FINCHforum

Hi All

What is the benefit of feeding Spray Millet if any?

Regards
Steve

steve
Spray millet is helpful for fledglings to learn to eat seed, since it is soft enough for their new beaks to crack and eat, whereas, the regular seed is too hard to crack. That is why many breeders feed soaked seed for breeding parents and fledges/juveniles. If finches get too much millet spray regularly, they can get fat because the millet spray has a higher fat content. However, my Society's absolutely Love, Love, Love millet, so I have to put half a stalk in the flight or they'll eat a whole one between two Society's!!
My PFs also love millet spray and my lovebird and budgie absolutely will pig out on millet spray,but I use it as a training treat and give once in a while for a "non-training" treat" because then, they learn what the millet spray tastes like and will work for more! LOL. When I 'm training them, I don't give the millet spray, except for the twice a day training sessions (only last 5 minutes due to their and my own short attention span but it works!).

In addition to the awesome info above it also gives them the feeling of actually foraging for food.

finchmix22, thanks

I think I should cut back on spray millet for my birds; have been giving TWO stalks every week & sometimes add a fresh one in between. They love it so; especially the young ones.
But I suppose I should be mindful that they can get fat

I give spray millet to my finches and canary once or twice a week.
If the spray is large (8"-12") I cut it in two.
They absolutely love it so I hold off on giving it to them everyday otherwise that's all they would eat! LOL

I've heard it's high in carbs so too much can be not so good for them, but the benefits (in moderation) are it's a healthy natural treat, fun for them for foraging and picking at, and it can be good for stimulating sick birds to eat.