Pancakes for Parrots

[CarolsCritterCare]

~Organic is Better if Possible~
Any organic flour which can be found in any health food store, or, if you are one of the lucky ones, in your grocery store. I like to mix my flours so that I have a combination of grain flour and legume flour.
1-1/4 cup flour
2-1/2 teaspoon baking powder (non-aluminum)
2 tablespoons Sucanat
2 eggs beaten
3/4 cup (6 ounces) organic oat, almond or hazelnut milk
3 tablespoons melted Red Palm or Coconut oil
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or almond extract - optional
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (depending on your preference) - optional
Small to medium acorn or butternut squash
Very generous handful of raw sesame seeds or raw hulled sunflower seeds - optional but very much appreciated by your feathereds
Generous handful of well rinsed uncooked quinoa - optional


Mix flour, baking powder, and any other dry ingredient until thoroughly mixed. Make a well in the center. Pour milk, eggs and extract into well and mix. Add melted oil. Make sure the oil is not hot. Add 1 small to medium acorn or butternut squash pulsed in your food processor. Mix well.

Cook in a lightly greased pan or griddle. I use extra virgin olive oil. Slightly lower heat than you would regular pancakes. This batter is very dense and most probably will not produce the tell-tale bubbles to let you know when to turn over. Depending on the ingredients, I cook approximately 5 to 7 or more minutes per side.

I do not like to substitute fruit juice for the milk, as the fruit juice tends to make the pancakes burn if not carefully watched.

You can experiment around and substitute raw fruits and veggies like broccoli, red or green bell peppers, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale or collard greens or shredded coconut. I always pulse the veggies or apples using my food processor. Do not liquefy. Small chunks are very much appreciated. You can also put a peeled, quarter sized raw ginger root in your veggie or fruit when pulsing. Be careful not to overdo the ginger.

Be creative with your combinations, but always keep in mind that if the pancake does not taste good to you, it will not be welcomed by your parrot as they have very discriminating taste buds too

[CarolsCritterCare]

Raising parrots is much like raising children. In fact, children and parrots are very much alike in many ways. Both go through different stages in their lives. From babies they grow into toddlers, from toddlers to youngsters, from youngsters to adolescents, from adolescents to teens, and from teens to adults.

They each have mood swings, throw temper tantrums, are demanding, push their limits, break the rules, and can make you wonder why you wanted them in the first place. Children and birds can also be loving, sweet, want to snuggle, make you smile when you're sad, make you laugh when you want to cry, be your friend, give you a reason to get up in the morning, and make you wonder how you ever got along without them.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Fatty Liver (Hepatic Lipidosis)
Holly Nash, DVM, MS
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

What is hepatic lipidosis?
Hepatic lipidosis is a disease in which large amounts of fat are deposited in the liver. It is most common in budgies, cockatiels, Amazon parrots, Quaker parrots, lovebirds, and cockatoos. It is a very serious condition, nd death may occur if treatment is not started early in the course of the disease.

There are many possible causes of hepatic lipidosis in birds. These include:
High fat content in diet (all-seed diet)
Too frequent feedings, or eating too much at each feeding
Nutritional deficiencies such as biotin, methionine, and choline
Thyroid disease
Toxins such as lead, arsenic, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, phosphorous, aflatoxins, and ethionine
Hereditary factors
Diabetes mellitus

Birds with hepatic lipidosis generally have a sudden loss of appetite, are lethargic, and depressed. Many are overweight and the liver is enlarged due to the additional storage of fat. This results in a distended abdomen and difficulty breathing. They may have diarrhea and abnormal droppings (green in color). Birds may have poor feather quality. If the liver function is greatly decreased, birds may develop central nervous system signs such as seizures, loss of balance, and muscle tremors. Budgies may have overgrown, soft beaks. Some birds with hepatic lipidosis may develop few signs before they die suddenly.

Results of a physical examination, including the palpation of an enlarged liver often raise suspicion of hepatic lipidosis. The diagnosis can be supported through liver tests, radiography (x-rays), and confirmed through liver biopsy.

Birds with hepatic lipidosis must be placed on a low-fat diet which includes high quality pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is sometimes difficult to get them to eat, so tube feeding may be necessary during the beginning of the treatment. They usually need additional supportive care such as supplemental heat and fluids. Additional medications, such as lactulose, may be given to treat or prevent central nervous system signs.