Budgie Land Aviary
~ Home of Sweet Little Budgies ~
&
~ Beautiful Companion Cockatiels ~

Going Green means a lot of things, yet basically it's reducing waste and saving money! Bird food can be expensive, and our birds seem to be the most wasteful creatures of all. Yep, even if your birdie is a seed junkie, you still find a great deal of uneaten seeds all over the place. So I have come up with the ideal supplement that my little wonders absolutely love.

Recycle the bottom of that cage!
Have you ever tried composting? Well, there you go, recycling the bottom of the cage is almost the same concept, with one exception, we're going to grow fresh green leaves from our birds waste.

~ I saved gas by reducing the times I travel to purchase organic veggies and greens ~

First: Choose a place in your yard or garden that is away from your home, just like composting, there will be some odor as the "poop" is absorbed into the soil. I have also used this stuff as mulch around flowers and shrubs.

We recycled 2x6's for this box frame!

I forgot to mention, using pine shavings as a cage liner is very helpful, but if you use news paper you can also accomplish this simply by dumping the waste into a trash can, which you empty in the garden spot or around your shrubs.

Note: If you live in a wet climate I wouldn't recommend using this stuff as mulch, but in dryer climates, this stuff holds in the moister and your flowers will sparkle.

Second: No digging needed, just spread this stuff 3 to 4 inches thick on the top of the ground. It will kill any grass or weeds when dumped in a thick layer over unwanted plants and will feed the sprouts as the nutrients in the poop starts to decompose.

Third: When the sprouts emerge ~ feed your birds ~ You find a wide verity of greens, from dandelions to hemp (without THC). As time goes on, you be able to offer your birdies fresh greens everyday right from your own yard, which is not only organic, but the freshest and nutritious treat you can ever offer. Healthy too!

You can also let sunflowers reach full maturity and give the entire head, when dried, as a treat! My little wonders can't wait for that yummy goodie! I often plant the wasted sunflowers seeds right next to the aviary, were the birdies can watch it grow, all the time knowing they get to eat it.

Our sunflower are almost ready to cut and dry for our birdies!

Finally: Don't make this a chore! I keep a kitchen trash can in the bird room, and I dump it only when it's full enough. Have some fun with this, and let the younger members of the family help too. You will install good common sense and the need for conservation and recreation. My granddaughter loves to pick fresh leaves to feed her favorite cockatiel. We have even decorated our "Poop" spot with signs that read:

"Beware of Cockatiel Poop"

Sheila Wallace ~:}
Budgie Land Aviary
Bullhead City, Arizona

Article Update: I was recently asked how to offer fresh greens if you only have 1 or 2 birds in your home!
Because we live with over a hundred birds in our home and aviary there is always enough wasted seeds to have several poop spots in our garden. Needless to say, our Aviary is open to fresh air and sunshine, so we only clean or scoop up the floors every 2 to 3 months, unless it gets wet from rain or something, then its cleaned right away..

If you only live with one or two birds, you wont have enough wasted material to start this project.. However, I do have a solution (IDEA!) In stead of building a poop spot in the garden you can use "flower pots"! As the seeds sprout and grow pick them just above the roots and offer as a healthy snack! The more flower pots you have the more you'll have to offer your lovely birds.

No recycling needed -the "No" poop solution!
Below is "Sprouts in Jar" Method I just perfected

Offer fresh greens without using the poop from the bottom of the cage!
Simply plant some seeds (the same kind you are feeding your birds) in flower pots with regular potting soil...
Keep moist just as you would for any plants, as they grow pick just above the roots and offer as fresh treat!

Using Tara Cotta flower pots: A healthy treat for your caged bird!
I just finished an experiment using small clay pots to see if my birds would eat the pots and dirt instead of their fresh greens... Well, the Budgies did nibble and dig in the soil but they did not eat or chew up the flower pots themselves. However, this worried me, so if you intend to offer clay pots (or any flower pot for that matter) with fresh sprouts to your caged bird, I highly recommend that everything ( pots & soil) is sterilized before you plant the seeds!

