The best way to freeze chop is to add something to absorb the moisture. I add steel cut oats to my chop before freezing. We also use a vacuum sealer and only seal small bags with enough for 3 to 4 days- it takes hours but is worth it. I also add a little quinoa, soaked and cooked beans, wheat rice or different veggies on top to give variety.
Ok, I REALLY like that you vaccum seal- it would take hours! However, that is a game-changer. I've seen places where the chop is made off-site and then taken into the store in containers that I highly doubt are air tight- So you use oats to absorb moisture... I like it....
Very good information. I give fresh chop every morning. I use seasonal vegetables. I usually skip peas as none of my birds eat peas. I like to give pieces of corn on the cob. It makes them work a bit for their.They all eat leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, beets and the greens, broccoli, cauliflower, yellow, green and red peppers. I also add fresh sprouts. My chop has mixed sizes. In chop I have to shred carrots but they all will take a piece as a treat. My flock only likes green bananas. Occasionally they get a section of mandarin orange, a small piece of apple or a half of a grape. Fruits are a Treat. I’ve found a ratio of 60% chop with 40% pellets works for my birds. Oh, nuts are used as a reward. My budgies are getting a small cup of chop, organic budgie seed mix free of dried fruit bits and mystery colored bits. I do add fresh crushed egg yolk and shell to the budgie chop once a week. The budgies love when I clip fresh basil leaves or broccoli flowers to the inside of their cage. I also use my special birdie bread as a treat or light meal. Do you use a sprinkle to encourage them to try new foods? I make my own. I mix organic, preservative free, cinnamon, turmeric,cayenne and crushed almonds in a small battery operated coffee grinder. I’ve found most of the birds like it and end up tasting the new food. I agree. We, the guardians, tend to pick up on changes in our flock and other pets before they demonstrate overt symptoms. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge.💕
Jan, if you were close by and sold chop, I'd get some!!! I don't think of myself as doing chop because I give fresh out daily- Yes, I give small, small amounts initially to get them to try something new. A couple days ago Macey at broccoli - I did a summersalt in the air! Ok, in my mind, can't really do gymnastics... Thanks for always posting!
Food for thought on frozen vs fresh in store bought vegetables/fruits. Veg/fruit are at their nutritionional peak when harvested, they will never have more than at the moment of picking as the plant is no longer suppling nutrients and they will also lose nutrition over time as they age. When harvested for freezing they are fully ripe and then are quickly (usually same day) and properly frozen so more of that peak is preserved. When harvested for fresh consumption they are not harvested at peak nutrition/fully ripened state which allows more time for storage, transportation, stocking, and selection by consumers. During this time the veggies are losing more nutritional value than the veggies that have gone through, and are kept at, the proper freezing process/temps. The fresh veg/fruit are also ripening without the plant to supply nutrients, this is more of a concern for somethings than others as some veg/fruits naturally store better than others do and are harvested more ripened. Coatings applied by producers to extend the "going to market time/storability" could be another concern. I find it to be an interesting topic as love to garden and preserve food.
Great information. I like giving my parrotlet food in different ways to help vary things. One day I will put carrot and broccoli in chop and the next clipped to the perch with a little chia seed on it. Sometimes I clip it to the end of a string so it's more challenging to eat.
Good job, Robin! That is wonderful for him (that you deliver it in different ways). I sometimes put food on top of their cages for the challenge... sometimes it works but not always... LOL
I love parrots too. But I'm barely enough for my one parrot. He would like much more of me and I give him all my time that I'm not sleeping or shopping in. How do you give all of yourself to 22 parrots?
So true, we can't be enough for one bird. They are accustomed to 24/7. I don't have to because flocks have more than 2 :) So, my parrots have another of their species. Makes it so that they love engaging with me, but they are always happy in the company of their same-species friend.
