Ok guys, 9 weeks isn't really that long away so I need some help. I have been reading alot about Eclectus diets and keep reading about how much soft foods they require. Can someone give me a rough estimate of what percentage their fids eat in their daily diet? I have never cooked chickpeas, are they real hard to figure out? Also (and this isn't just an eckie question) I wanted to give my fids some of my scrambled eggs this morning, but then I remember hearing that you have to cook eggs for an extra amount of time to give to birds> is that right? How long does cold, cooked brown rice hold for in a fridge too? Ummm also I use Roudybush maintenance pellets (non coloured) and my ringies love em, are they ok to use in my soon to be eckie's diet? I am reading conflicting things about pellet use so anyone out there who can shed some light on this would be a big help. What kind of nuts are ok as a treat? I know they can't have a big amount because of the fat but haven't seen it mentioned what types are ok?
Dani you could help me with this one- how different is your eckie's diet compared to Prinny's? What extra things do you give them?
Is there anything major that I am missing (more then likely) that I should know?
I feel a slight panic attack coming on lol, must cuddle fids before my head explodes

I cook Jasmine's eggs hard boiled for a half hour on a medium BOIL. Serve with shell as calcium is important. She also loves boiled (til able to be mooshed with a fork) sweet potatos. These are packed with vitamin A which is also very important for the EKkies. I leave Jasmine's boiled wild rice in the fridge for a week, any extra (if there is any, she loves that stuff) is tossed after the week. Same with whole wheat pastas that I cook for her.
Some will not agree with this, but...while I'm at work during the day, Jasmine gets Hagen Tropican Pellets (have had no toe tapping or wing flipping thus far *knocks on wood*). She doesn't eat much veggies and greens (however I still ALWAYS offer them), so I feel it is okay for her to have a few pellets. In the morning and evenings she gets fresh stuff. Then on the weekend she gets her nuts and fresh stuff!

Don't panic! Everything will be A-OK!

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Sacred Temple Parrots (Ekkies are also known as this in their native lands)!!

I thought it was over whelming at first too. I was so glad I found the manna mash to make. It seems a big deal but it really isn't and I only have to make it once every other month or so. All four fids eat it and love it. It was originally designed to be a complete diet so it is really healthy stuff.
I am real fortunate in that Sophie doesn't seem to be sensitive to any foods. She loves the ultimate blend from bird paradise.
http://www.mybirdstore.com/product.c...product=232973

She will also eat for short periods of time Golden'oble pellets and Roudybush. Once in awhile I could slip in Zupreem but its not a favorite.
The pellets are a small part of her diet. They are always available but she doesn't eat a lot of them. Mostly its the mash, Volkmans 15 minute soak n serve, birdie bread, sprouts daily at 5PM............

yeah I spoil her!!!

Jim, whats this mana mash? Is it an American product like nutriberries (found a good recipe to make my own the other day so that is one thing that I can tick off the list... yes I have a list), if so it might be hard to find over here. Could you give me a link for it? Glad to hear I'm not the only one to find it overwhelming to think about, I want to be the best mumma that I can, so I am stressing a little . I figure if I have to make a special diet for this bubba eckie I can just adapt it to fit in with my ringies diet cause they will eat just about anything.
Does Sophie eat greens? If so what kind? Can anyone fill me in on what kind of nuts they can eat? And what about the rice? Jim I know you give your guys brown rice and beans right?

oh no. Its Mike's manna mash. I make it myself.

Mike's manna mash

there may be items you can't get and its ok to substitute as needed of course. It costs me between $30 and $40 to make a batch that lasts almost two months.

The monster mash listed below may offer some ideas for replacement items. I actually made that one one time. In small quantities it still turned into a huge amount!! lol Not sure I'll make it again as it is written anyway.

Wow thanks Jim! Thats terrific.. now if only my oven was working so I could make some birdie muffins

Ah the great Ekkie diet debate...it never ends LOL

My guys usually get whatever is on sale at the fruit market...plus always sweet potatoes, kale, eggs (scrambled or boiled), the kitchen sink reciepe...I'm sure there's more...but I can't think of it right now. Usually at our fruit market the variaty is ever changing so they get whatever is in stock there.

Mine also eat Roudybush pellets and *knock on wood* no wing flipping or toe tapping. It all depends on your ekkie. If they end up toe tapping try them on the rice diet from Roudybush...but pellets only make up the 'day' portion of the diet...

Dani

I feed Gabby Goldenfeast Gardenflora II. Gabby gets a fresh bowl of seed every 3-4 days. I give her Red Palm Oil, which I put over different foods daily. She also gets fresh fruits, and veggies, along with sprouts, pasta,rice, beans and whatever she steals from me. If she'd been a boy I'd of named her Mikey, cause she "eats anything"

I feed as many fresh foods as possible and they actually prefer the fresh. I just started using the Nachos Frijoles soakable bean mix and I love it!
NACHOS FRIJOLES - HIGGINS by Bird Paradise Also, I feed Asian Medley which is a cookable Goldenfeast Asian Medley - GOLDENFEAST by Bird Paradise I add peas, lima beans or fruit to the mix or serve it alone. They also love baked sweet potatoes (microwaved and cold), fresh squash and pumpkin. I leave the Bird Paradise Ultimate Blend in their bowls all day, as I remove the fresh food before I leave for the day.

I do not feed any seed. I do give them Boca Nuts as a treat. BOCA NUTS - SHELLED NUTS PER LB. - HIGGINS by Bird Paradise

Seed with Eclectus (or any parrot for that matter) is a very controversial issue. If you choose to feed pellets, make sure they are not colored.

The only pellet with which I had a problem was Harrison's. It caused toe tapping in my one Eclectus.

Best of luck! They are garbage pails so I find they eat just about anything you give them!

I'm going to have to give that NACHOS FRIJOLES a try next time I make a mash. That would save me a lot of time shopping for 2 tblspn of each type of bean n grain I use.