Magnificent, marvelous (and messy) mash

We’re trying to up the birds’ veggie/fruit intake. It can be time consuming chopping produce every day – so I finally made a few batches to freeze. I made three kinds so I can alternate flavors every day. mashWhat did I put in the mash? Zucchini, carrots, summer squash, peas, basil, kale, spinach, green beans, red bell pepper, apple, blueberry, peach, sweet potato, red lentils and brown rice (all organic, of course!). One batch got a little sprinkle of turmeric. I threw some of their Harrison’s pellets in, too. allThe budgies came running when I put the plate down. But after a couple test nibbles, they ignored the mash. I think they need to get used to the look of the stuff. I put a little brown rice on top and that did the trick. They started to chow down – the budgies LOVE brown rice. Not sure if they’re eating anything else on the plate… lLera enjoying her mash. Lera’s made a couple visits to the vet recently. She had a fluid filled lump above her vent (they withdrew the fluid) and blood in her droppings. Very scary. We still don’t know what’s wrong with her. But after a few days on antibiotics, she seems to have rallied. She’s a fighter. I’m hoping all the veggies will help her liver detoxify, if that’s what’s causing her illness (she does have some of the symptoms for that).sSunny is a dainty eater. Alfie’s face was covered in mash. All his photos were a blur because the little guy is always in motion.oAnd here’s Ozzie. I hope the budgies will grow to love their mash. Why wasn’t I making this all along?? Such a time saver!

A day in the life of Alfie

Well, some of it anyway.

Alfie loves to eat. Here he is “helping” me fill the feeders for breakfast.1Always with the food on the face.2I’m not sure which Alfie loves more – food or his bells. He gets anxious when we take the bells out to clean them.3Making sure Harry did a good job.4Playtime!5A little grooming…6Proofreading Cooper’s Corner. Alfie likes to sit on my hand when I type – I’m getting pretty good at typing “budgie style”. 7WOW! Look at all that lettuce (an Alfie favorite). Alfie is always the first one to the food.8 Alfie also loves baths. He is a budgie of many passions.9Recharging his budgie batteries. 10…and ready to go! 11Here’s a clip of our little Alfiebug in action:

Holiday Cheer

The budgies made quite a haul this holiday season!

We bought the budgies some new footie toys. Although they’re kind of big for footie toys…mh1From their Uncle Polt, seed treats (I just set them on the bottom of the cage, for mult-budgie access), polt2and this great rope toy (Ozzie’s favorite).polt1From the budgies’ Uncle Adam, a gift card (which will buy some great toys and millet)!adam2And Adam sent me this amazing picture of all our beautiful budgies. I love it so much!adam1From Uncle David – more treats!daveSay, how do you open these anyway?dave2From Erin, Duckie and Sailor – these adorable budgie socks. Parakeet perfection!erin1And for the budgies, vine balls stuffed with crinkle paper. The budgies went NUTS over them.e2e3e4From Susan and her flock, this beautiful wine glass with budgie charm (which filled in as Cooper’s Christmas tree topper) and a budgie to-do list to keep me on my toes.susanThe budgies (and I) are so lucky to have such wonderful, thoughtful friends. You all made our Christmas cheerful and bright. We hope you all had as happy a holiday season as we did. Love to all the Cooper’s Corner readers!
XOX, the flock