Since many of the nibble rings available on the market are more suited to the needs of rodents and are therefore usually much too large, it is advisable to simply make them yourself for the budgies.
Recipes for snack rings
Instead of flour or starch, psyllium husks are used for binding. These do not consist of carbohydrates, but almost exclusively of dietary fiber. In combination with water, these swell strongly and form a kind of gel, similar to chia seeds.
Accessories needed
To make the nibble rings, you will of course need a suitable baking tin and for the measurements in the recipe it is also advisable to use suitable measuring spoons.
Thin leather straps are best for hanging the nibble rings.
- Silicone donut mold (approx. Ø 7cm)
- Measuring spoon
- Leather strap (for hanging)
Basic recipe
The basis for most herb or nibble rings is a mixture of herbs and grains.
This mixture contains a high proportion of various grass seeds as well as natural herbs, such as dandelion, red clover, chickweed, rib wort .
Ingredients:
The amount of ingredients in the basic recipe makes a nibble ring with a diameter of 7cm.
- 3 TBSP budgies herb variety (Mixerama) or other grain mixture
- 1 TBSP Ground psyllium husks
- 2 TBSP Water
Preparation:
- Add psyllium husks to the water and stir
- This approx. 15 min. sources let
- Add grain mixture and herbs, if desired, and mix well
- Pour the mixture into a donut mold (Ø 7cm) andpress down lightly
- Then place the donut mold on the rack in the oven
- Cook at 120°C (convection oven) for approx. 30min. dry let
- Let nibble ring cool and then carefully remove from mold
- Then put this back in the oven without the mold (wet side up)
- Then cook again at 120°C (convection oven) for approx. 30min. dry let
- Allow the finished nibble ring to cool and attach a leather strap to it if necessary.
By using psyllium husks, the snack rings do not have to be baked, but only dried. A lower temperature (90°C) would also be possible for this, as long as the time (2 x 60min) is adjusted accordingly.
Herbs – nibble ring
The herbal nibble ring also contains a mixture of herbs, which are a natural and healthy food supplement.
- Chickweed
- Nettle
- Dandelion
- Yarrow
- Ribwort
- Parsley
- Bird’s Knotweed
- Horsetail
Ingredients:
- 2 TBSP Budgies herb variety (Mixerama) or other grain mixture
- 1 TBSP Budgie flower mix with herbs (Birds & More)
- 1 TBSP Ground psyllium husks
- 2 TBSP Water
Moult – Nibbling Ring
The moult nibble ring also contains various individual herbs, which contain important nutrients for plumage formation :
- Field horsetail: rich in silica
- Ribwort: silicic acid and sulfurous amino acids
- Chickweed: Minerals & Vitamins
Ingredients:
- 2 TBSP Primus base (Claus) or other grain mixture
- 1 TBSP Field horsetail
- 1 TBSP Ribwort
- 1 TBSP Chickweed
- 1 TBSP Ground psyllium husks
- 2 TBSP Water
Megabacteriosis – ring
Since budgies with megabacteriosis must not be fed foods containing sugar or starch, ground psyllium husks are a suitable binding agent for this very purpose.
The grain mixture also contains herbs that have an expectorant, antibacterial and germicidal effect and should relieve the discomfort:
- Thyme
- Fennel
- Oregano
- Basil
Ingredients:
- 3 TBSP Budgies Sensitive (Mixerama)
- 1 TBSP Ground psyllium husks
- 2 TBSP Water