Sterilizing: Simply place the clay pots filled with soil in a hot oven (275-350 degrees) for 20 minutes!
Plastic pots can be washed with soap and water, but you still need to sterilize the soil...

Mold and Mildew: Don't over water the flower pots and soil!
Keep in mind the mold and mildew that forms when the soil is kept to moist could be harmful for your birds and throw it out if it becomes stinky... I wouldn't eat it! ~ would you ??

"Don't forget the Sunflowers!"

They are pretty and are a delicious treat, which can be planted outdoors in almost any location! After the sunflowers mature, cut off the heads and put in a safe place to dry.. When they are ready, your birds will have hours and hours of fun tearing it all apart...

~ NEW & IMPROVED ~ Sprout in a Jar
It only gets better! The more time I spend, the better the recipe!
 
{When you see the little white tails "start" to form on the seeds, its done, and ready to feed}
Online Resource: AvianWeb.com ~ Sprouting or Germinating Seeds

ONLINE NUTRITIONAL RESOURCES: Feeding Feathers & Essential Bird

Very Important Note: I originally sprouted until I had long tails on my seeds, up to 3 days, however, I have learned this method is incorrect. By sprouting longer than the example in the second photo you are risking your birds health form contamination, such as ecoli...

** Further More, I learned recently, the highest nutritional value you can get from sprouting,
is when the seeds just start to sprout (as shown above)

Reference: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EssentialBird/
By: Bill Van Patten, Australian hookbill diet
Australian specialty seeds (Mike Fidler's Birds R Us)

** New Information on using Grapefruit Seed Extract -GSE **
DO NOT USE FOR SPROUTING!
http://naturalingredient.org/Articles/takeokagrapefruitseed.pdf

{Read more about Grapefruit Seed Extract}
** GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) is great for cleaning cages,
but DO NOT use for sprouting.. PLEASE!

Bird seed is a DEAD food, however, when they sprout they become a "LIVE" food... Offering your birds fresh sprouts is like giving them a boost of maga vitamins everyday!

We use a "Pigeon Pop"seed blend or "Dove Seed Mix" for sprouting because it contains larger seeds such as milo, peas, corn, wheat and barley... This larger seed mix not only sprouts faster, but there is considerably less waste, and its easier to sprout... When we used a basic cockatiel seed mix for sprouting it seemed that the smaller seeds, namely millet, was left uneaten.. I believe it is just too small for the birds to open and eat the delicious stuff inside... However, since the Pigeon Pop contains much larger seeds, and when simply soaked over night, it is the perfect mix for all our feather friends, even our little budgies will eat almost every morsel.

Our birdies breakfast. Please Note: In the following photos ~ I'm using a small jar and the lid has be cut out for the screen... Now a days, I use large Wide Mouth Mason Jars and regular window screen under the lids! After the sprouts are rinsed well, I add aprox 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons of either mixed (previously frozen) veggies or fresh grated carrots and cut broccoli per bird to the mix before feeding.

Day 1 (The first Jar): Fill a Jar "almost" 1/3 rd full with seeds, top off with warm water, then set aside to soaked over night; from one morning to the next or a minimum of 8 to 12 hours. Then rinse well with warm water. Note: You need to rinse and rinse ~ until the water in the jar is clear ~ if the water is still cloudy, keep rinsing! TRICK: Using jars makes it simple to rinse,simply turn on your facet to full blast and hold the jar up close (right under) the facet, the running water with spin the seeds in the jar. This spinning actions will rinse your seeds very well, with out dumping repeatedly, thus your save lots of water and time! Just hold the jar under the facet and spine the seeds under a full running tape until the water runs clear! It takes only about 30 seconds to a minute!

