Bermuda grass harmful for Gouldian finches????? VIDEO LINK!

[JAVA-WACKEEZ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnSkrApxFUI

Just saw this video on youtube. Is this true?

[L in Ontario]

I have used Bermuda Grass (not from Kaytee) for a few years now with NO problems. I have it in several nest boxes right now.

I have to wonder why only his male Gouldians passed away. If it was the Kaytee Bermuda Grass, did the female never have access to any of it???

[JAVA-WACKEEZ]

Good point! Why only the males died...... Do birds have instinct to avoid poisonous plants? How do birds avoid poisonous plants in the wild? Bermuda grass sold in petstores is 100% natural right?...meaning no pesticides or fertilizers.

[nixity]

Bermuda grass is not poisonous..
The Kaytee grass is intended to be fed to rodents like rabbits, chinchillas, etc, so it certainly is not toxic.

I don't know if they use insecticides or pesticides, someone would need to contact them and ask, but I do find it strange/unlikely that it is related.

I have specifically used the Kaytee Bermuda grass MANY times - and I have never had any problems.

[ac12]

I also use bermuda grass (and orchard grass), from PetSmart.
The stuff from PetSmart is sold to be eaten by small pets like rabbits, so I figure they are "safe." And I have not had a problem with any of the birds...so far.

[Finch Fry]

pet smart uses bermuda grass and timothy hay interchangeably in the display cages for the finches. They build nests with them. I have seen birds in the cages for (sadly) 3/4 of a year with no harm what so ever done by them.

[cindy]

Personally, I use Timothy grass and cocofiber. The one thing that could possibly do this is a mold or fungus in the grass itself. The grass may have gotten wet, spoiled in the bag. Just odd the female did not pass away. Microtoxins can effect breathing, coordination and can in some cases cause death. If the female did not handle any of it with her mouth that could explain why she did not die.

The video does not go into great detail about the conditions of the bag if they stored it in a dry environment, if it got wet and was allowed to sit and molds grew. Kaytee is usually very careful with their products.

[dingal2000]

Im really sorry to this but i dont know if i believe that to be true or a lie, im a bit baffled as to why he was trying to figure a way out to complain, if that were me, i would have been straight done the store that bought it from and raise hell, then seek legal advise,i know a lot of people would say "its just a bird" its not its your family,and you got to ask yourself another thing.

Did he throw away the first batch of Grass that he had already suspected, or was he foolish enough to use the same batch???????? either way, if that was me heads would ROLL

[nixity]

Personally, I use Timothy grass and cocofiber. The one thing that could possibly do this is a mold or fungus in the grass itself. The grass may have gotten wet, spoiled in the bag. Just odd the female did not pass away. Microtoxins can effect breathing, coordination and can in some cases cause death. If the female did not handle any of it with her mouth that could explain why she did not die.

The video does not go into great detail about the conditions of the bag if they stored it in a dry environment, if it got wet and was allowed to sit and molds grew. Kaytee is usually very careful with their products.

That's what I was thinking, too - maybe some sort of fungus or mold, but I would think something that severe, you'd see signs on the grass itself - black spots, or other indications of mold.
I would also think you'd see a gradual succumbing - not sudden/instantaneous almost death.
But I guess it would depend on the type of fungus/mold?

[cindy]

Microtoxins in any amount can cause side effects in a bird that small. Since their bodies, tissue matter and their immune systems are very different compared to ours they metabolizes it differently. Depending on what kind of microtoxins depends on how fast symptoms come on and what type of outcome it has. The fungus or molds could be minute and may not have been evident if they were not looking for it. If he used the same bag with both birds then he may have the same outcome.

Some molds are white powder, other black, some have a green hue etc. With birds it does not take much.

[B CAMP]

I think if it was the grass the female would get even just setting on the grass

[cindy]

She may be affected if there was something tranfered to her feathers and she preened. If the males handled it more in their beaks they may have gotten enough to have an effect.

I am not sure we are getting the full story from the video. It is questionable...could be a disgruntled employee. Who knows.