growing grass seeds

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 2:16 pm

I planted some grass seeds for my birdies. I used organic soil and put some sand on the top of it. Then I sprinkled some trace mineral powder on top of that. They are loving it!

Post by **Sally** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:41 pm

Heidi gave me some wheat grass seeds to start for my birds, too. They love fresh greens!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:26 pm

Cool!

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:13 am

Donna,
Do be careful with the sand, you don't want the birds to consume too much and become impacted.

When I grow the grass I place a piece of plastic cross stitch material on top. The grass grows up through the holes and you do not have to worry of the birds eating the dirt/sand/ etc. Also I have grown it hydroponically with water crystals.

You can buy plastic canvas at any hobby/craft store and cut it to fit any container for growing. Then use soil or crystals for the medium.
Much safer.

PS How are the meal worms coming along?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:12 am

I didn't know that sand could be a problem. What about those who put it in the bottom or floor of their aviary? I have read here that some people use sand on the floor....

Thanks for sharing that.... just confused a little about it. I thought it was good for them......

I suppose the worms are okay.... don't bother them much.....

My husband added some bran and brought them in the house for the last few nights

Temps have been really cold here.....

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:00 pm

Sand is hard quartz..grit. It is fine for finches I believe as long as they don't gorge themselves and become packed full.....
In my grit mix I use mullusk shell, charcoal, mineral powder and sand. The finches love the sand so I have to be careful not to give them too much.
I guess it just depends on the birds. I do have a few that empty their grit cups of everything but the sand particles. They never eat it and some eat too much.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:08 pm

okay thanks! I will watch that.

I have never give them any sand before. I usually give the V-Fite in a dish, but I have noticed they sure do love this sand.

I will try the plastic canvas on top.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:14 am

my aviary has a dirt floor, part of which I covered with sand. have never had any problems with it. if anything the birds love pecking at it looking for grass seeds or livefood. with the potted herbs that I rotate through the aviary I use normal potting mix soil, the birds pick at this as well but it causes them no harm but I have noticed that some people say to only use organic potting soil.
what works for one person may not work for the next, all you can do is try things for yourself (only time I wont try something new is if everyone I speak to says it is no good)

blueribbontoes · Post by **blueribbontoes** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:15 pm

I think Mick, the reason people suggest organic soil is that the birds can consume some of the fertilizer and other additives found in normal potting soil.

dfcauley, That is a great idea! I may have to work on a similar set up! I have an over over over grown spider plant with lots of "runners" with baby spider plants. The mother plant sits on top of the cage, and the runners drape into the corners. My birds love the live foliage, I wonder if they would enjoy the grass as well? (The don't eat much of the spider, just hide in it, although nibbles are not unheard of.

)

Post by **Sally** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:26 pm

In the U.S., it is hard to find plain potting soil, that doesn't have fertilizers added. Going organic is one way to avoid the additives.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:45 pm

Sally wrote:In the U.S., it is hard to find plain potting soil, that doesn't have fertilizers added. Going organic is one way to avoid the additives.

The soild I used was organic. The sand is gone..... they ate it all

OMG I hope it didn't hurt them They seem fine and now are digging around in the dirt and eating the grass blades.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:32 pm

OMG

They ate all that sand

Well that will save on the feed bill.

Some of mine do the same thing with sand.... that's why I don't give them free access to it. I now cover any planted pot with the plastic canvas...keep their little beaks out of it

Hope they pass the sand with no problems.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:29 pm

They should be okay - eating the blades of grass will help them pass the sand.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:54 pm

It really wasn't alot of sand. It was a very , very thin layer over the dirt. The funny thing is that I have it in a pot where a tree is planted and they never touch it.

HoangQuan · Post by **HoangQuan** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:24 pm

I use river sand to cover the soil on the floor of my aviary, all of the birds love picking "something" on the sand all day, I replace the sand every 2 weeks, and till now I havent had any troubles with them