@@ParrotBliss I'll admit, as much as I love my bird and am committed to him 100%...but, If I had it to do over again I wouldn't get a bird. Not at all because they are not my bliss...but because they are! I just wish I could give him a better life. I do everything I can but he would be happier with someone that doesn't work or with another bird. I didn't truly understand how intense their emotional needs are. I love him dearly but I'm always feeling sad for him. I wish he had been born a wild bird so he could live his best life. 💔
Another Great Video!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much as always!! Any chance you saw my last text about intergrating my flock?? 3 cockatiels 2 japanese parakeets and a GCC. AGAIN MANY THANKS.
Also just an idea but I make different herbal teas with different wild herbs and wild fruit do you think these would be beneficial to my parrots I sometimes put dried hibiscus flowers in my parrots drinking water it dyes it dark red they drink it just same as water
I'm like you with freezing, I've done that and they seem to like it on day 1 & when I freeze it they don't like it anymore.. It's been trial & error. I try to make what they will eat, and I will also give them the healthiest I can. I usually do frozen corn & peas, mix them with tiny pieces of broccoli flowers cuz they don't really like broccoli so I have to sneak it in there. Then I chop up some different color peppers, sometime spinach but they don't really eat that. Their very picky about eating greens. I also add some little pieces of apple, & cut up 1 grape. They don't like bananas. Then I add brown rice or quinoa. I top that all off with hemp seeds, chia and some spices. That seems healthy but I wish they ate more greens. Are your caiques fussy in that regard? I enjoyed your video. I love how much you love your parrots. I was hysterical today because my baby caique Lola was flying away from me like she was scared to death of me(she's usually clingy & ❤️ lovey too) when I caught her she was screaming & bit me. I put her in the cage and I was crying I was so upset. Then it dawned on me that she never seen me with my hair pulled back. Everything was fine once I took it down. Whew!!! I was so scared there was something wrong with her!
Don't think my Caiques like bananas either... How are you doing with Lola? Is she working out? I've heard that birds can freak out if you change your hair, but I always have mine up, down, pulled back and all over the place. It doesn't help when they play with it either! LOL
@@ParrotBliss Lola's fine, she's such a good little girl, but she is funny, I pulled the top part of my hair back today like I do alot and she started flying away from me again. Ozzy never minds any changes I make. Lol! Their funny!! Do you ever listen to Dr Jason Crean? I listen to him today talk about micro- greens. I would like to start growing them. I just started giving them Thrive soak & sprout from China Prairie. They seem to like them. They do pick out some of the beans & peas though. Lol.
I think corn is ok for parrots, but I avoid GMO corn for them because GMO corn is made so that it has extra plant based pesticides inside the plant! Pretty much have to go organic to avoid GMO corn since almost all corn in the USA is GMO. (Soy not grown in its native rainforest environment has a few times higher plant made pesticides as well. ) Sadly some of our pellets (Roudy Bush) and the locally made frozen chop we buy probably have GMO corn. Our Harrison's and tops wouldn't since they're organic 🥳 ( We give them some of the tops pellets so they have more veggies with their pellets, but they don't like it well enough to eat just tops. Also they got foamy poop when tops was their only pellet... We use the Harrison's in most areas of our house except our sleeping cages because it doesn't have wheat and I have 3 kids that are very allergic to wheat. But again, our parrots don't like it enough by itself for it to be our primary pellet. I kind of think Psittacus might not be GMO because other countries ban GMO's. Since it's from Spain maybe it's a good one :) I worry a little about feeding parrots frozen veggies because of the recall notices that sometimes happens when frozen veggies are contaminated with some pretty bad bacteria. Do u heat it a bit somehow first to make sure it's safe?
