Homemade Bird Treats
My birds are fed a diet of pellets, budgie seeds and fresh fruit and vegetables. I save the sunflower seed and nut component (high value rewards) for training and special treats.
Birds fed a seed only based diet often develop nutritional deficiencies (even if the diet supplied is balanced) as they can pick out the best bits. Imagine someone fed you on vegies and chocolate – which bit would you pick out and eat?
You can find some great information on diet and recommendations at the following websites.
http://www.bbevs.com.au/. Search under the Pet Information section.
http://www.brisbanebirdvet.com.au/. Search under the Bird Care information section.
I like to make homemade Bird Treats for my birds (Budgies, Cockatiel, Lovebird, Quaker and Moustache Parrot).
These should only be fed as a treat not as their main diet. I would not feed these more than 1-2 times per week.
What You Need:
Ingredients
Method
Preheat Oven to 180 degrees Celsius (approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit).
In your mixing bowl add your dry ingredients (1/2 cup oats, 1/2 bird seed, 1/4 cup plain flour).
Optional: Add dried fruit chopped finely - Mix well.
Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix well – the mixture will still seem a little dry.
Add 1/4 cup of honey. Mix well – it should form a dough.
If the mixture is too sticky add more seed/flour a little at a time.
Birds fed a seed only based diet often develop nutritional deficiencies (even if the diet supplied is balanced) as they can pick out the best bits. Imagine someone fed you on vegies and chocolate – which bit would you pick out and eat?
You can find some great information on diet and recommendations at the following websites.
- Brisbane Birds and Exotics
http://www.bbevs.com.au/. Search under the Pet Information section.
- Brisbane Bird Vet
http://www.brisbanebirdvet.com.au/. Search under the Bird Care information section.
I like to make homemade Bird Treats for my birds (Budgies, Cockatiel, Lovebird, Quaker and Moustache Parrot).
These should only be fed as a treat not as their main diet. I would not feed these more than 1-2 times per week.
What You Need:
- Mixing Bowl
- Spoon
- Measuring Cups (1/2 and 1/4)
- Measuring Spoon (Tablespoon)
- Chopstick (optional – used to make holes in treats)
- Lined Baking Tray
- Oven
Ingredients
- Quality bird seed
- Oats
- Plain Flour (I use gluten free)
- Honey
- Water
- Dried fruit chopped finely (optional)
- Chopped Chillies (also optional but most birds love them - they don't feel the heat like us)
Method
Preheat Oven to 180 degrees Celsius (approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit).
In your mixing bowl add your dry ingredients (1/2 cup oats, 1/2 bird seed, 1/4 cup plain flour).
Optional: Add dried fruit chopped finely - Mix well.
Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix well – the mixture will still seem a little dry.
Add 1/4 cup of honey. Mix well – it should form a dough.
If the mixture is too sticky add more seed/flour a little at a time.
Roll the mixture into small balls - I find I have to wash my hands after every 4th ball as they get sticky.
Place balls on a lined baking tray. If you are planning to hang them or use a bird food skewer push holes in the balls now using a chopstick or straw.
Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
Place balls on a lined baking tray. If you are planning to hang them or use a bird food skewer push holes in the balls now using a chopstick or straw.
Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
Remove from oven when firm and starting to brown slightly in colour. Allow to cool.
Once cooled store in an airtight container.
Once cooled store in an airtight container.
Offer them to your bird (remember no more than 1-2 times per week).