Wild Proso Millet

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Christian
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Wild Proso Millet

Post by Christian » Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:11 am

This past couple weeks I tried to provide wild grass seeds for my canaries. I had some luck finding foxtail. Today I hit the jackpot. I found tons of wild proso millet. Considered an invasive weed to farmers. I picked until my fingers were raw. The seeds are still green, but hard enough to consume.
They devoured that stuff! Beaks were full of juice and seed hulls. I could wait a bit longer until seeds are fully mature, but by then, the wind will have dispersed them. I have never seen my birds so excited to eat. Granted they may have overeaten, but by nightfall, they were quite content. I left the seeds on the plant and let the birds do the work. I have several large garbage bags full of wild millet. Will bunch them up and hang upside down to air dry.

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lovezebs
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Re: Wild Proso Millet

Post by lovezebs » Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:43 am

Christian

Whenever I see wild grass seed heads, I collect them for my birds. They absolutely love them.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

Christian
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Re: Wild Proso Millet

Post by Christian » Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:12 pm

I found out that the Wild proso millet is black and you have to be careful or they pop out. So I may tumble it to get all the seeds. Either that or be very careful when moving it to the cage.
Also the foxtail is not liked after it dries out and matures. They don't like the hairs around the seed pod which have become harder and uncomfortable to deal with.
They chipmunks in our wood pile will like them. They loved the bag of mealworms from China. Lol

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cindy
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Re: Wild Proso Millet

Post by cindy » Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:29 pm

I can get white millet and German foxtail that has been harvested in big 50# bags.... white millet sprouts fast!! You can collect the green heads and freeze them for the seasons they are not growing...make sure you are not collecting roadside or where they are using chemicals in the ground or from the air/spray.

The foxtail, German Golden Millet the gouldians relish!!!!

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cindy
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Re: Wild Proso Millet

Post by cindy » Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:31 pm

you can also sprout the dried seed head... they love them!!!

some take the millet strand, soak and plant them in clean organic soil and grow their own millet strands!!!!

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Re: Wild Proso Millet

Post by cindy » Fri Aug 25, 2017 2:40 pm

Birds love fresh green seeds!!! Another seed they grow and harvest here is Brown Top... the birds pick out the little green seeds from the brown seed first when served. It sprouts/chits fast too!!!

You hit the jackpot!!!! Glad your birds are enjoying their feast!!
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Zebra, Gouldians, Java, CBM Shaft tail & Grasskeets


~ My Facebook groups ~

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