Breads & Muffins

Kathy's Easy Bird Bread

This recipe produces a heavy, dense bread that doesn't easily fall apart, making it easier to store and freeze.

• 2 cups baking mix (Bisquick, Jiffy, Aunt Martha, etc.)
• 2 cups white or yellow corn meal
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 3 6-ounce jars of pureed fruit or vegetable baby food, any combination.
• Any additions you choose to include (cheese, chopped fruit or vegetables, nuts, peanut butter, etc.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Heavily grease one 9"x13" cake pan. Mix all dry ingredients together well in large bowl. Add eggs and baby food. Stir until all ingredients are evenly moist. Batter will be very thick and heavy. Pour batter into cake pan. Bake approximately 40 minutes, or until cake pulls away from sides of pan. Cool completely, cut into small cubes. Reserve enough for 2-3 days, and freeze the rest. Thaw as needed.
- Kathy ???

Kathy's Early Bird Bread

• 2 packages of corn bread mix (not sweetened corn muffin mix!)
• frozen vegetable of choice (chopped fresh, or rinsed canned are both OK
• frozen fruit of choice (chopped fresh, or unsweetened canned are both OK)
• hulled raw unsalted sunflower seeds (available at bulk food stores near snacks)
• raisins
• hulled raw millet seed (available at bulk food stores near cereal section)
• fruit juice (orange, apple, etc.) (using more than one kind is OK)
• eggs (1 more than packages call for)

Preheat oven following bread mix instructions. Grease 7" x 10" cake pan. Follow instructions on package for number of eggs used, then add one more egg. Substitute fruit juices for milk required by mix. Add approximately 1/2 cup of hulled sunflower seeds, and approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup each of frozen veggie and frozen fruit. Add handful of raisins. Mix all ingredients together well. Pour into heavily greased 9"x 13" cake pan. Sprinkle small handful of hulled millet seeds over top. Bake until cake pulls away from sides of pan and is golden brown on top (it should be hard on top, but not burned.) Let cool completely, then cut into small (1") cubes. Place cubes and any crumbled pieces in a plastic bag or container, and freeze. To use, just remove one or two cubes and thaw, then crumble up into bird's dish. Vitamins or wheatgrass powder can be sprinkled over the cooled, baked cake. For one bird, this should last several weeks. Use as a treat to supplement the regular diet. In emergencies, this can be served in place of regular food.

For Variety: Try using cooked beans, pasta or dry bird pellets instead of frozen vegetable. Or mix in 1/2 cup of applesauce (reduce other liquid by 1/4 cup). Mix in 1/4 cup of pellets, increase liquid by 1/4 cup to account for pellets absorbing some liquid. Or add 4-6 "fruity ice" cubes (see below), thawed, and 1/2 cup melted peanut butter, to make "PB&J" bird bread!
- Kathy ???

A Great Birdie Bread

• 2 C cockatiel crumbles
• 1 banana
• 1/3 C wheat germ oil*
• 6 eggs--with shell
• 3T pumpkin, yams or squash
• 1/3 C vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 T applesauce or 1/2 apple
• 1 C thawed frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 C cooked dry beans
• 1 C cooked brown rice
• 2 C corn meal
• 4 T baking powder

Food process first 8 ingredients. Add beans & rice and blend til pulverized. Add to cornmeal and baking powder. Mix well. Add water if too thick. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes til done.
*You can find wheat germ oil (for horses) at most feed stores. Freeze the stuff crumbled, zap about 1 T. per bird per day. When they are feeding chicks, double that.
- Source Unknown

Strawberry Pellet Bread

• 3 cups pulverized pellets (food processor is great for this)
• 1 cup of strawberry yogurt
• 1 cup of strawberry jam
• 1 cup of honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 package Bisquick biscuit mix

Mix well. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
- Jeejee@aol.com

Birdie Bread

This is a basically a cornbread recipe, which many birds find irresitable!, with a few modifications. You can make it from scratch or you can take the easy approach by just preparing a box of Jiffy brand cornbread according to the package directions.