Glad you asked - in the wild, they don't get to the ripe fruit. Larger birds or primates do. The chance parrots have to eat fruit (almost all species) is only when it is green, unripe. So they haven't evolved to digest it well. A health guy I follow says that fructose (I assume in amounts higher than if you just eat fruit) is bad for your liver. Today most nutritionists will tell you to stay away from or limit fruit, too much fructose. More so true for our parrots. If you are going to give fruit, apples and grapes are the worst (highest fructose). Instead give unripe fruit or, better still, give sweet ones that offer a benefit: beets, carrots, sweet potatoes -
@@ParrotBliss yeah I had heard that they don't eat ripe fruit in the wild I wonder if unripe fruit still has high fructose levels? I go foraging and I get them rosehips that are not ripe there's also sloe berries and hawthorn berries too but I havnt tried them only the rosehip which they generally eat a very small ammount anyway because half there food ends up under the grills on the floor lol except for the mountain parakeets they are the best eating birds I have they hold food in thier foot and they eat everything I give them with very minimal waste food left over
OK so he is talking away during this video and I'm not kidding you do you I say to him "you are so cute" because I swear he said it and it also sounds like he said a couple times "what are you doing" he is trying totalk
Good reminder that we shouldn’t serve our birds rotten bacteria filled food. Since my 3 birds are small, I would be wasting a LOT of veggies if I didn’t freeze it after mixing all of the greens together, so I do chop it up very fine and freeze it in small portions in these cute little airtight containers. They seem to enjoy these thawed chunks of mixed veggies & grains, but they also get pellets, sprouts, and some organic seeds. They seem to go most crazy for the sprouts. They also get fresh mint leaves and greens. It takes some practice to get the whole chop thing to work well. I have heard that the nutrition value really varies depending on which pellet you’re giving them, and how they’re processed. I like Top’s because it’s cold pressed and doesn’t have corn as the first ingredient. The last bird vet I went to said she didn’t like Top’s because they won’t give her freebies or attend conferences. I’m sorry but I don’t care if the pellet brand isn’t properly schmoozing my vet, I want the best for my bird.
The best way to freeze chop is to add something to absorb the moisture. I add steel cut oats to my chop before freezing. We also use a vacuum sealer and only seal small bags with enough for 3 to 4 days- it takes hours but is worth it. I also add a little quinoa, soaked and cooked beans, wheat rice or different veggies on top to give variety.
Ok, I REALLY like that you vaccum seal- it would take hours! However, that is a game-changer. I've seen places where the chop is made off-site and then taken into the store in containers that I highly doubt are air tight-
So you use oats to absorb moisture... I like it....
Very good information. I give fresh chop every morning. I use seasonal vegetables. I usually skip peas as none of my birds eat peas. I like to give pieces of corn on the cob. It makes them work a bit for their.They all eat leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, beets and the greens, broccoli, cauliflower, yellow, green and red peppers. I also add fresh sprouts. My chop has mixed sizes. In chop I have to shred carrots but they all will take a piece as a treat. My flock only likes green bananas. Occasionally they get a section of mandarin orange, a small piece of apple or a half of a grape. Fruits are a Treat. I’ve found a ratio of 60% chop with 40% pellets works for my birds. Oh, nuts are used as a reward. My budgies are getting a small cup of chop, organic budgie seed mix free of dried fruit bits and mystery colored bits. I do add fresh crushed egg yolk and shell to the budgie chop once a week. The budgies love when I clip fresh basil leaves or broccoli flowers to the inside of their cage. I also use my special birdie bread as a treat or light meal. Do you use a sprinkle to encourage them to try new foods? I make my own. I mix organic, preservative free, cinnamon, turmeric,cayenne and crushed almonds in a small battery operated coffee grinder. I’ve found most of the birds like it and end up tasting the new food. I agree. We, the guardians, tend to pick up on changes in our flock and other pets before they demonstrate overt symptoms. Thank you for sharing your great knowledge.💕
Jan, if you were close by and sold chop, I'd get some!!!
I don't think of myself as doing chop because I give fresh out daily- Yes, I give small, small amounts initially to get them to try something new. A couple days ago Macey at broccoli - I did a summersalt in the air! Ok, in my mind, can't really do gymnastics...
Thanks for always posting!
