Harrison Birdie Bread

Birdie Crack

Parrots just can’t get enough millet and their people are rationing it out.  That’s why we nickname millet “Birdie Crack”.  But once you read on you will not feel so terrible when your Parrot over indulges now and again.

Millet belongs to a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown as cereal crops or grains for both human food and livestock.  Its short growing season does well under the dry, high-temperature conditions in the semi-arid tropics of North Africa, India and Asia.

Millet is an ancient grain, with a mildly sweet flavour, that is gluten-free and high in fiber.  It is tasty, soothing, and contains a myriad of beneficial nutrients such as iron, B vitamins; including niacin, folacin, thiamin, and riboflavin, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc and essential amino acids methionine, lecithin, and some vitamin E.  Proso millet, commonly used for bird feed, has the highest protein content of all varieties.  It contains 15% protein and can provide a complete protein source when combined with legumes.

Millet is highly alkaline, making it easily digestible, soothing to the stomach and one of the least allergenic foods.  This makes millet a good food choice if you ever have concerns about food allergies contributing to your bird’s poor health or possibly causing them to pluck.

Millet is rich in photochemicals including phytic acid, believed to lower cholesterol, and phytate that is associated with reducing cancer risks.  

Millet is not just for Parakeets and small Parrots.  The benefits are so great that one should consider adding cooked hulled millet to a daily fresh vegetable mix.  Simply rinse and cook just like rice with 2-1/2 times water.  Start uncovered for 5 minutes to bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.  Try adding freeze dried vegetables when it is still moist. 

Or cook it with organic apple juice, instead of water, topping it off with non-sulfated dried fruit, pomegranate seeds, pepitas and chopped nuts. Allow it to completely cool before serving.  And of course there is also Harrison Bird Food Millet & Flax Birdie Bread for the larger Parrots to enjoy.

Next time you are looking for a nice healthy treat for your Parrot try Millet.