Most often, birds like the taste of grains which are a good combination
of nutrients: complex carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins;
providing them a healthy food. The great variety of grains found on the
market gives also different nutritive values for the birds. Grains are
usually combined with seeds vegetables, pasta or pellets for the
variety of food.
We will now give you a few recipes on various grains for your parrot.
The grains used are organically grown. Those combinations of grains are
very healthy and the parrots love their taste.
The grains
Buckwheat
groats - the best known source of complex carbohydrates are the
proteins in buckwheat. Buckwheat also contains a high proportion of all
eight amino acids which the body does not manufacture but are
absolutely essential for keeping it in good shape. All this makes
buckwheat closer to being a complete protein than any other plant
source, even soybeans. For buckwheat groats use 2 measures liquid to 1
measure of buckwheat groats, boil them, cover, and simmer for 20
minutes.
Pearled barley – cooked barley is very rich in
proteins, a cup of cooked barley offers the same amount of protein as a
glass of milk, along with hearty increments of niacin, thiamine, and
potassium. A substance that inhibits the production of cholesterol in
the blood has been traced to the non-fibrous part of the grain. For
pearled barley use 2 cups boiling liquid to 1 cup pearled barley, cover
and cook for 35 to 40 minutes.
Bulgar - each quarter pound
contains over 11.2 grams of protein, 75.7 grams of carbohydrates, 338
milligrams of phosphorus, and 229 milligrams of potassium, as well as
healthy doses of calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Or as
many nutrients as one will find in a whole loaf of 100% whole-wheat
bread! Unused bulgar can be frozen. For bulgar use 1 measure of bulgar
to 2 measures liquid. Boil, lower heat, cover, and simmer for 25
minutes.
Wheat berries – they have a high content of proteins,
carbohydrates, B vitamins, and 7 amino acids that give the required
energy to the body: 335 units of protein per cooked half cup. It is
also low in calories: 55 for the same amount. For wheat berries soak
overnight and boil in soaking water for one hour or cook covered until
the wheat is soft, adding water if necessary.
Quinoa – full of
lysine and great amounts of the other amino acids that complete a
protein, besides being a repository for phosphorus, calcium, iron,
vitamin E, and assorted B vitamins. It can be stored in the freezer.
For quinoa use 1 measure of quinoa to 2 measures of liquid. Boil, lower
heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Leave it off heat for another 10
minutes.
Triticale - a hybrid grain of wheat and rye. The
average protein content of wheat is about 12%, while the rye's is about
7%; triticale runs about 15-17%. Triticale contains a better balance of
amino acids than either of its parents, with twice as much lysine as
wheat offers. For triticale use water to cover it, boil, lower heat,
cover and cook until done; add water if needed.
Hulled millet -
rich in phosphorus, iron, calcium, riboflavin, the nutritional value of
cooked millet (90 calories) is only a step under wheat on the protein
ladder. It is also higher in the amino acid lysine than oats, corn, or
rice. For hulled millet use 1 measure of millet to 2 measures of
liquid, boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Leave it
covered and off heat for 10 more minutes.
Grains can be served
to birds in many ways. How the person cooks them or prepares them will
make the difference and the variety of the birds’ diet. In order to
find what is your parrot’s favorite, experiment different ways of
cooking them.
Reprinted with permission: www.articlebiz.com
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