**New Information on using Grapefruit Seed Extract -GSE ~ DO NOT USE FOR SPROUTING! http://naturalingredient.org/Articles/takeokagrapefruitseed.pdf
{Read more about Grapefruit Seed Extract} GSE is great for cleaning cages, but DO NOT use for SPROUTING.. PLEASE!

Rinsing Note: Rinsing"MUST" be done at least 2-times a day... If you don't rinse often enough, your sprouts will go bad.. They will start to smell and become slimy and stinky, and you can't feed "stinky sprouts" to your birds. I wouldn't eat stinky spouts, would you!

Day 2 (Second Jar): Fill another Jar with seeds and water and set aside until tomorrow, just like the fist jar! Then rinse the first Jar well, and set aside!. Don't forget you must rinse the first jar at least 2-times during the day

Important Note: It's very important to remember that sprouts are a "LIVE FOOD", and just like food we prepare for our own consummation, sprouts feed to your bird(s) can and will spoil in a relatively short time. Thus, its highly recommended that you remove any uneaten sprouts within 3 to 4 hours after being offered to your feathered family.. If left for long periods of time, especially in warmer weather, the uneaten sprouts can develop bacteria such as "ecoli" which we all know can make us and our birds very sick.

Leftover's: Leftovers can be frozen for up to 4 days, however, there is one more trick you need to know! The sprouts need to be dry before you put them in the fridge! You can try using a towel but its been suggested that the sprouts be left out (air dried)! I don't have leftovers very often, yet when I do, I simply put them back into a clean jar and rinse as often as needed and feed the next day. I recently read; using a Salad Spinner will remove almost all the water on your sprouts and then they can be refrigerated immediately without any worries.

Personal Note: I've found by rinsing my sprouting jars more often, 3-4 times a day, the sprouts seem fresher and they seem to sprout faster! Also, the will seeds soak up water in the jars as they sprout; they will double in size, and almost double again as they continue to sprout! This is why I suggest "only" filling your jars 1/3 full. If your jar becomes too full, simply poor the excess sprouts in to another jar and continue the process as I've stated above.

Day 3 (Feeding time): Now its time to disaffect your sprouts! Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to the sprout jars, cover with water, and let rest for about 20 minute, then I rinse well, now its time to add the veggies!
Add -> your birdies favorite mixed veggies (a 5 mix-frozen vegetables work too) - apples, peas & carrots or fresh grated carrots and broccoli, dark leafy greens too, are all a good choice to add to your your cockatiels daily meal...

Today I added fresh chopped greens to my sprout mix:
{Romaine Lettuce, Fresh Carrots, a Bell Pepper, and Brussels Sprouts}
finally chopped using a simple hand crank "salsa maker"
"Salsa Maker - Manual Food Processor"

Remember, diversity is the key to healthy and happy birds!
 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me...
{When you see the little white tails "start" to form on the seeds, its done, and ready to feed}

Very Important Note: I originally sprouted until I had long tails on my seeds, up to 3 days, however, I have learned this is incorrect. By sprouting longer than the example in the second photo, you are risking your birds health form contamination, such as ecoli...

** Further More, I learned recently, the highest nutritional value you can get from sprouting,
is when the seeds just start to sprout (as shown above)

Reference: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EssentialBird/
By: Bill Van Patten, Australian hookbill diet
Australian specialty seeds (Mike Fidler's Birds R Us)

** New Information on using Grapefruit Seed Extract -GSE **
DO NOT USE FOR SPROUTING!
http://naturalingredient.org/Articles/takeokagrapefruitseed.pdf

{Read more about Grapefruit Seed Extract}
** GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) is great for cleaning cages,
but DO NOT use for sprouting.. PLEASE!



Rock, our little dove, often EATS his spouts before I add the veggies..


Some photos of our feathered family enjoying their fresh garden green

Our Budgies go absolutely crazy for fresh wheat grown from recycled seeds in the garden