FINCHforum

I read that nettles have healing properties for finches. We have a lot of stinging nettles around here and I thought maybe I'd dry some. Does anyone feed their finches dried nettles in their herb mix>

http://www.birds-online.de/nahrung/grue ... sel_en.htm

Most people can't imagine that stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) can be served as healthy bird food. Protected by thick gloves, one can pick half-ripe and ripe seeds (see figure) from August to October. If you want to keep them fresh for a long time, just freeze them for the winter season.

You can also serve the finest tips of the stinging nettle to any kind of pet bird. Admittedly one should pour some hot water over the leafs for neutralizing the stinging substances before serving them to the birds. The fresh sprouts are extremely rich of vitamins and minerals. Some bird couples use them for feeding their chicks. Just cut the leafs into small pieces and mix them into the hatching food while your budgies have to care for their brood.

From a long time ago people use herbal tea made from stinging nettles for blood cleansing. This kind of tea is also used for supporting the therapy of cystitis because of its diuretic qualities.

Thanks Debbie! That's exactly what I thought. It's getting to be fall here and I thought I'd collect some nettles and dehydrate them to use in birdy bread or just as is in the winter. I might freeze some as well. The seeds should be good for them. I'll give it a try since I like the nettle tea too.

I sure know what they are now!!!! Found two growing in my planter they seemed to have grown overnight. Didn't realize what they were and yanked them out. OH! Brother I was in agony for days. My hands and parts of my arms burned and tingled for days. When I see them from now on I am going to spray them or dig them out with a shovel.