What Do We Actually Feed Our Patients? A Look Inside the Flock Kitchen

The Flock Kitchen: Where the Magic Happens 🍽️

One of the questions we get asked most often is: what do you actually feed them? The answer is — it depends entirely on the bird! Every species has different nutritional needs, and getting the diet right is one of the most important parts of rehabilitation.

For the Insect-Eaters

Our insectivore patients — things like kōtare (kingfishers), silvereyes, and small fledglings — need a menu that reflects what they'd find in the wild. That means mealworms, wax moth larvae, soldier fly larvae, wingless fruit flies, cricket flour, and kitten food with insectivore jelly and egg. It's a surprisingly complex little spread! We even run our own cricket and locust farm so we have fresh bugs on hand.

For the Waterbirds

Our ducklings and shorebirds get a different setup entirely — chopped greens, native foliage, grains, and shallow water to dabble in. We prep separate bowls for nestlings, fledglings, little duckos, and critical care patients, because each life stage needs something slightly different.

From Kindness

A lot of what ends up in our kitchen comes from the generosity of our community — fresh veges, poultry pellets, kitten food, fruit. Every donation of supplies goes directly to feeding the birds in our care. So if you ever drop something off, just know it genuinely makes it into their bowls. Thank you from all of us — and the birds. 💕

All of this food is powered by community donations. And to see the days it fuels, read behind the scenes at Flock.

Related reading: how community donations keep our birds fed and behind the scenes at Flock.