My friend Lisa and I shot a video demonstration of how to make “Chop.” Many of my “Bleaders,” (Blog Readers)  wanted more detail on the process, so here you go! I hope you get a kick out of it and perhaps will try this way of feeding your birds. Thanks Lisa, and thanks to all of you for your interest in a great way to feed your birds that isn’t just great for your birds, but very convenient for you. Giving your birds a nutritious  meal day after day  doesn’t have to be a painstaking process. A little shopping, chopping and packaging and you are good for months. I’ve always maintained that if something is easy and convenient for you to do, then you’ll probably do it. Making “Chop” every few months is easier then standing at a cutting board twice a day and even if I had the time to do that, There is no way I could get the consistent variety of ingredients you find in “Chop” into their bowls even in a week. The waste would be tremendous and the amount of time you’d spend shopping would eat up your week. By making “Chop” every few months, it’s easier on you and far better for your birds. You’re less likely to give up and slide back to the dried food rut.

Here are some of the more unusual ingredients I used and some nutritional information. Correction: I identified a pepper in the video as a habanero pepper. It is a poblano pepper.

Amaranth

Amaranth contain large amounts of protein and essential amino acids, such as lysine. Amaranth grains grow quickly and their large seedheads can weigh up to 1 kilogram, containing a half-million seeds. Amaranthus species can have a 30% higher protein value than cereals, such as rice, wheat flour, oats, and rye. it’s also high in iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium. It’s low in gluten and sodium. Amaranth has the highest lysine content of all the grains. Quinoa comes in a close second.

Spelt

Spelt contains 15 – 21% protein; much higher than wheat. It’s also higher than wheat in complex carbohydrates, iron, potassium and the B Vitamins. Spelt is rich in protein. These proteins contain all of the eight essential amino acids needed by the human body. These amino acids are called “essential” because the body cannot manufacture them. You need to get them from food. Spelt is very high in the “bioavailability” department, meaning that the nutrients it contains are easily and quickly accessible to the body. It’s easily and rapidly broken down and used without much effort.

Peppers

Red peppers have very high levels of vitamin C and yellow and green peppers have nearly as much. The red varieties are also rich in beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A.  Vitamin A is important for healthy skin, boosts the immune system, and aids in night blindness. They have high antioxidant properties.

Kale

Kale is known as a “Superfood.” It is an amazing source of an easily absorbed calcium, which is one of the many factors that may help prevent osteoporosis. It also provides fairly decent amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B6, manganese, and potassium.

Dandelion Greens

Dandelions are nature’s richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods. African Greys need high amounts of Vitamin A, so dandelion greens are right up their alley as a standard food for them. Dandelion greens are also rich in micronutrients such as copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, as well as Vitamin D.

Wheat Grass Powder

I haven’t tried using this before but I’ve done research and I know it won’t hurt my birds. Wheat grass is very rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, zinc, and protein.  And it’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients and carotenoids.