TODAYS CHOP is a mixture of a variety of soaked seeds from China Prairie, a variety of vegetables 80%,
several kinds of fruit 20%, topped with edible flowers (Nasturtiums pesticide free) and the herb basil
photo by Nancy Forrester
several kinds of fruit 20%, topped with edible flowers (Nasturtiums pesticide free) and the herb basil
photo by Nancy Forrester
YUMMY!
This page of feeding information is for people who have adopted parrots from me or intend to do so in the future. It is to help you understand my parrot's feeding routine and the diet they are used to eating as they continue here at Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden or as they adjust to their new homes.
Go to OUR PARROTS page to learn about each of our individual parrot's food preferences and eating idiosyncrasies!
Go to OUR PARROTS page to learn about each of our individual parrot's food preferences and eating idiosyncrasies!
NUTRITIAN FOR OUR FLOCK HAS IMPROVED OVER THE 30 YEARS.
My philosophy of feeding is based on Dr. Jason Crean's work. He is an avian nutritionist. I am a member of his Facebook group called Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrition It is my hope that you will join this group
Since 2020 our birds have been fed twice a day in the following manner
THEIR FIRST MEAL OF THE DAY "BREAKFAST" IS WET "CHOP" or "MASH"
THEIR LATE AFTERNOON MEAL "DINNER" IS "A MIX OF DRY INGREDIANTS" INCLUDING TOPS PELLETS
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
My philosophy of feeding is based on Dr. Jason Crean's work. He is an avian nutritionist. I am a member of his Facebook group called Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrition It is my hope that you will join this group
Since 2020 our birds have been fed twice a day in the following manner
THEIR FIRST MEAL OF THE DAY "BREAKFAST" IS WET "CHOP" or "MASH"
THEIR LATE AFTERNOON MEAL "DINNER" IS "A MIX OF DRY INGREDIANTS" INCLUDING TOPS PELLETS
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
WHEN EVER POSSIBLE I BUY ORGANIC PRODUCE FOR MYSELF AND THE PARROTS
MY PRACTICE OF BUYING ORGANIC FOOD COMES FROM MY ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
MY KNOWLEGE ON FEEDING COMES FROM LOVING FRIEND KATHIE HAHN ( My Safe Bird Store | Discounted Bird Products | BIRD FREE ENVIRONMENT| Free Shipping Available )
KATHIE INTRODUCED ME TO LARA JOSEPH ( Animal training & education for animal trainers, zookeepers, pet owners (theanimalbehaviorcenter.com) ),
LARA INTRODUCED ME TO DR. JASON CREAN AVIAN NUTRITIONIST ( Welcome | Dr Crean )
It is imperative for me to honor & support Earths Soil, Water & Bio Systems
QUALITY OF FOOD MATTERS.
I feed organic produce to myself and our parrots. I do this eagerly as one of the easiest things I can do to express my gratitude to farmers and stores that practice this from of respect for our Home Planet Earth. The action gives me a small degree of control concerning my health and the health of our living systems. This act is admittedly small like turning off one light bulb. Imagine a world where we all did this. Of greatest importance to me are my environmental choices where I can have a positive effect on Earths future.
I am disappointed to report that when I rehome parrots most people are not willing to do this. I worry that after years of no toxins in their food our parrots will become ill when given non-organic food especially when it comes to non-organic apples, grapes and potatoes. (Three of the most serious offenders' when not grown organically.
MY PRACTICE OF BUYING ORGANIC FOOD COMES FROM MY ENVIRONMENTAL PHILOSOPHY
MY KNOWLEGE ON FEEDING COMES FROM LOVING FRIEND KATHIE HAHN ( My Safe Bird Store | Discounted Bird Products | BIRD FREE ENVIRONMENT| Free Shipping Available )
KATHIE INTRODUCED ME TO LARA JOSEPH ( Animal training & education for animal trainers, zookeepers, pet owners (theanimalbehaviorcenter.com) ),
LARA INTRODUCED ME TO DR. JASON CREAN AVIAN NUTRITIONIST ( Welcome | Dr Crean )
It is imperative for me to honor & support Earths Soil, Water & Bio Systems
QUALITY OF FOOD MATTERS.
