FINCHforum

My mom got me going on Chia seeds - yep those grainy little things that we used to plaster onto ceramic heads and wait with excitment for that "Hair" to grow! (Can you imagine how much money the've hauled in over the years with that simple gimmick?!!)
It's actually called "Salvia Hispanica". There are links all over the net for information, here's just one:
http://purehealingfoods.com/chiaFAQ.php

It's a powerhouse food - and has been used for centuries by indigenous populations. Funny how our world is finally making real use of knowledge that's ancient!

I'm going to start adding it to my birds egg food in small quantities, and monitor the effects. It's apparently a wonder-food for breeding, feathering up, basic health.

Just thought I'd see if anyone else out there is also using this - and what their stories are....

I'm not sure about giving them as "seed" but I caught onto the chia seed movement last year and have been giving my birds the chia seed lightly sprouted on occasion.

I've added small amounts of Chia seeds to my finches' seed mix, and well, in all honesty, I don't think they're eating them. Sometimes, in the morning, when the birds are hungry I'll do a test, I'll put the seeds I want to see if they are eating in my hand, and offer it to them. My orange-cheeked waxbill and female green singer will always come and eat out of my hand, however all that means is that my OCW and GS don't eat chia seeds.

Please, let me know if your birds eat them! But you may need to spout them first.

Does anyone give sprouted Chia seeds with the gel attached? I've have a dish of green sprouts that I'm hoping they will eat, but I'm concerned about the safety of the gel.

Thanks!
Mary Ann