Freeze Dried Fruit Blend

Freeze-drying is a method in which food is first frozen and then dried under vacuum by sublimating the ice (turning it directly from solid to vapor). Foods made this way are called freeze-dried.

[Why do we recommend it?]
Pellets were once commonly recommended to make up about 70% of the diet, but that view has been shifting. Today, many recommend keeping pellets around 30% and making 70% or more of the diet from whole foods—vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, coconut, and mealworms.

A range of expert opinions and research in Europe and North America has fueled a growing movement among some bird keepers to reduce pellet ratios and favor whole foods.

Many people find it burdensome to buy several kinds of organic whole foods every day and prepare them (washing and chopping). In those cases, freeze-dried foods are a practical alternative.

[Nutritional value of freeze-drying]
Freeze-drying can retain about 95% of a food’s original nutrients. If fresh produce is considered 100%, only about 5% is lost. Recent advances also allow these foods to be made without additives, and because little heat is used, nutrient and flavor loss is minimal. Color, aroma, and nutritional value are well preserved, so you can feed with confidence.

[Palatability]
Individual responses vary, but we’ve received many reports of birds that dislike fresh vegetables enjoying the texture of freeze-dried foods. Birds often need time to recognize a new item as “food,” so introduce it gradually. Try offering it powdered or lightly moistened to find what your bird prefers.

Suitable for a wide range of birds including finches, small parrots, medium parrots, large parrots, and pigeons.
It can also be given to lories and lorikeets.
Other small animals may also be able to enjoy it, but please check the ingredients and use your own judgment as the owner.

In bird nutrition, “whole foods” are ingredients that wild birds could obtain in nature—fresh vegetables and fruits, seeds, nuts, herbs, coconut, edible flowers, insects, and items that are soaked or sprouted. In short, foods you can recognize at a glance.

With the exception of processed products such as pellets, supplements, and bird cookies, most of these are considered whole foods. (Seeds count as whole foods, too.)

[How to feed]

For best results, moisten the freeze-dried food before serving. We don’t recommend offering it completely dry.

Reason 1 To help prevent dehydration—because it’s ultra-dry, it can draw water from the body and may increase water intake.

Reason 2 To support enzymes—when kept dry, the natural enzymes in whole foods are largely inactive (dormant). If you want to provide optimal nutrition, adding water may help reactivate enzymatic activity.

Feeding it dry isn’t “wrong,” but this guidance has been updated from a nutritional perspective. Eating comes first—if you do serve it dry, please make sure your bird stays well hydrated.

The following amounts are recommended by experts in Europe and North America:

• Small parrots: 1 tablespoon
• Medium parrots: 2 tablespoons
• Large parrots: 3 tablespoons

Suggested routine
In the morning, aim to offer foods with higher moisture content.

• Breakfast: A variety of fresh, raw whole foods
• Evening: Freeze-dried food

Pellets should make up no more than 30% of the total diet, or be used simply as treats.

Introduce freeze-dried food gradually into daily meals to help your bird get used to vegetables over time.

Tips
Small birds such as finches and budgies (budgerigars) may find the original pieces too large. If so, crush them by hand, place them in a bag and press, or grind them into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.

Our top recommendation is to soak the freeze-dried food to rehydrate it before feeding.

Store at room temperature, away from heat and humidity. Once opened, use promptly; reseal the zipper closure tightly or transfer to an airtight container. For reference, our team keeps them in airtight jars from IKEA.

This product is blended with a variety of fruits from Karen's Natural. All ingredients are Non-GMO and contain no additives, preservatives, or sweeteners.

Freeze-dried organic strawberries*, Freeze-dried organic peaches*, Freeze-dried grapes, Freeze-dried organic pineapples*, Freeze-dried organic bananas*, Freeze-dried organic blueberries*, Freeze-dried organic mangos*, Freeze-dried organic cherries*.

* = USDA certified organic ingredient

・Excellent antioxidant balance
・Rich in vitamins C, A (precursors), K, B6, and folate
・Good source of minerals such as potassium and magnesium
・Contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber to support gut health

June 2026

Please consume as soon as possible after opening, regardless of the best-by date.

Q: Will fruit make my bird gain weight?
A: No. In sensible portions, the natural sugars in fruit won’t cause weight gain. Fruit also provides valuable nutrition and enrichment.

Q: I was told my [parrot species] shouldn’t eat fruit.
A: Some species don’t need large amounts, but all parrots benefit from a modest amount of fruit.

Q: Are there seeds in the fruit, and is that safe?
A: Yes, and it’s safe. The fruit seeds used in this blend are non-toxic to birds.

Q: I’ve heard that [specific fruit] isn’t suitable for birds.
A: All fruits in this blend are safe for birds. If any species has special restrictions, please see the “Species” section above.

Q: Store-bought fruit has been bred to be higher in sugar. Isn’t that unsuitable for birds?
A: Heirloom or wild-type fruit would be ideal, but it’s hard to source. Most foods—vegetables, many seeds (like millet, quinoa, and chia), and pellet ingredients—are cultivated varieties. If you avoided everything selectively bred, your bird’s options would be very limited. In moderate portions, cultivated fruit is better than none. Please refer to the “Feeding Amount” section above.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets maximum “defect action levels” for incidental insect matter, and those limits vary by food type and manufacturing process. Because this product uses pesticide-free ingredients and contains no additives, incidental insects may occasionally be present. Insects associated with produce or herbs (i.e., whole foods) are a natural source of animal protein and are generally not harmful to birds; however, please remove them if you prefer. Returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for issues related to incidental insects.