• For added calcium, wash the egg really well, then add the egg shell, FINELY crushed, to the batter. [This means you won't be able to share though!]
• For added vitamin A, add a small jar of sweet potato or carrot baby food [check the labels of different brands and compare!] or just add about 1/2 cup mashed yams.
• You can also add finely chopped veggies to the batter, or whatever you like! Broccoli florets and grated carrots work well. You can also add raisins, nuts...get creative! Cook according to recipe instructions. Allow to cool, cut into small cubes, freeze. Thaw as needed.

- Hillary Smith

Basic Birdie Bread

• 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 3 T. baking powder
• 1 tsp. Spirulina
• 2 eggs and shells (puree in blender)
• 4 jars baby food (carrots, sweet potatoes, a fruit, chicken/turkey with rice, noodles, or vegetables)
• 3/4 c. peanut butter
• 2 c. baby cereal (buy lowest percent of iron)
• 1 1/2 c. shredded/chopped veggies (usually carrots or brocolli)

Almost any of the baby foods can be used but choose those with a high Vitamin A content.

Note: - the batter will be hard to mix!! Mix wet and dry ingredients separately. Combine wet and dry ingredients along with shredded/chopped veggies. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray and bake about 30 min. in a 400 degree preheated oven. Cool on rack, cut into squares and freeze in 3 day batches.

Optional additions: Chopped nuts, toasted soybean bits, shredded low fat cheese, dried fruit (small pieces), shaved cuttlebone, toasted sunflower kernels, pureed bananas peeled, pureed fresh mango, papaya or kiwi {reduce number of jars of baby food)
- Source Unknown

Birdie Bread #1

• 3 boxes of JIF cornbread w/ all necessary ingredients.
• Add 1 tablespoon of Spirulina
• Add 1 tablespoon of Wheat Grass
• Add 5 tablespoons of Quiko Egg Food.
• Add 1-2 lbs. of shelled mixed nuts.

Bake as directed on box and add about 5-10 minutes. Watch them go crazy over it. They loved it.
- Debbie Aldridge

Maple & Pecan Corn Bread

• 1 c. flour
• 1 c. cornmeal
• 1/2 t. cream of tartar
• 1 1/4 t. baking soda
• 3 T. butter, softened
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 2 eggs (with shells)
• 1/3 c. pure maple syrup
• 3/4 buttermilk (or sour cream)
• 1 c. chopped pecans

Combine dry ingredients. Set aside. In mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar & eggs; mix well. Add syrup & buttermilk. Stir in dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in pecans. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool for 10 minutes in pan.
-Source Unknown

Zoo Bread

• 3 eggs with shell
• 1/4 lb. fried hamburger (be sure hamburger is cooked thoroughly)
• 2 cups cooked beans
• 1 6oz jar baby food
• 3/4 cup honey or course brown sugar
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered soy milk
• 1 cup corn meal
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 2 cups oatmeal or wheat flakes
• 1/2 cup oat or wheat bran
• 2 tbls. wheat germ oil

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix everything together and divide into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until top of bread is light brown.
- Source Unknown

Cheddar Corn Bread

• 2 boxes corn bread mix and their listed ingredients
• 1 can corn
• 1 can creamed corn
• 1 8oz cheddar cheese

Mix all and bake as directed til done. About 45 mins.
- Source Unknown

Eight Grain Corn Bread

• 2 boxes(8 1/2 oz.) Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• 2 c. Eight Grain Cereal, not cooked
• 1 c. peanut butter
• 4 eggs with shells

Mix ingredients in a large bowl, adding enough water to make a cake-like batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
- Source Unknown

High Protein Corn Bread

• 1 c cornmeal
• 1 c whole wheat flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 c milk
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 2 Eggs (with shells)
• 1 can high protein dog food
• 1/2 c Gerber baby cereal
• 1 jar Gerber mixed vegetables

Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl and add milk, oil, eggs, dog food, and vegetables. Grease baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
- Source Unknown (ed. note: There is some question about the use of dog food for exotic birds, as there is a higher allowable content of certain bacteria (e-coli) in dog food because it doesn't affect a dogs' system in the same way that it would a birds. Please use judgement and caution when using ANY recipe that calls for commercial dog, cat or primate foods. Also, anything that is high protein should not be given to your bird in large quantities, as too much protein can cause kidney damage. Use as only a small PART of a well-balanced diet. (ed. note - again, use judgement and caution when feeding primate food to birds - try to insure that the chow is as fresh as possible, and watch your birds closely for any signs of e-coli infection.- Sandra Dobbs)