Food for thought on frozen vs fresh in store bought vegetables/fruits. Veg/fruit are at their nutritionional peak when harvested, they will never have more than at the moment of picking as the plant is no longer suppling nutrients and they will also lose nutrition over time as they age. When harvested for freezing they are fully ripe and then are quickly (usually same day) and properly frozen so more of that peak is preserved. When harvested for fresh consumption they are not harvested at peak nutrition/fully ripened state which allows more time for storage, transportation, stocking, and selection by consumers. During this time the veggies are losing more nutritional value than the veggies that have gone through, and are kept at, the proper freezing process/temps. The fresh veg/fruit are also ripening without the plant to supply nutrients, this is more of a concern for somethings than others as some veg/fruits naturally store better than others do and are harvested more ripened. Coatings applied by producers to extend the "going to market time/storability" could be another concern. I find it to be an interesting topic as love to garden and preserve food.
I also sprinkle vitamins Prime on her dry mix seeds
My birds get vits in their pellets, no need for me to give extra
Great information. I like giving my parrotlet food in different ways to help vary things. One day I will put carrot and broccoli in chop and the next clipped to the perch with a little chia seed on it. Sometimes I clip it to the end of a string so it's more challenging to eat.
Good job, Robin! That is wonderful for him (that you deliver it in different ways). I sometimes put food on top of their cages for the challenge... sometimes it works but not always... LOL
I love parrots too. But I'm barely enough for my one parrot. He would like much more of me and I give him all my time that I'm not sleeping or shopping in. How do you give all of yourself to 22 parrots?
So true, we can't be enough for one bird. They are accustomed to 24/7.
I don't have to because flocks have more than 2 :) So, my parrots have another of their species. Makes it so that they love engaging with me, but they are always happy in the company of their same-species friend.
@@ParrotBliss makes sense. 🙂
@@ParrotBliss I'll admit, as much as I love my bird and am committed to him 100%...but, If I had it to do over again I wouldn't get a bird. Not at all because they are not my bliss...but because they are! I just wish I could give him a better life. I do everything I can but he would be happier with someone that doesn't work or with another bird. I didn't truly understand how intense their emotional needs are. I love him dearly but I'm always feeling sad for him. I wish he had been born a wild bird so he could live his best life. 💔
Another Great Video!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much as always!! Any chance you saw my last text about intergrating my flock?? 3 cockatiels 2 japanese parakeets and a GCC. AGAIN MANY THANKS.
Let me check, don't know if I saw that comment. Thank you for posting, Mateo! Glad you liked the vid :)
Also just an idea but I make different herbal teas with different wild herbs and wild fruit do you think these would be beneficial to my parrots I sometimes put dried hibiscus flowers in my parrots drinking water it dyes it dark red they drink it just same as water
YES! Teas are good for them. Trick is knowing what kind of tea. I know flowered teas, like hibiscus, is -- and they love it!
Great information where should I get oregano safe for them
Grow it or you can buy online organic herbs
Great idea - I grow a few too, Nick
@@ParrotBliss yh I have my little herb pots and I break of a twig of something different each time and they love them
@@nickbailey5201 That is awesome!
I'm like you with freezing, I've done that and they seem to like it on day 1 & when I freeze it they don't like it anymore.. It's been trial & error. I try to make what they will eat, and I will also give them the healthiest I can. I usually do frozen corn & peas, mix them with tiny pieces of broccoli flowers cuz they don't really like broccoli so I have to sneak it in there. Then I chop up some different color peppers, sometime spinach but they don't really eat that. Their very picky about eating greens. I also add some little pieces of apple, & cut up 1 grape. They don't like bananas. Then I add brown rice or quinoa. I top that all off with hemp seeds, chia and some spices. That seems healthy but I wish they ate more greens. Are your caiques fussy in that regard? I enjoyed your video.
I love how much you love your parrots. I was hysterical today because my baby caique Lola was flying away from me like she was scared to death of me(she's usually clingy & ❤️ lovey too) when I caught her she was screaming & bit me. I put her in the cage and I was crying I was so upset. Then it dawned on me that she never seen me with my hair pulled back. Everything was fine once I took it down. Whew!!! I was so scared there was something wrong with her!
Don't think my Caiques like bananas either...
