Thought I'd share this recipe
Jan 12, 2016 20:49:26 GMT -5
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Caseysmom, easttex, and 1 more like this
Post by wsteinhoff on Jan 12, 2016 20:49:26 GMT -5
So ever since I learned I hadn't been giving my birds the greatest diet and care I've done a complete turnaround and have made their health and wellbeing my primary focus. They now eat better than anyone else in the family. I'd like others birds to also stay healthy. I was at one of our large chain pet stores in town a few weeks ago getting some food and saw the entire top shelves in the bird area was nothing but treats. I figured they'd enjoy some treats but I ended up getting none. They all were made up of seeds and some of them used things like corn syrup to hold those seeds together in balls or in rectangles that attach to a cage side or had some other junk in it that I really didn't want them having. The one treat labeled "healthy" right on the front of the bag had things like artificial fruit flavors, poultry fat, and items that are long words that are difficult to even pronounce which I usually say is a warning to just stay away. Now you're probably thinking what does this even have to do with a recipe. I'm getting there just bear with me. After I got home I figured I'd use my love of baking to make my own treats that I know are better for them. Something free of unnatural sugars, artificial flavor, chemicals and preservatives that could be potentially harmful. Using what we had at the house I came up with my latest creation:
Blueberry Parrot Treats
2/3 cup whole oat flour (plus 4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup water (plus 2.5 tablespoons)
4 tablespoons of blueberries
1 tablespoon of grated carrots
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
Mix flaxseed and 2.5 tablespoons of water and let sit for 5 minutes to make a "flax egg". Mash blueberries, carrots, and mix with 1/4 cup water in a pot as it brings to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes to soften the carrots and make a blueberry sauce that will give a natural dye to the treats. Mix the sauce with 2/3 cup of oat flour. The fruit juice makes the dough very sticky so add the 4 tablespoons to make it a little less sticky and easier to work with. Roll into 1 inch balls. Put in the oven on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 250 degrees for around 40-45 minutes. Makes 18.
They didn't turn out exactly how I wanted but this is how I had done them and Bishop is enjoying them and that's what matters. If you wish to try them and your birds end up liking them I plan to experiment more and can continue to post things like this.
Blueberry Parrot Treats
2/3 cup whole oat flour (plus 4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup water (plus 2.5 tablespoons)
4 tablespoons of blueberries
1 tablespoon of grated carrots
1 tablespoon of flaxseed
Mix flaxseed and 2.5 tablespoons of water and let sit for 5 minutes to make a "flax egg". Mash blueberries, carrots, and mix with 1/4 cup water in a pot as it brings to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes to soften the carrots and make a blueberry sauce that will give a natural dye to the treats. Mix the sauce with 2/3 cup of oat flour. The fruit juice makes the dough very sticky so add the 4 tablespoons to make it a little less sticky and easier to work with. Roll into 1 inch balls. Put in the oven on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 250 degrees for around 40-45 minutes. Makes 18.
They didn't turn out exactly how I wanted but this is how I had done them and Bishop is enjoying them and that's what matters. If you wish to try them and your birds end up liking them I plan to experiment more and can continue to post things like this.
