cooking beans

[Michellew]

I heard that some beans unless cooked very well can be harmful to birds…. So I was wondering how do you know if you have cooked them long enough? I soaked some overnight and am now wondering how long I should cook them, I got an 18 bean mix but don’t really want it to get to the soup stage.
Thanks
Michelle

[danforth3]

I cook the beans until soft and mushy. I know they are done at that point.

[peeker]

I throw on some brown rice at the same time, so I guess about 45-50 minutes for each. :)

[LissaKokoKiwiKaseySam]

I cook mine until they can be pierced with a fork without falling apart..simmering for about 20 minutes or so...my fids prefer them this way to mushy..

[peeps]

i use a recipe i got from a breeder i bought quakers from last year. the recipe is on the parents diet info. at www.exoticflock.com.

cathy

[Unfeathered Mom]

Originally Posted by Michellew

I heard that some beans unless cooked very well can be harmful to birds…. So I was wondering how do you know if you have cooked them long enough? I soaked some overnight and am now wondering how long I should cook them, I got an 18 bean mix but don’t really want it to get to the soup stage.
Thanks
Michelle

Wow i'm glad i took a minute to read these posts i've never heard that you need to really cook the beans. :aiwebs_01 As of late i've only cooked for a short time thinking my little ones preferr them alittle more on the crunchy side. I haven't seen any Ill effects.

[Michellew]

well thats just what I had heard on another board, I will see if I can find the posts again and maybe copy and paste it here, they did talk about why some beans could be harmful... I was quite suprised to hear it myself, thats why I thought I would ask here what you guys do.. :icon_mrgr

these are copied and pasted from another board I go too... (hope this is ok to do :aiwebs_01 )

*Yes, I believe it is soy, lima and kidney beans that have a harmful enzyme which has to be deactivated by cooking. *
and
* One more caution, in addition to the one about potatoes, I always make sure beans are well cooked also. I don't really know if all beans must be cooked to be safe but I have read several places that we must be careful of limas. They for sure should be well cooked. Since I'm not that positive, I just make sure all the beans mine get are cooked. *

and lastly.....
*Lima beans (which are also known as Java beans) The following two sites say that sprouted lima beans are poisonous because they contain an enzyme which must be deactivated by cooking.
www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww14eiv.htm
www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww26e.htm
(They also say the same for sprouted navy, kidney and soya beans)

The following site says raw lima beans are poisonous.
www.iaparrot.com/contentid-3.html