I feed organic produce to myself and our parrots. I do this eagerly as one of the easiest things I can do to express my gratitude to farmers and stores that practice this from of respect for our Home Planet Earth. The action gives me a small degree of control concerning my health and the health of our living systems. This act is admittedly small like turning off one light bulb. Imagine a world where we all did this. Of greatest importance to me are my environmental choices where I can have a positive effect on Earths future.
I am disappointed to report that when I rehome parrots most people are not willing to do this. I worry that after years of no toxins in their food our parrots will become ill when given non-organic food especially when it comes to non-organic apples, grapes and potatoes. (Three of the most serious offenders' when not grown organically.
NETWORKING WITHIN THE PARROT COMMUNITY LED ME TO DR. JASON CREAN'S WORK
I had the good fortune of meeting Lara Joseph of the Animal Behavior Center. Because of Lara's friendship and my membership in her Facebook Group The Parrot Project I met DR JASON CREAN a leader in parrot nutrition.
When studying parrot nutrition and other bird and science related topics, I highly recommend Dr. Jason Crean.
DR. CREAN IS AN AVICULTURIST, AVIAN NUTRITIONIST, BIOLOGIST and EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR
Dr. Crean has been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching by President Obama, the High School Science Teacher of the Year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as awards from the National Science Teachers Association, National Association of Biology Teachers, Illinois Science Teachers Association, Golden Apple Foundation, among others.
click here (20+) Dr Jason Crean, Consultant | Facebook
I, (NANCY FORRESTER) HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME MEMBER OF DR JASON CREAN'S FACEBOOK GROUP CALLED AVIAN RAW WHOLE FOOD NUTRITIAN (21.5K members) I highly recommend joining this group. If I have any questions about food safety or nutritional value, I go here. My questions are always answered.
LINK TO DR CREAN'S Facebook group, Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrician
click here (20+) Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrition | Facebook
Statement about the Facebook group by and about Dr. Crean
"This is aviculturist and biologist Jason Crean's private group that deals exclusively with raw whole food nutrition in the feeding of birds. Anyone can be accepted into the group or refused without reason and is purely at the discretion of the group owner. This group was created to accompany the information disseminated by Jason Crean in his lectures to avian groups across the country. The philosophy of the group is simple: feeding an abundance of raw, whole foods is what our birds need to thrive and this is a place for sharing different methods in which to do so. We cannot offer advice on sick birds as this is not a veterinary forum."
DR. CREAN IS AN AVICULTURIST, AVIAN NUTRITIONIST, BIOLOGIST and EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATOR
Dr. Crean has been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching by President Obama, the High School Science Teacher of the Year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as awards from the National Science Teachers Association, National Association of Biology Teachers, Illinois Science Teachers Association, Golden Apple Foundation, among others.
click here (20+) Dr Jason Crean, Consultant | Facebook
I, (NANCY FORRESTER) HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME MEMBER OF DR JASON CREAN'S FACEBOOK GROUP CALLED AVIAN RAW WHOLE FOOD NUTRITIAN (21.5K members) I highly recommend joining this group. If I have any questions about food safety or nutritional value, I go here. My questions are always answered.
LINK TO DR CREAN'S Facebook group, Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrician
click here (20+) Avian Raw Whole Food Nutrition | Facebook
Statement about the Facebook group by and about Dr. Crean
"This is aviculturist and biologist Jason Crean's private group that deals exclusively with raw whole food nutrition in the feeding of birds. Anyone can be accepted into the group or refused without reason and is purely at the discretion of the group owner. This group was created to accompany the information disseminated by Jason Crean in his lectures to avian groups across the country. The philosophy of the group is simple: feeding an abundance of raw, whole foods is what our birds need to thrive and this is a place for sharing different methods in which to do so. We cannot offer advice on sick birds as this is not a veterinary forum."
FEEDING KEY WEST PARROTS AT NANCY FORRESTER'S SECRET GARDEN
HOW OFTEN DO I FEED OUR BIRDS
Twice a day.
Water bowls are refreshed twice daily or more often if needed. Some birds transfer their food to their water bowls to mix with water when ingesting. Their bowls are changed when their water gets cloudy with food particles.
Twice a day.
Water bowls are refreshed twice daily or more often if needed. Some birds transfer their food to their water bowls to mix with water when ingesting. Their bowls are changed when their water gets cloudy with food particles.
