How to Cook Beans for Birds

Beans or legumes are a good source of fiber, protein and carbohydrates for birds, though they must be cooked or else their enzymes will prevent protein assimilation. If possible, use a variety of protein-rich, organic, dried beans such as black-eyed peas, lentils, haricot, lima beans and garbanzo beans. With the correct method, you can cook the beans for bird food and store it for several weeks in your freezer.

Things You'll Need

  • Dry, organic beans
  • Pot
  • Paper towels
  • Baking sheet
  • Chopped vegetables (optional)
  • Freezer bags
  • Vacuum sealer
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Soak whatever beans you want to use overnight in a bowl. Use at least 1 cup of beans, but you can use more if you have many birds or want to make a portion in bulk for feed for several days or weeks.

    • 2

      Rinse the beans the next morning to make sure they are free from any dirt or debris; then add them to a pot of boiling water.

    • 3

      Boil the beans until they are tender. The time will vary depending on the type of bean, but plan on boiling for around twenty minutes.

    • 4

      Drain the beans when they are finished cooking and spread them out on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to cool and dry.

    • 5

      Add additional ingredients to a large bowl, according to your preference. This is strictly optional, but you can add additional ingredients such as chopped vegetables, brown rice or quinoa.

    • 6

      Add the beans to the bowl and mix thoroughly.

    • 7

      Feed your bird the bean bird feed or package the mixture into vacuum-sealed bags or freezer bags. The mix will keep for several weeks in the freezer.