Trying chop

[blueelephant]

So Barney here is proving quite willing to try new food. Much to my surprise! I was thinking of giving chop a go. I like the idea of preparing and freezing it in ice cube trays and then giving him one each day. I've googled and there appear to lots of chop recipes with veggies, quinoa whole-wheat pasta, cooked beans etc so I should be able to put something together.

Does anyone have any tips for success with chop? 

Does offering it first thing in the morning without having seed available sound sensible? Then putting seed back after an hour or so later? 

Would appreciate any tips people may have.

[tweetiepiesmom]

So great your little Barney is willing to try new foods! First thing in the morning (really its about 8-9am), I remove their seeds and give them chop and grass and fresh water. They eat on that all morning and around noon I put their seeds back in. Since their chop is freeze dried and the grass is grown hydroponic and still has the roots attached, I can leave those in all day.

[yellowfacedviolet]

Atta boy, Barney! It makes life so much easier when one of them can lead the way with new foods.

[blueelephant]

Aug 8, 2020 18:06:53 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

So great your little Barney is willing to try new foods! First thing in the morning (really its about 8-9am), I remove their seeds and give them chop and grass and fresh water. They eat on that all morning and around noon I put their seeds back in. Since their chop is freeze dried and the grass is grown hydroponic and still has the roots attached, I can leave those in all day.

That sounds very  sophisticated! I'm UK based so not sure if buying freeze dried is an option. It's not something I've seen advertised. Do you grow the grass yourself? 

Sprouts is another thing I was wondering about but I am not sure where to start with that.

He has been throwing grated carrot around too. Not sure how much of that actually got eaten 🤣.

[Deleted]

What a little star! It’s so great when they’re that enthusiastic!

I know what you mean about the carrot. One of mine redecorated the cage floor with sweetcorn today.

[Hezz]

Almost anything you can get to sprout is a plus, and most whole seeds will sprout, whether it be bird seed or sprout seeds for human consumption. Just make sure it is rinsed well and doesn't develop any mould.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Yes, I am growing grass. I live in a city so its difficult to find grass in the wild. I think most of the parks are sprayed regularly with pesticides. The first picture is a pot with the grass and a couple of herbs. I'm trying to put more variety in my guys diet. I buy wheat grass in the grocery store. Its grown hydroponically so I can just clip some off for my guys. They really love wheat grass. I'm taking some of my home grown and putting it with the wheat grass to get them started eating it. I have heard from others that freeze dried chop is more difficult to find in the UK. My guys do seem to like it.

My computer is dying, I think. I'm doing this on my tablet which I haven't used very much so I'm practicing posting pictures here. (Lucky you!)