Thistle / Nyjer, Niger

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:16 pm

Since we have a few posts on wild bird seed, I thougt of another. What about thistle or niger or nyjer if thats what you perfer. The seed mix I buy has it and my finches devour the stuff. I have thought about just getting a bag and adding it to the seed I currenty get. Does this come with regular pet finch seed?

Here a link for anyone who wants to read on seeds....
http://www.ebirdseed.com/nyjer_niger_thistle_birdseed.html

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:22 pm

It may be in some mixes, but I've never seen it in any of mine. I've heard it's very oily and fatty. I actually tried to feed my finches some of that stuff when I got some wild seed like that but they wouldn't touch it. I read somewhere on the forum about it going rancid so maybe it was rancid and I didn't know.

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:24 pm

Sorry to hear that. Make me wonder. If I hadn't been using it for a few years I would be concerned. Although it's not a lot they like to dig through and find what they can of it.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:32 pm

HillJack.....I went back to my post about Wild vs Pet Finch seed and I see it listed in the ingredients for the Kaytee Forti-Diet brand.

BeccaFigs Just had to comment on your new Avatar...so cute....he looks like he is wearing a feather skirt...lol!

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:35 pm

If your mix is working out you're right not to be worried. They probably wouldn't eat it if something was wrong with it. Although my birds like to eat anything new that goes in their cages. Like little flying goats.

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:18 pm

beccafigs - I have the same problem with my finches. They eat anything I put in the cage. The only thing they dont eat are the green, blue, or other colored things that come in the regular seed. Go figure

Post by **Sally** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:11 am

Niger is very oily, it is usually the base for tonic seed mixes. Because of the oil content, it does go rancid very quickly. Sometimes, when you buy it locally and it has been on the shelf for a long time, it will already be rancid when you buy it. If I open a bag and it is rancid, I take it back. I did find some at one of these wild bird seed centers that was fairly fresh, and then I keep it in the freezer. I offer it sparingly, as a treat, and some of my birds love it, others couldn't care less.

beccafigs · Post by **beccafigs** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:27 am

Featherharp- You must have posted while I was typing my post, I overlooked what you said. Thanks!! That is Fattycakes. I think that explains why we call him that.

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:40 am

I have never heard of the seed going bad but I can see how. I like the idea of freezing it. Is there any chance of it get freezerburn? Sounds like a silly question to me..I might just spit it up and give half to my finches and throw the rest outside for the wild birds.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:14 pm

I haven't had any problem with freezer burn. Get one of those tube-type bird feeders made especially for feeding niger, with little slots, hand it outside your window, and you will have Goldfinches like crazy.