Pollen Mix=White Dry Powder Mix
Be sure it is dry, reasonably soft and fluffed. If in doubt, throw in compost and give them fresh. This is in front of our birds all the time.
Nectar=Liquid Food Mix
Use 100 ML (approx 1/2 cup) of warm water and mix in 10 grams (approx 1 heaping tablespoon) of Nectar mix or Nekton powder. REMEMBER - MORE is not better. As you pour into crocks, stir occasionally because solids will settle to bottom and the last servings will be thicker than need be. Leave a few cheerios on top.
Mix in one small scoop (scant 1/4 cup) of Fruit Cocktail in each crock. Try to mix fruit but not too many pears as they will only waste it. They enjoy the peaches the most. Most love fresh bananas and grapes.
Never pour fresh nectar into the old nectar. It should be thrown in compost. It spoils and curdles int he heat of day.
In the early evening pull the wet bowls and wash in dishwasher. Give another feeding of nectar. Again, stir to disolve, stirring while you pour. No fruit cocktail is necessary at this feeding.
I make sure they have plenty of fresh powder (pollen) because they will survive a missed feeding of nectar (but not everything!). KEEP BEES OUT OF YOUR AVIARY!
Water
Very important for bathing more than anything. The very large crocks on the floor can be used if the weather is extremely hot. Hose out and fill from the hose. Water dishes should be filled AM & PM. Watch out for slimy bowls either rinse well or use a new bowl.
Fruit
1/4 apple to single birds
1/2 apple to a pair of birds
If there is old appli in cage, throw in compost. Don't worry about the waste. They have finicky days and/or the apple could be pithy or tasteless.
Bread
optional only! Also like angelfood cake
1/2 slice to all lories (Wheatberry or rye/pumpernickel)
Corn on the Cob and Millet
Cut each ear into 4 pieces, each lory cage gets 1 piece also give one spray of millet. Use your judgement here. If some are continually not eating any of the above, then don't give it to them for a day or two. Blue Streak lories are very picky. If not eating try small amounts of fruit cocktail.
Red lories and paired Green Napes like millet. Again, if you see something wasted every day, then stop.
RECIPES
POLLEN MIX
6 parts - pancake mix
1 part - cornmeal
1 part - powdered sugar (1XX)
1 part - baby cereal, rice
1 part - crushed (powdered) bee pollen
1 tablespoon Vitamin E
1 tablespoon Vionate or other water soluble MultiVitamin, thoroughly mix all dry ingredients, feed dry
NECTAR
1 - 4 lb bag of USA blend sugar or very fine sugar
1 - box HI-Protein baby cereal
1 - cup protein powder (profuel VANILLA)
1/4 malted milk mix (carnation)
1/4 bee pollen
1 tablespoon vitamin E
1 tablespoon Multivitamin (for example-Nekton S or Vionate), grind all up in a food processor or blender, keep dry until mixed as above
HANDREARING TIPS
1-2 weeks, 90 degrees, 2:1 ratio
3 weeks, 85 degrees, 3:1 ratio
4 weeks, 82 degrees, 4:1 ratio
5 weeks, 80 degrees
6 weeks, 78 degrees
thereafter use good common sense-comfortable room temp
For more information on Harraden�s Habitat and their lories, please E-Mail Ernie and Lisa at [email protected] and be sure to leave your E-Mail address for a reply.
