one is seasonally unavailable.
Examples: Collard or dandelion greens in place of comfrey or zucchini in place
of chayote. In addition to the mash diet, orange chunks, celery sticks, and
almonds are served regularly as well. Also, occasionally served is mashed
hard-boiled egg with shell included (boiled 20 minutes), whole grain wheat
bread, and a natural cornbread, which are always eagerly consumed.
Supplements: An aged
garlic extract can be sprinkled over the mash daily for its benefits in aiding
digestion, stimulating the immune system, and keeping your birds resistant to
infection and disease. I use apple cider vinegar (ACV) over the mash using a
plastic squirt bottle; 1/2 tsp. for medium to large size birds, 1/4 tsp. for
smaller species. ACV is an immunity enhancer; its natural antibiotic action
protects your birds from infections. It is rich in enzymes, potassium, and
other important minerals, and aids in digestion and the assimilation of food.
An organic non-distilled brand is recommended.
The high phosphorus to
calcium ratio in most foods requires an increase in calcium through a quality
supplement. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus, should be 2.5:1, including D3.
Extra calcium is provided daily by the use of a calcium magnesium liquid,
while other species receive it regularly with frequency depending upon age,
activity level, and breeding cycles. Juvenile birds (under 1 year) and pairs
which are aging or less active receive it more often, as are birds prior to
and during egg laying, and while raising young. Remember that birds under
stress (which includes extreme heat or cold) need additional calcium, as well
as an increase in all essential nutrients.
The seeds, nuts, and
grains, which are offered in the afternoon, make-up about 30% of their diet.
Most seeds are beneficial, but you must be sure they come from a quality
source. We purchase our seeds at a health food market. Ideally, some can
be grown in your own environment, if space permits.
Here is the basis of our
raw organic seed mixture:
80%
hulled millet
5%
hulled sunflower
5%
shelled peanuts (a legume)
5%
rolled oats
5%
buckwheat (a fruit)
The most important nutritive elements
of seeds are the B-complex vitamins, vitamins A and E, unsaturated fatty
acids, protein, phosphorous, and calcium. For example, pumpkin seeds, sesame
seeds, and sunflower seeds are high in protein, plus all of the above vitamins
as well as magnesium, zinc, iodine, and potassium. The value of seeds, nuts,
and grains along with beans and peas are unsurpassed, especially in the
sprouted form. Sprouting seeds will increase their total vitamin content and
may be added to the morning mash.
Seeds also have a
positive effect on birds by supplying quick energy, beak stimulation, and are
certainly healthful in rationed amounts. Over indulgence of seed, especially
fatty seed, such as sunflower, peanut, etc. may crowd out other essential
foods from the diet and can therefore result in nutritional deficiency as well
as obesity.
Your seed mix should be
stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct light, and in air-tight
containers to prevent rancidity caused by oxidation. Some protection from
rancidity will be provided by vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant, and
present in varying amounts in oil-bearing foods. No more than six weeks worth
should be purchased in advance.