I woke up really early this morning and decided to make a nice breakfast for myself and the birds. I was in the mood for an omelet and I was plotting how to make the perfect meal to accommodate everyone as I came down the stairs.

Once in the kitchen, I steamed some veggies and warmed up some left over brown rice.  I grated some cheddar cheese, which is something I only offer to my birds on occasion. I beat the eggs while the pan was heating up on the stove.  I was excited. And hungry.

I combined all the ingredient and poured them into the hot pan. It was then that I realized that this was going to be a much nicer breakfast for the birds than for me…the first hint was the egg shells I crushed into the egg mixture.  Well, I had to make a separate breakfast for myself, but the birds really enjoyed theirs.  I wanted to pass along this recipe that they so appreciated:

Veggie Omelet Recipe

*2 eggs with the shells washed, crushed (two eggs is actually too much for my flock 0f 2 larger birds and 5 smaller ones, but I find that two is necessary for use in a 10″ skillet to keep the mixture from spreading too thin)
*steamed veggies (I used broccoli and cauliflower today, but asparagus, grated carrots and green beans work well too.  Sometimes I just crack open a can of mixed veggies…come to think of it, you would be hard pressed to find something that doesn’t work…green and red peppers, cilantro, sprouted mung beans, chopped spinach…bok choy.  Okay, somebody stop me.)
*1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (there are, of course, other cheeses to select from like parmesan)
*1/3 cup warm brown rice (sometimes I add millet or quinoa, cooked or uncooked, instead)
*1 tsp red pepper flakes (a last minute add once I realized I would no longer be sharing this meal)

Combine all and add to a heated skillet coated with cooking spray.  Cook on both sides and let cool thoroughly before serving.

My work schedule has been a bit tough lately, and will only get harder as we get closer to the holidays. I have been experimenting with recipes that include many of the different food groups to make mealtime a little easier for me and even healthier for my birds.  I will share these recipes with you as I develop them and they become bird tested and approved by my flock. I would love to hear your opinions and any adaptations you have to offer.

Author Patty Jourgensen specializes in avian health, behavior and nutrition and has been working with and caring for rescue birds since 1987.