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Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:22 am
by finchandlovebird
What is red millet? And is it a good thing? I bought a 3# bag of it at the last bird fair; thought I'd mix it in the regular seed.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:33 am
by Jeff McKee
I think there are eight kinds of millet. I'd love to learn a bit more about millet. I know that some of the white millets are large.
I know that my birds (Zebras) love spray millets (small seeds).
I know that my birds love smaller seeds. Some seed cups pick around the large white millets. The little red millets get picked out! Zebra finches might has been named millet birds, from my observations.
Different bird types, tend to have different views on what the perfect seed is. Bigger birds sometimes like larger seeds.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 12:17 pm
by debbie276
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:25 pm
by finchandlovebird
It looks like that Debbie, but it seems a little smaller than in the pic. I bought 3# for $3.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:25 pm
by debbie276
Here's a link that may have a picture of what you have:
http://www.egerbil.com/millet.html
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:28 pm
by finchandlovebird
Yikes Debbie; in that article it says never use proso millet (which seems to be the kind we buy in sprays for our birds) to sprout or grow.
I always sprout the millet seeds that fall to the bottom of my spray millet container; and I have some growing in pots for them right now.
Do you know if this is true?????????????? And oftentimes, if we soak for sprouting a seed blend, it may have millet in there.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:52 pm
by skyjump100
There was quite a good discussion about red vs yellow millet somewhere in the forum. I'll see if I can find it.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:55 pm
by skyjump100
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:11 am
by Foosa101
finchandlovebird wrote:
What is red millet? And is it a good thing? I bought a 3# bag of it at the last bird fair; thought I'd mix it in the regular seed.
Red Millet is just another variety of millet and it is not much different than other varieties when it comes to using for bird feed or sprouting - the difference would be when it is grown for grazing for livestock or a cover crop unrelated to birds both domestic and wild.
I already stated this in my previous response but from all my experience, it is not the favorite. My hypothesis for this is that is has a harder shell exterior or hull. I listed a very informative article on my other post that should shine some light on millets, but please let me know if you have any questions.
In regards to what to do with the red millet, I would just mix a small amount, 5% is what I do, in with their other seed. Or do a test bowl or cup and see if they even go for it. Seems all birds/finches, regardless or breed, seem to have their own preference and taste buds. I would like to hear the outcome. Hope this helps.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:43 am
by finchandlovebird
Thanks skyjump & foosa & all others. Good info
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:54 am
by Foosa101
Foosa101 wrote:
finchandlovebird wrote:
What is red millet? And is it a good thing? I bought a 3# bag of it at the last bird fair; thought I'd mix it in the regular seed.
Red Millet is just another variety of millet and it is not much different than other varieties when it comes to using for bird feed or sprouting - the difference would be when it is grown for grazing for livestock or a cover crop unrelated to birds both domestic and wild.
I already stated this in my previous response but from all my experience, it is not the favorite. My hypothesis for this is that is has a harder shell exterior or hull. I listed a very informative article on my other post that should shine some light on millets, but please let me know if you have any questions.
In regards to what to do with the red millet, I would just mix a small amount, 5% is what I do, in with their other seed. Or do a test bowl or cup and see if they even go for it. Seems all birds/finches, regardless or breed, seem to have their own preference and taste buds. I would like to hear the outcome. Hope this helps.
Okay, I might be crazy but I did TYPE two posts and thought I submitted it......
This is what you get for playing around online way past your bedtime and with too many darn tabs open and bouncing back and forth. Figures it was the main post that was long and descriptive
Well at least I can still give you the article I thought was informative.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/millet.html
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:01 pm
by finchandlovebird
Foosa101 (Nancy?)
You're not crazy, but you can call me crazy when you know that I would like to try growing millet in my flower garden this June. That was a great article you sent. Grows in Minn. & Wisconsin. Hey, I can do that. Wish me luck.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:34 pm
by Foosa101
finchandlovebird wrote:
Foosa101 (Nancy?)
You're not crazy, but you can call me crazy when you know that I would like to try growing millet in my flower garden this June. That was a great article you sent. Grows in Minn. & Wisconsin. Hey, I can do that. Wish me luck.
Millets are easy to grow but be sure to plant after the last possible chance of frost or when the nightly temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees. Browntop is the most dependable millet crop and it matures in 60-80 days depending on conditions.
Good luck, but I doubt you'll need it.
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:35 pm
by Foosa101
Foosa101 wrote:
finchandlovebird wrote:
Foosa101 (Nancy?)
You're not crazy, but you can call me crazy when you know that I would like to try growing millet in my flower garden this June. That was a great article you sent. Grows in Minn. & Wisconsin. Hey, I can do that. Wish me luck.
Millets are easy to grow but be sure to plant after the last possible chance of frost or when the nightly temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees. Browntop is the most dependable millet crop and it matures in 60-80 days depending on conditions.
Good luck, but I doubt you'll need it.
Oh and, yes it is me!
Re: Red Millet
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:18 pm
by debbie276
finchandlovebird wrote:
Foosa101 (Nancy?)
You're not crazy, but you can call me crazy when you know that I would like to try growing millet in my flower garden this June. That was a great article you sent. Grows in Minn. & Wisconsin. Hey, I can do that. Wish me luck.
I've grown millet before in my garden, it's very easy. The trick is to get the millet harvested before the wild birds wipe it out.
good luck