WHAT TIME OF DAY DO OUR PARROTS EAT BREAKFAST IS AT 8 AM - SUPPER IS AT 3 PM
8 AM WET FOODS (CHOP) Fresh food mornings. All parrots regardless of species must have fresh whole food daily in the form of vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, soaked seeds and more.
Parrots are hungry first thing in morning after a long night's sleep with no food. Therefore, morning is ideal time to offer the food most necessary to their health that which is most nutritious are the raw whole foods. No processed foods or cooked foods
3 PM A MIX OF DRIED FOODS THAT I CREATE
Parrots should only have dried foods after they have consumed fresh foods earlier in the day.
Dry Feeding (late afternoon/early evening). After I pull what is left of their morning feeding, I offer a dry mix of food to round out their nutrient requirement. This includes Tops pellets (medium size for large birds) dry seeds, grains, freeze dried fruits and vegetables, dried herbs, teas and all varieties of hard nuts in the shell
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
8 AM WET FOODS (CHOP) Fresh food mornings. All parrots regardless of species must have fresh whole food daily in the form of vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, soaked seeds and more.
Parrots are hungry first thing in morning after a long night's sleep with no food. Therefore, morning is ideal time to offer the food most necessary to their health that which is most nutritious are the raw whole foods. No processed foods or cooked foods
3 PM A MIX OF DRIED FOODS THAT I CREATE
Parrots should only have dried foods after they have consumed fresh foods earlier in the day.
Dry Feeding (late afternoon/early evening). After I pull what is left of their morning feeding, I offer a dry mix of food to round out their nutrient requirement. This includes Tops pellets (medium size for large birds) dry seeds, grains, freeze dried fruits and vegetables, dried herbs, teas and all varieties of hard nuts in the shell
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
HOW AND WHAT DO I CHOP
BREAKFAST 8 AM FRESH WET CHOPPED FOOD PREPARATION 80% vegetable, 20% fruit
Every day, I hand chop soft bodied juicy vegetables, leafy greens and fresh fruit because these items do not freeze or store well when chopped. These items are added to my china Prairie presoaked seed mixture and bean mixture and a thawed-out portion of pre chopped root vegetables. I am mindful to include sweet fresh fruit in lesser amounts to the vegetables because birds prefer the high sugar content. I also add fresh herbs, teas and edible flowers to this CHOP when I have them. (NO avocado, NO seeds of apple or pear, NO pits of cherries, apricots, peaches, mangos and plums.
BREAKFAST 8 AM FRESH WET CHOPPED FOOD PREPARATION 80% vegetable, 20% fruit
Every day, I hand chop soft bodied juicy vegetables, leafy greens and fresh fruit because these items do not freeze or store well when chopped. These items are added to my china Prairie presoaked seed mixture and bean mixture and a thawed-out portion of pre chopped root vegetables. I am mindful to include sweet fresh fruit in lesser amounts to the vegetables because birds prefer the high sugar content. I also add fresh herbs, teas and edible flowers to this CHOP when I have them. (NO avocado, NO seeds of apple or pear, NO pits of cherries, apricots, peaches, mangos and plums.
FEEDING A WIDE VARIETY OF SOFT BODIED VEGETABLES IS DESIREABLE
Here are pictures of a some of the soft veggies suitable to include in chop
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Zucchini
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Corn
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Brussel spouts
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Broccoli
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Sugar peas
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Snow peas
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Celery
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Peppers
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Red peppers
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Cucumber
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Yellow squash
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Green peppers
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Caulilower
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Tomatoe
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Green beans
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ROOT VEGETABLES & WINTER SQUASH ARE CHOPPED TO BE FED FRESH OR FROZEN IN PACKETS TO BE THAWED AND ADDED TO THE MORNING MIX
Here are pictures of a few of the hard foods I pre chop and freeze in bags for single day use.
Root vegetables and winter squashes are pre chopped by hand or chipped in a food processor. When making a batch of food to freeze I include at least seven different types of these foods, I freeze this mixture of 7 or so items in plastic bags. Each bag equals part of a single days feeding. These bags remain nourishing for up to 2 months in the freezer. I remove one bag from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator the day before using.
Root vegetables and winter squashes are pre chopped by hand or chipped in a food processor. When making a batch of food to freeze I include at least seven different types of these foods, I freeze this mixture of 7 or so items in plastic bags. Each bag equals part of a single days feeding. These bags remain nourishing for up to 2 months in the freezer. I remove one bag from the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator the day before using.
