All Articles are the property of S.G.W.A and are therefore subject to Copy Right- NO unauthorized use permitted.

Article taken from The Softbill Group of WA December 2001 Magazine

 

Text Box: Softbill Group of WA December 2001 " The Diet "                                                                                                By B Robinson   We generally refer to the Softfood mix as " The Diet" although this is by no means the complete diet for Softbills. The following is the diet I use and have in the main used for over 18 years Ingredients: *One Bullocks heart or ox heart. *Eggs - 2 dozen hard boiled - yoke only. *Cheese - kraft - block. (blue box) *Chicken crumble - 2 cups. *Honey. *Bread crumbs. *SA 37 - multi vitamin powder. Mixing: (1) Take half the bullocks heart and trim off as much fat as possible, then mince the heart using a meat mangler. Then using a small amount of bread crumbs (the bread crumbs will help dry the mince) , work the mince into small pieces (about the size of a match head) keep working the mince until all the mince is completely broken up into small pieces, and the mince is dry to touch. Then sift the mince to remove any surplus bread crumbs. (2) Take two cups of chicken crumble and mix in heated honey (not boiled) it should be very runny. Add small amounts as you mix and only add enough so the mix is crumbly and damp, not wet then add to (1) " mix well ". (3) Grate one block of cheese then add to (1) " mix well ". (4) Gently mash two dozen hard boiled egg yokes, make sure you end up with small pieces (match head size) do not mash the eggs to fine, likewise make sure the pieces are not to big, then add to (1) " mix well ". (5) Add two table spoons of SA37 or similar to (1) " mix well ".   (6) You can add more bread crumbs to dry out the mix if necessary as the mix should be crumbly & damp but not wet. Run your hand through the mix and if little or nothing sticks, then your mix is ready. Store you mixture in the fridge in small lots (enough for three to four days only) and freeze the remainder. Always change the mixture in your aviary daily and avoid placing it in direct sunlight as the mix will go hard very quickly. Tips: Tip(1) : Take your time, working the bullocks heart into small pieces as it can be time consuming, but it is important to break it up into small pieces so the birds can consume it. Tip(2): Chicken crumble(Laying Mash) should only be used, as the pieces are the right size for the birds to consume. Do not boil the honey as the birds will not eat the mixture. make sure to add the honey slowly as the chicken crumble should be crumbly and damp but not wet. Tip(3): Grate your block of cheese into relatively small pieces. Tip(4): When you mash your egg yokes, make sure you are left with small pieces (match head size) and do not use the whites. Tip(5): You can use any multi vitamin powder, however I use SA37 and have found it to be an excellent vitamin supplement. Tip(6): If you need to add bread crumbs to dry out the mixture, add small amounts at a time remember to keep checking the mixture with your hand. Tip(7): Your birds will probably not eat the mixture straight away so you will have to be patient, but you must offer the mix every day, and in time they will take to the mixture. Try adding white ants to the mixture on the day you are going to feed your birds, refer to page 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S.G.W.A (c) Softbill Group of WA (c) 2000-2007