FINCHforum

I made a small batch, since it was my first time and my birds had never had it before:

1 hardboiled egg

1 TBSP Miracle Meal

1/4 tsp powdered kelp

1 tsp Insect Supreme

1 tsp Health Greens

1/2 tsp water

First I mashed the egg with a fork into small pieces.
Then I added in the other ingredients and used my trusty fork to further blend and mash the mixture into tiny morsels.
Have to say it was rather tedious and took a few minutes by fork, but I was motivated by thoughts of how beneficial it will be for my birds!
..I am seriously considering getting a garlic press as some of you have mentioned!

Yes! I need a garlic press too. Smashing with a fork gets tiresome!
You can also pulse a couple times with a food processor. That works well too. (I just do the fork because I usually do small batches and cleaning the food processor takes up all the time I would have saved in most cases!)

If you make a big batch you can freeze the extra. It freezes really well. I just pop the tupperware into the fridge 1 day before I need it thawed.

You can also add in handfeeding formula if you happen to have some on-hand. Handfeeding formula has all sorts of great vitamins and nutrients.
It makes it drier and crumblier, which they seem to really like and it's wonderful when you have nestlings and/or fledglings.
I started doing the handfeeding formula as it's only good for so long and I don't hand raise lots of birds. (And with the container I have, I could raise a few dozen finches!) It would take me years to use it all and it would go off long before that, so I just use up the formula powder in the eggfood.

Did you include the eggshells?
They're great to include!
A trick for eggshells: the membrane tends to hold the little shell bits together and my guys won't eat them that way. So you can microwave the shells for about 40 sec for 3 shells; a bit longer for more. That causes the membrane to dry up and large portions will bubble up and pull away from the shell, making it easy to remove the membrane. They also seem to break up into smaller bits after being microwaved.

Alternatively, some people pop the entire eggshell in there as-is and they break off pieces. My guys won't touch it unless it's tiny, tiny bits.

I use a food processor since I make big batches of egg food and then freeze it. You might want to try the Ninja Express Chop for small quantities ($20 at Walmart).

Sally
thanks for the hint about the Ninja. Have you ever tried a coffee grinder? I have heard some people recommend that as well.

Derk

Cindy is the one that turned me on to the Ninja Express Chopper. It is actually kind of small for me. I use it mainly for chopping up watery veggies, it is the only thing that will chop up kale for me without turning it to mush. But for someone making small amounts, I think it would be perfect. Would have to watch chopping the egg, as this little gadget needs only a few quick pulses to do the job.

I did try a coffee grinder once, for grinding up my minerals like oystershell grit, but I found it took so long with the amounts I am making. For those with small flocks, I think a coffee grinder would be perfect for grinding up hard materials.

Thanks for all the helpful responses

I don't breed my finches so I don't have hand-feeding formula, but I just might get some for the next batch, for the extra boost of nutrition since most of my birds are going through a molt right now.
I also want to include crushed eggshells next time, and I forgot to toss in some bits of crumbled spray millet. I was also thinking about adding some FeatherFast to the mix for a future batch when they're molting.

I feel lucky my finches took to the recipe I made this time (even my Spice finches were into it by the third time I served it - they weren't interested at first), so from here on out I have nothing but room for improvement!

I love the idea about getting a food processor and/or coffee grinder.
I was surprised at how cumbersome it was to mash one hard boiled egg with a fork - the egg whites were almost like trying to cut up a rubber band with a fork LOL!
$20 for a small food processor would be a great investment for my small flock

So I got a mini food processor and used it to chop up a small batch of mixed veggies for my birds. Love it!!
I made a batch a few weeks ago and cut up the veggies by hand with a small knife into as small of pieces as I could. It was obviously very tedious and time consuming for the yield, and even then most of the pieces were still too large for my finches and canary. It was frustrating watching them try to eat it. They kept picking up pieces, then dropping them because they were too big. With the batch from the chopper, all of it was perfect for tiny little finch beaks to nibble and actually eat and they just loved it! Can't wait to try it on eggfood

Leo519
Which one did you buy? The one Sally suggested?

Derk
No, I had to get a different one because the Ninja Express was sold out at my Walmart.
I got the Farberware Mini Chopper, it was in the same price range ($19 and change).

I recorded the finches eating their first batch of salad made by my new chopper

https://youtu.be/InZVsXW0Slo

Oh the fork.... I thought I'd save time one night and do it that way. I had boiled about two dozen eggs. Let me just tell you that by the second egg the garlic press and the cheese grater had both come back out and were being used.

I've since purchased a food processor. It's amazing. I just blitz everything up together. Just don't overfill it. I was in a hurry the first time and was rather annoyed at myself. It packed tight and wouldn't blend....

Colt
LOL!
and thanks for the tip about not putting in too much - I will definitely remember that when I do my next batch of eggfood!

Leo519
A definite success! Oh, I do hope to get some owls soon.

Derk

Yes my Society and Owl pairs took to it right away! I'm new to Owls, only have two and I got them about two months ago - absolutely adore them!!
You probably already know, but it's true what everyone says how they're a delightful addition to just about any flight/aviary

Leo519
looks pretty good and complete
as per food processors i got 2 at value village. there is a lot of garage sales now too, so you can look around.

I really enjoyed the video clip. They are really chowing down on their veggies. What did you use for veggies? I'm having a difficult time getting mine to eat them.