How are you doing with Lola? Is she working out? I've heard that birds can freak out if you change your hair, but I always have mine up, down, pulled back and all over the place. It doesn't help when they play with it either! LOL
@@ParrotBliss Lola's fine, she's such a good little girl, but she is funny, I pulled the top part of my hair back today like I do alot and she started flying away from me again. Ozzy never minds any changes I make. Lol! Their funny!!
Do you ever listen to Dr Jason Crean? I listen to him today talk about micro- greens. I would like to start growing them. I just started giving them Thrive soak & sprout from China Prairie. They seem to like them. They do pick out some of the beans & peas though. Lol.
I think corn is ok for parrots, but I avoid GMO corn for them because GMO corn is made so that it has extra plant based pesticides inside the plant! Pretty much have to go organic to avoid GMO corn since almost all corn in the USA is GMO. (Soy not grown in its native rainforest environment has a few times higher plant made pesticides as well. )
Sadly some of our pellets (Roudy Bush) and the locally made frozen chop we buy probably have GMO corn. Our Harrison's and tops wouldn't since they're organic 🥳 ( We give them some of the tops pellets so they have more veggies with their pellets, but they don't like it well enough to eat just tops. Also they got foamy poop when tops was their only pellet... We use the Harrison's in most areas of our house except our sleeping cages because it doesn't have wheat and I have 3 kids that are very allergic to wheat. But again, our parrots don't like it enough by itself for it to be our primary pellet. I kind of think Psittacus might not be GMO because other countries ban GMO's. Since it's from Spain maybe it's a good one :)
I worry a little about feeding parrots frozen veggies because of the recall notices that sometimes happens when frozen veggies are contaminated with some pretty bad bacteria. Do u heat it a bit somehow first to make sure it's safe?
I agree, it’s hard to avoid issues with their food. Yes, I warm up the veggies-
@@ParrotBliss k thx!
What reason shouldn't you give to much fruit?
Glad you asked - in the wild, they don't get to the ripe fruit. Larger birds or primates do.
The chance parrots have to eat fruit (almost all species) is only when it is green, unripe. So they haven't evolved to digest it well.
A health guy I follow says that fructose (I assume in amounts higher than if you just eat fruit) is bad for your liver. Today most nutritionists will tell you to stay away from or limit fruit, too much fructose.
More so true for our parrots. If you are going to give fruit, apples and grapes are the worst (highest fructose). Instead give unripe fruit or, better still, give sweet ones that offer a benefit: beets, carrots, sweet potatoes -
@@ParrotBliss yeah I had heard that they don't eat ripe fruit in the wild I wonder if unripe fruit still has high fructose levels? I go foraging and I get them rosehips that are not ripe there's also sloe berries and hawthorn berries too but I havnt tried them only the rosehip which they generally eat a very small ammount anyway because half there food ends up under the grills on the floor lol except for the mountain parakeets they are the best eating birds I have they hold food in thier foot and they eat everything I give them with very minimal waste food left over
OK so he is talking away during this video and I'm not kidding you do you I say to him "you are so cute" because I swear he said it and it also sounds like he said a couple times "what are you doing" he is trying totalk
I know! They have a voice that's hard to 'hear' -- but yes! Bonnie is starting to talk too! I LOVE IT!
Good reminder that we shouldn’t serve our birds rotten bacteria filled food. Since my 3 birds are small, I would be wasting a LOT of veggies if I didn’t freeze it after mixing all of the greens together, so I do chop it up very fine and freeze it in small portions in these cute little airtight containers. They seem to enjoy these thawed chunks of mixed veggies & grains, but they also get pellets, sprouts, and some organic seeds. They seem to go most crazy for the sprouts. They also get fresh mint leaves and greens. It takes some practice to get the whole chop thing to work well.
I have heard that the nutrition value really varies depending on which pellet you’re giving them, and how they’re processed. I like Top’s because it’s cold pressed and doesn’t have corn as the first ingredient. The last bird vet I went to said she didn’t like Top’s because they won’t give her freebies or attend conferences. I’m sorry but I don’t care if the pellet brand isn’t properly schmoozing my vet, I want the best for my bird.
Good for you- yes, you should always do what’s best for your bored ❤️