Is Alfalfa Seed Safe to Feed?

[debbyloo]

Does anyone know if alfalfa seed (untreated with any chemicals) would be safe to feed to finches in a mixture of various types of millet seed? Also, does anyone know if they would eat alfalfa seed? My finches all love seeding grass heads from my untreated yard, so I am assuming they would eat alfalfa seed, as I think it is just another type of grass, and I see dried alfalfa (the plant, not the seed) offered as a supplement similar to "herb salad" mixes. Thanks for any help!

[debbie276]

Absolutely safe and good for them. I sprout the alfalfa for them and they love it.

[Rox]

I give my birds both fresh and dried alfalfa (we call it Lucerne here in SA), as well as seeds. Very nutritious for them, as it is high in protein, calcium and vitamins.

What they don't eat of the grasses, they have sometimes used for nesting as well.

[finchboy]

Absolutely safe and good for them. I sprout the alfalfa for them and they love it.

Hi Debbie,
How long do you let the sprout grow for finches to eat? I am into sprouting for myself, but have also done some grass seed sprouts about 2cm long which my finches didn't touch. I'd be delighted if I can get my finches to eat sprouted seeds.

[Sally]

When I sprout seed, I just let it develop to the chitted stage, which is where the little tail is just starting to show. This is the stage of highest nutrition, and as the seed sprouts more and more, the nutrition level goes down. Most seed will chit between 24 and 36 hours, and then you can refrigerate it to slow down the growth.

[debbie276]

I do the same as Sally explained.

[finchboy]

Sally Debbie
Yes, when I sprout beans for myself, I did the same too.

In fact I am starting to relish the idea of stopping the sprouting process right after the end of the soaking stage. Which means to say that I will be using the beans when their life-giving property is at its peak, even before baby sprouts start to appear. That is when the non-nutritious (growth-inhibiting) enzymes are eliminated. That also means the sprouts would have no chance to have a go at the beans' goodness as I would have beaten them to it.