Bee Pollen?

[can]

Hi - I just returned from the health food store with a bag of bee pollen. I've read that it is good for finches, and I was wondering why? What are the benefits and nutritional value of bee pollen for finches?

Also, I was going to mix it into their seed, should I blend it first (making it a powder)? or are the small pellets okay? They seem soft enough to eat.

As well, I cannot find organic finch seed in Toronto, so are there seeds I can buy organic at the health food store for my birds? What about hulled millet?

I sometimes also buy soft wheat/spelt berries for my society finches. They love them and I find some seed mixes don't have them in them.

[can]

Hi - can someone help me with my bee pollen question?

[ac12]

If you do a search (button on top right corner) there are several thread that contain "bee pollen." It seems to be primarily of benefit for breeding.

[G8love4finches]

I mix the pellets into my egg food mix....I was told it is good for my birds?

[can]

Okay, thanks for responding to my question. For now I'll grind it and add it to their egg food and only use it sparingly, as my birds are not breed.

[trentfysty]

Having never fed bee pollen to my birds I can't directly comment on the benefits but being a beekeeper I thought I would respond to the benefits of pollen overall.

The bees use the pollen to raise the young larva and baby bees. The reason it is used is that it is very high in protein which allows the young bees to grow quickly and mature. Pollen collected by the bees also has the benefits of alergy reduction when taken by those living in the local area. It allows the body to produce natural antibodies to the allergen.

I had never thought about feeding it to my birds but after reading the other posts on the forum it sounds like it can be good for them.

[can]

Very cool. I wonder if there are any good ways for people to eat it too. I was kinda munching on it when I wrote the original post, but it has a funny texture.

[trentfysty]

People can take bee pollen! I generally mix it in something like jelly on my toast or something along those lines. Just don't heat it up or that will minimize the benefits.