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Carrot
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Red beet
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Turnip
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Parsnip
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Radish
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Rainbow carrots
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Acorn squash
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Butternut squash
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Sweet potatoe
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Hubard squash
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Golden beet
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Yam
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Ginger
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Turmeric
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Daikon radish
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LEAFY GREENS, HERBS, EDIBLE FLOWERS ARE ADDED TO THE CHOP DAILEY
Here are pictures of a few of the soft bodied leafy greens, herbs and flowers I hand chop and add to the CHOP every day.
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Red chard
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Red cabbage
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Bok Choi
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Chinese cabbage
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Cabbage
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Collards
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Curly kale
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Red kale
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Dandelion
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Aloe
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Rainbow chard
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Green chard
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White cabbage
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Nasturtiums
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Hibiscus
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Nasturtiums
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Dill
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Oregano
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Rosmary
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Basil
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Sage
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Watercress
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A WIDE VARIEY OF FRUIT IS OFFERED TO ROTATE IN DAILY CHOP
Here are pictures of the different kinds of soft bodied fruit that I chop by hand and rotate in the chop
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Bananas
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Kiwi
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Blackberries
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Jackfruit
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Breadfruit
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Orange
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Golden berries
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Cherry
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Dragon Fruit
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Apple
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Grapefruit
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Plum
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Peaches
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Pomegranate
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Watermelon
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ABOVE IMAGES ARE AI GENERATED PICTURES OF SOME SAFE INGREDIANTS FOR CREATING WHOLE RAW FOOD CHOP OR MASHCOLLABORATIVE ART BY NANCY AND DALL-E-2
HERE ARE THE STEPS I take every day to create a whole food CHOP or MASH
I SOAKED CHINA PRARIE SEEDS FOR 10 HOURS EVERY THREE DAYS & STORE THEM IN THE FRIDGE
I buy a packaged mix of dried seeds and beans from China Prairie. I add this pre soaked mixture of these seeds and beans to my CHOP every day. I use a soaking vessel from China Prairie to soak. If I fill this vessel 2/3 full it makes enough soaked seeds and beans for three days of feeding. CLICK HERE Avian FRESH Diet Parrot Food-Psittacine™ (Sprouts only): China Prairie Products
CLICK HERE FOR SPROUT VESSEL Easy Sprout™: China Prairie Products
HOW TO SOAK
Step 1 I rinse the dry items in cool clean water.
Step 2 I soak the dried items completely. I submerge the dry items in cool clean water for 10 to 12 hours.
Step 3 During this 10 hour soaking process I drain and rinse the seeds 2 to 3 times daily.
I have the option to spout mix, I do not sprout. Sprouting is a three-day process. I refrigerate these soaked beans and seeds in the soaking vessel. I soak enough for use in three days of chop.
HOW TO MAKE MASH OR CHOP
I use a chopping board, sharp knives and a large bowl in which I combine all the ingredients.
I mix a portion of the 10-hour presoaked seeds and beans together with a thawed package of prechopped hard vegetables,
I add some soft fruit, soft vegetables and soft leafy greens. These soft juicy items are hand cut and added fresh every day.
If the fruit makes the chop too watery I sprinkle oaks to absorb the wetness
My Mash or Chop contains the following.
A portion of 10 hour-soaked seed and bean mix, a package of thawed pre chopped frozen hard veggies thawed the day before
Soft Fruit Vegetables, Leafy greens cut or shredded according to the size of your bird or preferences.
All the soft tissue items are chopped 3o minutes before serving to avoid excess moisture in the mash.
MIX WELL AND FEED. Offer enough that they will consume within a few hours and feel free to vary the fresh additives in the way of fresh fruit, vegetables, leafy greens flowers and herbs dried or wet teas.
www.chinaprairie.com
HERE ARE THE STEPS I take every day to create a whole food CHOP or MASH
I SOAKED CHINA PRARIE SEEDS FOR 10 HOURS EVERY THREE DAYS & STORE THEM IN THE FRIDGE
I buy a packaged mix of dried seeds and beans from China Prairie. I add this pre soaked mixture of these seeds and beans to my CHOP every day. I use a soaking vessel from China Prairie to soak. If I fill this vessel 2/3 full it makes enough soaked seeds and beans for three days of feeding. CLICK HERE Avian FRESH Diet Parrot Food-Psittacine™ (Sprouts only): China Prairie Products
CLICK HERE FOR SPROUT VESSEL Easy Sprout™: China Prairie Products
HOW TO SOAK
Step 1 I rinse the dry items in cool clean water.
