A conure chop is a mixture of ingredients that provide nutritional value and enrichment for pet conures. Conures are small to medium sized parrots that are popular as pets. A chop provides variety to their diet and allows owners to combine components that offer complete nutrition for their birds in an easy to serve format. When making a chop, it is important to include ingredients that offer protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. The exact ingredients can be tailored to the individual bird’s preferences. Below is more detail on what makes up a nutritious conure chop.
Quality Protein Sources
Protein is essential for conures to support muscle maintenance, feather growth and egg production in breeding hens. Good options for protein include:
- Cooked beans – try black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils
- Cooked quinoa
- Hard boiled egg
- Diced chicken breast
- Shredded turkey
- Lean beef
- Tofu
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Insect protein like mealworms
Aim to include one or two protein sources in each chop. Beans, quinoa, egg, chicken and turkey are great staples. Lean red meats can be used more sparingly due to their saturated fat content.
Whole Grains
Whole grains provide important carbohydrates, fiber and B vitamins. Some healthy whole grain options are:
- Cooked brown rice
- Whole grain or sprouted pasta
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Whole wheat bread cubes
- Sprouted grain bread cubes
Mix in one or two whole grain ingredients in each chop. Brown rice, quinoa and whole wheat pasta make excellent choices.
Vegetables
Vegetables add vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. They also provide moisture to balance out dry ingredients. Some veggies that can be included are:
- Sweet potato
- Carrots
- Red bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Green beans
- Leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard
- Zucchini
- Peas
- Corn
- Green peas
Aim for a variety of colors to provide a range of nutrients. Fresh or frozen vegetables can be used. Lightly steam tougher veggies to soften them up. Dice vegetables into bite sized pieces for conures.
Fruits
Fruits offer natural sugars, vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Some fruits that can be included in moderation are:
- Berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
- Melons – cantaloupe, honeydew
- Mango
- Papaya
- Apple
- Banana
- Kiwi
Fruits are high in natural sugars so they should be limited to avoid excess calories. One or two types of fruit is enough per serving. Dice into bite size pieces.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats provide essential fatty acids and help absorb fat soluble vitamins. Options include:
- Ground flax or chia seeds
- Finely chopped walnuts
- Diced avocado
- Salmon
- Olive or coconut oil
- Full fat Greek yogurt
Just a small amount of healthy fat is needed in each chop. Good sources are flaxseed, walnuts, avocado and olive oil.
Supplements
For balanced nutrition, many conure owners add supplements to their chops. Some beneficial supplements are:
- Powdered calcium supplement
- Powdered multivitamin
- Probiotics
- Brewer’s yeast
- Spirulina
- Nutritional yeast
Follow label directions for dosage amounts. Calcium and a multivitamin help provide complete nutrition. Probiotics support digestive health.
Foraging Add-ins
Adding some foraging ingredients provides enrichment. Options include:
- Chopped nuts in the shell like almonds or walnuts
- Whole oats
- Unsalted popped popcorn
- Edible flowers like pansies, nasturtiums, roses
- Chopped pitted dates or figs
- Whole fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill
Nuts in the shell encourage natural foraging behavior. Dried fruits, herbs and flowers add diversity.
Avoid These
Some ingredients should be avoided when making a conure chop:
- Onions and garlic – can cause anemia
- Avocado skin and pit – contains persin toxin
- Salt
- Sugar
- Processed meats like bacon or deli meats
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
Onions, garlic, avocado pits and skins, salt and sugar can all be harmful. Avoid any processed or junk foods.
Sample Combinations
Here are some sample combinations for healthy conure chops:
Tropical Chop
- 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup diced mango
- 2 tbsp chopped kale
- 1 tbsp finely chopped walnuts
- 1 tbsp brown rice
- 1 diced strawberry
- Sprinkle of nutritional yeast
Southwest Chop
- 1/4 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 tbsp cooked black beans
- 2 tbsp diced sweet potato
- 1 tbsp corn
- 1 tbsp diced red bell pepper
- 1 tsp chopped cilantro
- Pinch of spirulina powder
Italian Herb Chop
- 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 tbsp cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp canned chickpeas
- 1 tbsp baby spinach
- 1 diced strawberry
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1 basil leaf
- Pinch of oregano
Get creative and come up with your own combinations!
Making the Chop
Follow these steps for assembling conure chops:
- Prep all ingredients – cook any grains, beans or protein, dice any vegetables or fruits into bite size pieces, measure any supplements or foraging ingredients
- In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except foraging add-ins
- Top with any foraging ingredients like whole nuts or seeds
- Portion into a resealable container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days
- When ready to serve, scoop some onto a plate for your conure
Chops can be made in batches and portioned out over several days.
Ingredient Type | Examples | Amount per Serving |
---|---|---|
Quality protein | Chicken, beans, quinoa, egg | 1 – 2 tablespoons |
Whole grain | Brown rice, whole wheat pasta, barley | 1 – 2 tablespoons |
Vegetables | Sweet potato, kale, bell pepper, zucchini | 1 – 3 tablespoons |
Fruit | Berries, mango, apple, kiwi | 1 tablespoon |
Healthy fat | Chia seeds, walnuts, avocado | 1/2 – 1 teaspoon |
Supplements (optional) | Calcium, multivitamin, probiotic | Per package instructions |
Foraging add-ins | Whole nuts, seeds, dried fruits | Sprinkle on top |
Storing and Serving
Here are some tips for storing and serving conure chops:
- Store chopped ingredients in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days
- For longer storage, chops can be frozen for 2-3 months
- Thaw frozen chops overnight in the fridge before serving
- Serve chops at room temperature
- Provide fresh chop in a clean bowl daily
- Clean bowls thoroughly to prevent bacterial growth
- Discard any uneaten chop at the end of the day
Always practice good food safety and hygiene when making and serving chops.
Benefits of Conure Chops
Feeding conure chops has many benefits including:
- Increased diet variety and enrichment
- Exposure to new textures, flavors and colors
- Encourages foraging behaviors
- Supports healthy digestion
- Boosts overall nutrition
- Convenient way to provide balanced diet
- Customizable based on bird’s preferences
Chops are a nourishing and stimulating way to feed conures. Work with your avian vet to formulate recipes that meet your individual bird’s needs. With some planning and prep, chops make it easy to give your conure a diverse and wholesome diet. Your bird will enjoy digging into chop combinations each day.
Conclusion
A conure chop is a mixture of ingredients blended together to provide complete and balanced nutrition for pet conures. It should contain a quality protein source, whole grains, vegetables, limited fruit and a small amount of healthy fats. Supplements like calcium and probiotics can help round it out. Allowing some whole nuts, seeds or other pieces encourages natural foraging behaviors. Chop components can be varied to create novelty. Store chops properly in the refrigerator and provide fresh daily. Conure chops are a convenient way to improve nutrition and enrichment for these active, intelligent parrots. Work closely with an avian vet to formulate recipes tailored your bird’s needs and preferences.