FINCHforum

Has anybody feed Milk Thistle to Gouldians befor???

iv herd that birds do eat it, is it safe to feed to gouldians????
any info is much appriciated

Jarryd

They love it.

Is milk thistle the same as the regular black thistle? Mine dig into it before eating other seeds.

My only concern is a weed called Milk Weed and its ment to look similar with yellow flowers, iv seen pictures of milk thistle being feed to finches but they have yellow flowers also, so im trying to workout how i can tell which is which, i have an empty property next door and from what i can tell it looks like Milk Thistle but im just not sure, i might take a picture and post it on here.

I think the picture is a good idea, I really would like to see what milk thistle looks like

could always take a piece of it to your nearest plant shop and ask them which it is

Common names can cause problems. There are two weeds commonly called milk thistle. The fist being the cottonbush or swan plant (Gomphocarpus fruticosus) http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6587
and the milkweed or sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)
http://www.iewf.org/weedid/Sonchus_oleraceus.htm
The fist weed is toxic and should not be offered to birds however the second is safe and thoroughly enjoyed by birds, including mine! The flowers are enjoyed most of all. The best weeds are collected from moist, partly shaded areas as they tend to become tough in full sun. As with all weeds, ensure they have not been previously sprayed with herbicides.

Really? This looks just like the thistles I've been yanking out from my gardens in the backyard - LOTS of them with those yellow flowers. I have to go out and check again for sure, but I think so! My birds are going to think they've gone to heaven!

Thats probably them, tehy grow everywhere! There is another type that doesnt have soft leaves which I am unsure about, besides, i dont think teh birds would like he bristles. The other weed they absolutely love is capeweed (http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7838).

any weed from my backyard is pulled out and put in the aviary, what they dont eat usually ends up being used as nesting material

Even though there hasn't been a post in this thread for a bit I just wanted to share some info about milk thistle that I just got from my vet. She recommended getting milk thistle extract (alcohol free) from a health food store and mixing it with ? forgot the name but will get it tommorrow when they mix it up for me. It is supposed to have good effects detoxifying the liver and can be beneficial in helping with fatty liver disease. I am not completely sure about the leaves/flowers from the plant but would assume it has a similar effect.

Intresting Zoo Keeper

I am yet to give any Milk Thistle to the birds, as im still not sure on the safety of the weed, and im not sure if it is the weed is milk thistle. the goulds seem pretty healthy with the deit there currently receiving so il think il wait awhile.