Herb salad - does anyone have birds that eat it?

[Jon]

I bought it as a sort of replacement for greens, but so far, none of my birds have touched it. Not my piggy javas, nor my budgie that literally eats anything in the world. It doesn't look patircularly appealing either. I've read on several sites that birds love it, though. Does anyone have any experience feeding it? The stuff smells lovely to me, for some reason, lol.

[ranchnanny]

Yes I feed it to all my birds and they love it. I get it from Lady Gouldians website. It's good for them as it
has medicinal purposes. I would put it in a treat dish and leave it in the cage they will warm up to it.....

I mix mine with Salad Greens that I get from the same website. I mix in F-vite as well (contains cuttle bone, minerals etc.) from Lady Gouldians.

[dcompt]

It took my societies a long time to decide it was for eating and not for just flinging on the carpet, but I see them eating from it some now. They are only interested in it when it's "fresh". After it's been in the cage a few days they lose interest. Maybe they've picked out the bits they like. Now I put in a large-ish dish on the cage floor instead of a smaller treat cup where they can pick through it more easily.

Do birds have much sense of smell? If so, it could be that it attracts them when it is strongly fragrant. I think it smells great too.

[PrettyBird]

I use it all the time as well.
I give it to my birds in a seed cup and they can pick and choose what herbs they want. I always have it in their cage, and refill whenever it empties.
You can also give to any of your other birds (budgies, parrots etc) if you have any

[dfcauley]

I always have this available to my birds and they devour it. Be sure to place it in a wide enough dish they can dig around in. They like to choose what they want out of it... or what they need. Wonderful stuff!!

[lyzzyjayne]

I always sprinkle some on the food dish and it goes. =D

[nixity]

Try blending it with their seed mix to get them accustomed to trying it first, then you can try offering it free choice once they've learned to recognize it as something they can eat ;)

I tend to like to offer it mixed with seed either way, because then it doesn't get blown around as much from them flying and landing on a dish filled with it!

[SeaChelle]

It took my two birds about a month to figure it out and now they adore the herb salad. I keep it in a small dish and they spend a lot of time sitting there sorting through the herbs. It's fun to watch them pick up a piece, decide that it isn't what they want, drop it and try again.

Like Donna mentioned, mine really only care for it when it's fresh though. I put about 2 tablespoons in a dish and they go through it in about 4 or 5 days.

[TheWhiteFinchAviary]

My Finches devour it too, some pairs swarm it when I put out a fresh treat cup before I even close the cage door. I find little pieces of it woven into nests as well, which is great since some of the herbs act as natural bug repellents (not that mine have to worry about pests in their bird room, just another cool use of the product). Finches will also roll pieces around in their mouths to gain nutrients from some of the mix instead of eating it but it doesn't mean they aren't still benefiting from it.

Try blending it with their seed mix to get them accustomed to trying it first, then you can try offering it free choice once they've learned to recognize it as something they can eat ;)

I tend to like to offer it mixed with seed either way, because then it doesn't get blown around as much from them flying and landing on a dish filled with it!

Introducing it with their regular seed mix has worked well for me too. Also mixing it into a fresh cup of sprouts works well.

[Lisa]

Jon

I've had the same experience as you. None of my birds will really touch it. They might peck at it for a minute to investigate but quickly lose interest and it goes to waste. Seems none of them really care for it. On the other hand, if I buy other brands of packaged dry greens, they do enjoy them.

I purchased it off the ladygouldian site and had read so many rave reviews about birds loving it, but I wish I had saved my money. Most of the bag has gone to waste. I would not buy it again.

[Abigail]

Where can I get some of this?

[debbie276]

Mixing it in with other foods kind of defeats the purpose of letting them pick out what they need when they need it. Most of those herbs have a medicinal purpose so I would hope they don't eat it all the time, it is supposed to be available for "animal self-medication".
I too found it to be a waste of money and had to throw out more then they ate because they pooped on it more then ate it so I no longer offer it.
Here's a link to the herbs and what they are for:
http://www.twinbeaksaviary.com/herbsalad.html

[Pukasand]

My birds love and devour it!

[cindy]

Mine like it and I often use organic dried herbs in their seed and pellet mix.

[TheWhiteFinchAviary]

Where can I get some of this?

