How much is too much??

[sal]

Hi all,
i am a little concerned that i may be overfeeding my birds, killing them with kindness and all!
I have 5 Gang Gangs. In one aviary there are 3 and the other 2. The get fed in the morning, (for the three birds) 2 x 10 oz bowls of fruit/veg, plus their 30oz seed dish filled. I also put in fresh branches and grasses etc. The other 2 only have a 10oz bowl of seed and a 10 oz bowl of fruit/veg(they are new and getting used to the transition).
In the avo i feed them either 1/2 bowl nuts or some other food item as that way the fruit isn't put out in the heat of the day. They usually get new branches or something as well.
Most of the fruit/veg is gone every day and the seed bowls need topping up as well. They have a great time and shred EVERYTHING i put in there so they are not bored. They are actually eating most of the food not shredding it as all the fruit skins etc have been nicely taken from the flesh. There is little wastage on the floor.
They don't look fat and are quite active racing around and flying. They get very excited when the food comes and insist on getting a 'sneak preview' before the bowls go into the holders.
Does anyone think it is too much or is it ok? I don't want to cause any weight problems.
Cheers,
Giselle.

[Catbird]

It's not quantity but quality. Your birds would be worse off if you were feeding them small amounts of very boring and fatty foods. By keeping it varied and fresh it sounds like you are doing the right thing.
Plenty of excersie will use up all the food they consume, whereas if they just gorged themselves and sat around all day they are more likely to have obesity problems.

[sal]

Thanks for the reply. I was telling Gus (my beautiful boy) this morning that he may have to go on a diet. I think he understood caz he started stuffing his face as fast as he could!!!!
I have also been giving them a small amount of madiera cake(low fat!) every now and then. They go nuts for it. I get it at woolies when they are cheap($2) and then freeze them, and cut off small bits every now and then. I read somewhere that it was great especially when they are breeding. I think its great as i need to taste test before i give it to them as it may be poisionous. ;D
Any one else feed this?
I have also found that the white stalk of the silverbeat is a great chew toy. The 'kids' all sit there and chomp on it and rip at it. I guess it is better than throwing it out!!
Cheers,
Sal.

[Smiley]

Sounds like you are doing a great job there Sal...They are in avairys so they will excerise it off...Its not like they are in a cage stuffing them self...and yes maidera cake is great for them as well...You can make lots of cakes for them your self as well..carrot is a good one..and a veg cake..

Here a cake that I make up some times..

Cook four large sweet potatoes* (makes about two cups).
Peel and mash. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes with:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornbread mix
1 cup regular uncooked oatmeal
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts)
1 cup chopped fruit (apple, banana, or dried fruit)
1/4 cup raw wheat germ
1 Tablespoon wheat grass powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 Tablespoon baking powder (non-aluminum from health food store)
4 beaten eggs (may include crushed shells)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup oil
2 Tablespoons nut butter (almond, cashew, peanut butter)
Juice--enough to moisten to cake batter consistency (about two cups) I use
unsweetened apple juice or papaya juice.
Pour the batter into two large well-buttered pyrex baking dishes.
Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cool and cut into squares. May be frozen for later use. This recipe makes a
heavy moist bread, more like banana bread than light cake texture, but
birds of all ages love it!
*You may substitute pumpkin for the sweet potatoes.


Natalie

[sal]

Thanks Natalie, looks like a weekend of baking for me! Great idea. I have seen somewhere a whole lot of cookie recipes....wonder where? Will try to find them and will post them. I hope it wasn't on this forum....how embarrasiing
Cheers,
Sal.

[Smiley]

I have lots of them...I will find them and post some more...

Natalie