Growing own millet:)

Learn what to feed your birds.
User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:00 pm

So ive been reading up on growing your own millet. So today i tilled a spot in my garden to plant it! And sprinkled about a thousand seeds (however many is on a standard size millet spray). Im going to test it and see if it works. I mean, i sprout them for my birds so y not let them grow all the way? But i will post pics here and let you know how all is going and if i have any dilemmas. HAPPY GROWING :)

User avatar
MiaCarter
Molting
Molting
Posts: 3528
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:36 pm
Location: SW Florida

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by MiaCarter » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:06 pm

Justino222 -- That's wonderful!
I've thought of doing this. I'd love to hear how it goes! Keep us updated!

If you don't get much luck with the seeds, I'd consider growing them in an egg carton first. Then transplant when they're a couple inches tall.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets

....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.


Image
Image
www.PetFinchFacts.com

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:11 pm

Great idea MiaCarter ! Ill use my sprouts on my back patio and plant them when they get bigger. Thanks for the suggestion.
Attachments
20140625_140903.jpg
20140625_140909.jpg

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:13 pm

Thses are the ones. On the patio haha. I just planted the others in the garden. Online it says they should be abke. To be harvested 45-60 days

debbie276
Bird Brain
Bird Brain
Posts: 14789
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
Location: WV

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by debbie276 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:19 pm

I've grown my own millet many times with great success. The problem is harvesting them before the wild birds get to them. :lol:
good luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:22 pm

Thanks debbie! Is it easy to grow? Im placing wood beams In the ground and placing net over the plants.

debbie276
Bird Brain
Bird Brain
Posts: 14789
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
Location: WV

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by debbie276 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:36 pm

They grow like weeds, very easy :)
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:44 pm

Oh great!! Thanx hehe

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Mon Aug 18, 2014 2:24 pm

Sorry guys o have totally forgotten about this topic! My millet is doing Great!!! I have posted pics of it.

The only thing i have to say is when planting the millet place 3-4 seeds at least 6 inches away from eachother. Ive noticed they grown bigger when its not crowded by other plants.

The seess are just laid on top of loose soil.
Attachments
20140818_124248.jpg

User avatar
KarenB
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2013
Joined: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:29 am
Location: Cypress, Texas

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by KarenB » Mon Aug 18, 2014 2:31 pm

Oh, I so am going to try this!
KarenB

Image

saulosirds
Flirty Bird
Flirty Bird
Posts: 209
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Southeast Michigan

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by saulosirds » Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:50 pm

Justino222

CUT YOUR MILLET NOW!!

Green millet is a very good breeding stimulant and I ave read that it will encourage even the most challenging birds to start breeding, It is commonly used in Europe with most of the successful finch breeders. They buy it in bulk and freeze it to keep it fresh.

If you have extra and are willing to sell it, let me know as I am very interested in giving it a try.

Rob

User avatar
Justino222
Novice Nester
Novice Nester
Posts: 446
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: Philadelphia PA

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by Justino222 » Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:53 pm

Wooow i didnt know that saulosirds thanks!! I will definately let you know how it works but. All i have are zebras, which arnt hard to breed to begin with. But i will try it, it sounds pretty Interesting!

@KarenB it will save you alot of money! We all know how fast millet goes :)

User avatar
afinch
3 Eggs Laid
3 Eggs Laid
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:12 pm

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by afinch » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:11 pm

I have a male zebra that has been hard to breed. Which of course is the one I want to breed the most. I kinda want to try the green millet thing now. How long was it between planting and harvest?

saulosirds
Flirty Bird
Flirty Bird
Posts: 209
Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 1:46 pm
Location: Southeast Michigan

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by saulosirds » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:15 pm

Justino222

Make sure you freeze it as it keeps it from continuing to dry (if you don't freeze it) and keeps all that's wonderful in it.

Guess it's time to plant some millet. Wonder if you could grow it indoors?

Rob

User avatar
afinch
3 Eggs Laid
3 Eggs Laid
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:12 pm

Re: Growing own millet:)

Post by afinch » Mon Aug 18, 2014 4:21 pm

I just went outside and planted a handful of seeds lol.

Post Reply