Nutrition of Millet?

[beachbird]

I have two society finches and four babies 13 days old. I have read that millet has little nutritional value but my birds just love it. Does anyone have information on how much I should be giving them daily? They also will eat spinach all day. Should I limit their intake of that? Thanks

[30 Seconds to Bob]

My opinion is that spray millet is a useful "supplement" to a bird's diet and is especially helpful in weaning baby birds. Most birds find it irresistible. It is easy to consume and is high in carbs for quick energy. (It is also sold in health food stores for humans.) As long as your baby birds are getting (and eating) more nutritionally complete foods such as egg food, a millet spray every day or two should be fine. I always provide it to aid in weaning baby birds. I wouldn't overdo it with the spinach, though. Mix in some other greens and veggies as well. Bob

[debbie276]

Here's a link that may be helpful showing the nutrition of millets
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/millet.html

[Sally]

To me, spray millet is like candy, a nice supplement but not to be overdone, except when breeding birds have babies. Many of my birds eat the spray millet when feeding babies, and it is one of the first foods the fledglings will try, along with eggfood. Spinach is one of those foods that should be fed in moderation--a variety of veggies is best. Here is a link to an article on safe and unsafe foods.

[beachbird]

Thanks for all of your help. I do give them other vedgies. I will be careful not to give too much spinach. I was raised with Popeye so spinach seems like a super food. Lol

[ac12]

beachbird
Go to the FIC on the left.
It has a discussion of various foods.
As I recall spinach was one to give in moderation because it had a side effect. I do not recall what the side effect was, maybe it slowed down calcium absorbtion, I don't remember, you have to look and see.

[debbie276]

Here's a couple links that may be of help to you.

Nutrients & Their Sources
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php

This one has a huge list of things to feed in moderation including spinach, some may even surprise you
Safe, Toxic, & Unsafe Foods
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php

[Nanajennie]

I was actually researching Millet Spray as this thread began (go figure)

My question is:

When do you throw a millet spray out?

I was tossing them when they didn't have visible seeds, but I saw a picture today of millet spray with just a few clumps on it, and the twig was visible. I googled it, and some people say let the birds eat it down to a twig, but that isn't what I recall learning...

I plan on changing mine way before that but I got curious....

@beachbird Hahaha about Popeye. That made me LOL!