You can also purchase it from: http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/shop-herbs.php

There is a complete list of uses from the Twin Beaks Aviary website (and for those who are unfamiliar with the product):
(from http://www.twinbeaksaviary.com/herbsalad.html)

Herb Salad's 100% Organic ingredients are the leaves, roots, bark and flowers of the plants that animals in the wild seek as a means to obtain required nutrients, minerals, vitamins and healing capabilities. It differs from food and water additives such as vitamins and medications in the manner that it allows your birds to choose what it is they require and in what amount, when and if their diet needs supplementing. Herb Salad's 22 medicinal herbs address common health issues safely and without the dangers that improper medicating and over supplementing can produce.

Why Do My Birds Need Herb Salad?
Herb Salad is not only for sick birds. It's also beneficial in maintaining the health of the fit bird, in a safe and natural way. The advantages Herb Salad provides the bird receiving medicinal care is in the support it offers sick birds suffering the adverse side effects that medications can produce. It helps stimulate appetite, strengthens the immune system, and encourages good bacteria growth. Sometimes, Herb Salad can even furnish the solution re: the ill bird not responding to treatment when it is due to the fact that the drug(s) being administered is not addressing the problem or is only combating part of it. Enabling your bird's ability to self-medicate can be a life-saver.

Will my bird like Herb Salad?
Birds instinctively know medicinal plants are a necessary part of their natural diet. Your bird's initial reaction to Herb Salad can vary, depending on the individual bird and the circumstances. Most birds immediately try Herb Salad and begin consuming it on a regular basis. In some cases, your bird may ignore it until a health matter, e.g. vitamin deficiency, stress, injury, illness, etc. compels him to seek relief. Time may be needed for your bird to *learn* to eat Herb Salad, especially finicky eaters resistant to new foods. Don't remove it right away if it goes untouched. Keep it dry and clean, and leave it in his cage. It is the rare bird that doesn't eventually discover what makes him feel stronger, healthier and happy.

When do my birds need Herb Salad?
Herb Salad should be available to your bird at all times. The benefit of regular access to the healthy bird is in permitting them the opportunity to address health issues, vitamin deficiencies and illness before the onset of the changed behavior or eating patterns that alert us to a health concern. The merits of early prevention can be crucial for breeding hens and babies, as well as the smaller and more delicate species. Stressed and recovering birds also profit from the constant availability to Herb Salad with its many function-specific herbs.

How do I feed Herb Salad to my birds?
The fundamental principal behind Herb Salad, and what it affords your bird over food and water additives, is in the way it gives your bird the power to choice. This is best accomplished by feeding Herb Salad in its own container. Desirable, are shallow dishes that allow easy access to the entire supply, rather than just surface contents. A shallower container will also help eliminate waste brought on by digging birds searching for individual herbs. To help acclimate the fussy eater, Herb Salad may be added to their seed. We do not recommend adding it to soft or cooked diets.

Should I use Herb Salad instead of medications and supplements?
We know that captive birds need additional minerals and vitamins that aren't derived from food intake alone. What to supplement and how often, depends on a number of factors such as the quality of their diet, lighting, exercise, etc. We recommend making no changes to your bird's diet initially, rather monitor your birds for any changes. You may determine over time, that less medicating and supplementing is needed. Watch for improvements such as:
-Improved beak and feather condition
-Less itching and scratching
-Decreased illness
-Increased appetites
-Increased breeding activity
-Better survival rate of chicks
-Higher energy levels
-A happier bird!

Twin Beaks Aviary's practice has been to provide our birds with all the necessary elements in maintaining superior physical and mental wellbeing, while allowing them to choose *what, when and how much* when it concerns their diet. We consider Herb Salad essential to our feeding program, but not as an alternative to veterinary care and recommended medications or in substitution of supplementing proper nutrition with vitamins. Success has depended upon the species of bird, health history and eating habits. We believe however, that whatever your feeding practices are, your bird's diet and welfare will surely be enhanced with the inclusion of Herb Salad.

"I've been maintaining and breeding all species of birds for over 30 years and began developing Herb Salad in 1989 after learning about animal self-medication. We ensure that every bird in our aviary has unrestricted access to Herb Salad. Our breeding success, minimal use of medications and low incidence of illness is a testament to its effectiveness. We consider Herb Salad essential to our feeding program."
-Cathy J. DeHaan