I'm always on the hunt for new ideas for treats. The fids already have their Nurtiberries, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, millet, dried papaya, almond and more. These are not regular staples. I give them to the birds when they are out of the cage and on their play trees. Just a little treat from time to time.

The other day I was at the bulk food store and just looking for healthy ideas, when I came across "8 Grain Cereal Mix". This stuff is supposed to be for humans obviously (although I must admit I don't find the mix particularly appetizing) But the list of ingredients sounded like a great bird treat.

Pot Barley
Oat Groats
Hulled Millet
Buckwheat
Flax Seed
Sesame Seeds
Kamut
Rye Kernels

I give them each a "pinch". Maya and Buddy really love it. Tinker yells for something else, then eventually goes to town.

As far as I know most of the grains are healthy and not too high in fat.

they get it dry, right? not cooked into a mush? i might have to look for that. right now i have some parm cheese and chili powder dusted popcorn in the fridge for them to snack on occasionally. for me too - it's pretty yummy even with no butter

i know what you mean about not appealing. the bean mix i make for the birds doesn't look that good to me (which is odd because i love beans...), but they really love it.

kris

Sorry, yeah, totally dry. Should've mentioned that. I't kinda like high end chicken scratch.

Sounds like some healthy stuff.

The millet and oat groats are in most budgie and cockatiel mixes anyway.

Just don't slip up and tell them it's good for them.

Ewwwww gag. I'm sure *gag* the birds *gag* will LOVE it!

I'm more of a "twinkie" kind of girl

That sounds like a lot of the same ingredients in "OH BOY" parrot food, it's Quincy's favorite. I'll have to look for the 8 grain stuff, what grocery store did you find it in?

I don't even know the name of the place. Bulk food stores are kinda all the same anyway.

I find all kinds of cool bird stuff in there. Nuts, pasta, beans, grains... I see no sense buying a human sized packages of food I'll never eat, but the fids will. Buying in "bulk" doesn't mean huge quantities to me, it means measured amounts. Just enough to last a couple of months in the fridge. I have containers coming out of my ears. If I posted pictures, it'd freak you out. Lots of variety is the key for me.

Just pick a good bulk food store out of the yellow pages and go crazy! I find I get really inspired in there sometimes.

Smart shopping Uncle Zippy.....I'm trying Harley now with flax seed and he finally has taken to it....I've taken everything else away from him now except his Roudybush and Harrison's pellets and the flax seeds...Of course he gets his veggies in the afternoon....and he gets a small piece of oat bread with his SAMe supplement on it twice a day...By the way his beak is beginning to look better....especially at the, I call it the root--that is where the feathers start....It looks a little more pinkish.....Back to the vet soon....

Don't spoil those babies too much....

The health food store is a great place to shop for birds! My local shop has all kinds of nuts and seeds as well as healthy "prepared" foods. Last night, I discovered my little guy loves rice cakes. I was eating one and broke off a piece for him, and he devoured the thing! I wish they tasted that yummy to me.

I will have to check that stuff out. Thanks for the lead. I am oblivious to health food stores so better you go in and check for me. Afterall I like my bread to taste like bread and not sawdust lolololololol
cupcakes?

ROFL!!! DITTO