Birdie Corn Bread #1

• 1 box of cornbread mix
• 1 extra egg (included shells)
• 1 c. frozen mixed vegitables

Bake as directed. Cut into serving sizes and freeze. Defrost and serve as needed. - Source Unknown

Birdie Corn Bread #2

• 2 c. yellow cornmeal
• 2 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 c. dried milk
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 4 eggs including shells
• 1 c. cooked white rice
• 1 c. monkey chow (soaked)
• 1 c. hulled millet
• 4 c. warm water
• 1 pkg. frozen vegetables

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients. Grease two 9x12" pans and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool and cut into one inch cubes and store in plastic bags. - Source Unknown (ed. note - again, use judgement and caution when feeding primate food to birds - try to insure that the chow is as fresh as possible, and watch your birds closely for any signs of e-coli infection. -Sandra Dobbs)

Pineapple Carrot Bread

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar (can use less)
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup vegetable oil (or 1 c. applesauce)
• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 t. vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon. In another bowl, beat eggs, add carrots, oil, pineapple, nuts & vanilla. Stir moist ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Spoon into 2 greased & floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 65-75 minutes or until loaves test done. Cool 10 minutesin pans before removing to wire racks. Makes 6 mini loaves, if baked in Baker's secret pans at 325 degrees takes 35-40 minutes.
- Source Unknown

Birdie Banana Nut Bread

• 3.5 c. flour
• 2 t. cream tartar
• 1.5 t. baking soda
• 2/3 c. applesauce (or 2 apples chopped finely)
• 1 1/3 c. sugar
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 2 c. ripe mashed bananas
• 1 c. chopped baby carrots
• 2 c. pecans
• 1 jar baby food, winter squash or sweet potato (optional)

Bake 350 for about 30-33 min makes 6 mini loaves or approx 1 hour for 2 large loaves
- Source Unknown

Birdie Apricot Nut Bread

• 1 c. snipped dry apricots
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 T. soft butter
• 1 egg
• 3/4 c. orange juice
• 2 c. flour
• 1 t. cream of tartar
• 3/4 t. baking soda
• 3/4 c. chopped nuts

Soak apricots in warm water for 30 minutes. (optional) Cream together sugar, butter & egg. Stir in orange juice. Combine flour, baking soda & cream of tartar. Drain apricots well; add to batter. Stir together. Add nuts. Pour into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min or until bread tests done. Cool ten minutes in pan before removing to wire rack. If use mini loaf pans makes 4 loaves & Baker's Secret pans 28 minutes. A double recipe yields 7 loaves at 325 degrees for 33 min in Baker's Secret pans.
- Source Unknown

Birdie Pumpkin Bread

• 3 c. sugar plus bit of molasses
• 1 c. vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 16 oz. canned pumpkin
• 3 1/2 c. flour
• 2 t. soda
• 1/2 t. ground cloves
• 1 t. each cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg
• 2/3 c. water
• 2 c. nuts (optional)

Mix sugar, oil & eggs together. Add pumpkin, then add dry ingredients then water, stirring until just mixed. Pour batter into 2 greased & floured loaf pans. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour, or makes 6 mini loaves in 40 minutes
- Source Unknown

William's pancakes

• 2 serving of pancake mix
• 2 extra egg shells(just the shell)
• 2 dashes petamine
• 1 handful of any kind berrys

Cook into mini-pancakes. Dont eat your birds food! Add fruit if you got em!!
- William ???

Birdie Apple Cinnamon Muffins

• 3 c. flour
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 t. cream tartar
• 3/4 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. orange peel
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. finely chopped apple
• 1 c. french vanilla yogurt
• 2 eggs, beaten

Mix all together. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3rds full. Makes 22 muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. 325 degrees for Baker's Secret pans. Afer baking, brush tops of warm muffins with melted butter & then dip in mixture of 1/2 t. cinnamon & 1/3 c. sugar.
- Source Unknown