Our Finches And Wheat

[lovezebs]

Hellow Fellow Finchers.

I have a wonderful Dentist, who is also a farmer (long story). Anyway, when he heared that I raise birds, he brought me a bucket full of fresh Polish brown Canola seed, which my birds actually enjoy, as opposed to the black Canola which no one seems to like.

Yesterday, I received a huge bucket of fresh just harvested red wheat. My question is, can our little kids manage to hull the wheat, or should I somehow crack the seeds (God knows how) for them?

[lovezebs]

Here's a picture....

[Sally]

I wonder how those would be soaked or sprouted? I've never had the chance to have fresh seed like that.

[lovezebs]

Sally

Haven't thought of that, but it should probably sprout very easily.
Just trying to figure out if I should crack it...... well I have a hammer, right? Let's hope I still have thumbs later today, lol.

Wheat, is ok for these guys, right???

[Sally]

lovezebs

Hmmm, it's another one of those foods found on the 'in moderation' list at the FIC. I'm surprised that wheat is that bad.

[Sheather]

My budgies, societies, canaries all are able to hull wheat, so I say try it out.

[Atbird]

Try it, or cook it for them..my canaries like quince, sorghum, bulgur, etc cooked.....I know, I know what DON'T canaries like

[lovezebs]

Sally

Hi Sally, is there anything on that list that one can feed over and above moderation, lol ???

[lovezebs]

Sheather

That's good to know, Dylan. Thanks.
Do they eat it on a regular basis, mixed into the rest of their diet ? Or separate ? And how about your little Orange Cheeks, do they manage the wheat as well?

[Sheather]

It is offered in the mix my ringneck dove is fed, so I've only seen them eat it from that dish during free flight, it doesn't come in their own mixes. I've never seen the waxbills go for it.

[lovezebs]

Atbird

Hi Anna.

Yes, Canaries are hogs when it comes to food .

I think I will try to boil a small amount and see what they do with it. I know that they do love boiled seeds.

[lovezebs]

Sheather

Oh, ok.
I think I'll try to boil some, crack some, and sprout some, and serve some as. I think that should appeal to evryone.

[Rox]

I would soak it for a day or so to start sprouting and then offer it. Just to make it softer for your little ones (waxbills).

We have a type of wheat that they use as a cover crop here, planted between the vineyards to rejuvenate the soil each season. I went and picked some of the green sprays and the birds really enjoy it. Even the orange-cheeks were able to pop open the seeds while still green and soft.

Elana, if I were you, I would ask your friend for some green seed, still on the stalk. Your birds will go nuts for it!

[lovezebs]

Rox

Too late in the year for green seeds here. Farmers are well into harvest time now, with the first day of Fall today, and Winter just around the corner .

I guess I will try different meathods, to see what will work and what won't.

I'm still curious to know, why wheat is considered something to be offered only in moderation (?)

[Atbird]

lovezebs
I can see it now....Elana takes up growing wheat for her birdies. She goes out and buys plant lights, soil, everything you need to grow plants out of season. On a lazy afternoon, the authorities burst into her house and take her away for illegal operations. All the while, poor Elana is heard repeating...." I grow wheaT.....wheaT....with a t......."