Step 2 I soak the dried items completely. I submerge the dry items in cool clean water for 10 to 12 hours.
Step 3 During this 10 hour soaking process I drain and rinse the seeds 2 to 3 times daily.
I have the option to spout mix, I do not sprout. Sprouting is a three-day process. I refrigerate these soaked beans and seeds in the soaking vessel. I soak enough for use in three days of chop.
HOW TO MAKE MASH OR CHOP
I use a chopping board, sharp knives and a large bowl in which I combine all the ingredients.
I mix a portion of the 10-hour presoaked seeds and beans together with a thawed package of prechopped hard vegetables,
I add some soft fruit, soft vegetables and soft leafy greens. These soft juicy items are hand cut and added fresh every day.
If the fruit makes the chop too watery I sprinkle oaks to absorb the wetness
My Mash or Chop contains the following.
A portion of 10 hour-soaked seed and bean mix, a package of thawed pre chopped frozen hard veggies thawed the day before
Soft Fruit Vegetables, Leafy greens cut or shredded according to the size of your bird or preferences.
All the soft tissue items are chopped 3o minutes before serving to avoid excess moisture in the mash.
MIX WELL AND FEED. Offer enough that they will consume within a few hours and feel free to vary the fresh additives in the way of fresh fruit, vegetables, leafy greens flowers and herbs dried or wet teas.
www.chinaprairie.com
3 PM DINNER A VARIETY OF DRIED FOODS.
Picture of typical of our dinner meal of dried food in a 6-inch food bowl for large parrots (macaws) photo by Nancy
3 PM DINNER DRIED FOODS. A mixture of TOPS brand organic pellets (large size), Dried pumpkin seeds, freeze dried coconut chips, small amount of Israeli sunflower seeds in the shell, this mix often includes other frieze dried foods, dried herbs, cinnamon sticks, cardamon, anise, flowers, dried teas and a small number of seeds when available. Added to each parrots mix each daily is one Lafeber's Nutri-berries (Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries for Macaws & Cockatoos – Lafeber Company), three pistachios, three pine nuts, several unsulfurated unsweetened banana chips and a whole nut in hard shell (variety varies day to day including some nuts without shells like cashews, occasionally freeze-dried meal worms (no peanuts) https://www.anuts.com
I BUY TOPS PELLETS (large pellet size) from either Chewy.com or Amazon Prime
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
CLICK HERE Organic Pellets – TOP's Parrot Food (topsparrotfood.com)
I BUY THESE NUTS. Black walnuts, chestnuts, hard shelled pecans, soft shelled pecans, almonds, hazel nuts, pine nuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts (cooked unsalted organic peanuts very limited use) I order nuts from https://nuts.com/ & Great Tasting Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruit, Gourmet Popcorn | anuts.com
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Brazil nut
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Almond
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Walnut
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Brazil nut
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Pinenut
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Pistachio
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Hazel nut
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Macedemia nut
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Black walnut
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Cashew
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Hard shell Pecan
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Paper shell pecan
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FREEZE DRIED ADDITIVES TO THE DRY MIX
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Coconut chips
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Banana chips
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Dried pumpkin seeds
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Freeze dried additives come from https://nuts.com/.
Unsulfurated and unsweetened banana chips come from Banana Chips, Unsweetened (Sulfur Free) - anuts.com
Unsulfurated and unsweetened banana chips come from Banana Chips, Unsweetened (Sulfur Free) - anuts.com
HERBS AND TEAS
FOOD TREATS FOR TRAINING
Every bird here has a unique idea of what their favorite Food Treat is. We identify that food, try to offer it only in very small pieces as an incentive or reward for learning skills. Most parrots are eager to learn not just for the food treats. Some want lots of praise, head scratches etc. Most of our parrots are eager to work for shelled Pine nuts, some like slivers of almonds or other nuts, roasted unsalted organic peanuts, NEVER RAW peanuts, sometimes little bits of cheese, Mr. Peaches favorite treat is a Pepperidge Farm Mini Goldfish.