Fruit and vegetable salad for parrots
The parrots at the adoption center generally get the Landing Mash topped with our Fruit and Vegetable Salad. They also get some Pumpkin Bread each day. The ingredients in the Raw Fruit and Vegetable Salad vary from week to week. So, it does not include ALL of the items listed below, just a few of them. And, we vary it regularly, depending on what is in season and readily available. This list is merely of fruits and vegetables we find that work well in the Fruit and Vegetable Salad.
Why make salad and mash?
Variety is important, not only for nutrition, but also for enrichment. The overall purpose of making the Raw Fruit and Vegetable Salad and using it in addition to Mash is to provide an easy way to incorporate some fresh fruits and vegetables into the birds diets that have higher water content, so they simply do not freeze well. (Or, at least, become watery when thawed after being frozen.) Most birds don't like to eat foods that are overly mushy. So, we create a couple of days worth of salad at a time. This saves time because then we aren't chopping fruits or vegetables every day.
Ingredients
Vegetables: Select several from the list below
- Carrots
- Yellow squash
- Broccolini works better than broccoli
- Red, yellow, orange and green peppers
- Hot peppers of any kind a super healthy
- Banana peppers
- Celery
- Bok choy
- Radish
- Peas
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Parsnip
- Sprouts!!
Fruits: Select several from the list below. Look for harder, less ripe fruits.
- Mango
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Apple
- Orange
- Blueberries
- Pomegranate seeds
- Kiwi
- Peach, Plum, Nectarine
- Pear (holds up for shorter period)
- Note: Many birds enjoy cantaloupe, but we recommend offering it to birds the day you cut it, and not including it in a batch of Fruit and Vegetable Salad, as it starts to break down quickly when included in pre-chopped salad.
Other possible ingredients to include:
- Sprouts (green peas or mung is a favorite to make at home), or Crunchy Sprouts from the store
- Shredded coconut
- Hulled sunflower seeds
- Chopped nuts
- Safe flowers
Directions
Chop all ingredients up as desired, and mix together.
Divide into single serving containers.
Pro tip: Use small containers if you have a small flock so that there is only enough for your bird or flock for a day, and no space for extra air that will help break down the fruits and vegetables included in the salad. Store in the refrigerator.
Each day, remove one container and put it on top of Landing Mash.
For more added interest, sprinkle with unhulled sesame seeds (a great source of calcium), hemp seeds or chia seeds. Add a sprig or two of greens as well (arugula, kale, baby romaine, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
Serve and watch your bird enjoy!
Divide into single serving containers.
Pro tip: Use small containers if you have a small flock so that there is only enough for your bird or flock for a day, and no space for extra air that will help break down the fruits and vegetables included in the salad. Store in the refrigerator.
Each day, remove one container and put it on top of Landing Mash.
For more added interest, sprinkle with unhulled sesame seeds (a great source of calcium), hemp seeds or chia seeds. Add a sprig or two of greens as well (arugula, kale, baby romaine, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
Serve and watch your bird enjoy!