Dandelion Greens

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:22 pm

Well how do you know you are hopelessly obsessed with your finches??
You actually buy dandelion leaves from the grocery store, at $3.49 a bunch! Still can't believe I did that!

Like Liz mentioned in another thread, we have had a lot of snow here in western Canada, so it killed off the lovely crop of dandelions in our apartment complex, even though the snow melted, it's too cold still for the dandelions to come up yet. So when I found them in the organic section of my local IGA, I couldn't resist.

Hopefully it won't be too long before I can just go out to the yard and pick my own for free again.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:46 am

Yep, I know Fran. I bought Dandelion greens for my parrots too - over and over and they wouldn't even eat them. They prefer Kale.

Coop · Post by **Coop** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:00 am

How do you treat the dandelions (for parasites, etc.) when you pick them for the yard? Thanks!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:07 am

I haven't heard of 'treating' dandelions (or any other weeds) for parasites. If there's a bug on it - I would just shake it off. You could wash the greens (like you do with lettuce). And of course you do have to know that your yard is pesticide-free.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:56 am

I always soak any greens from my yard in a bucket of water overnight.

Then I rinse well and feed away.

franny · Post by **franny** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 4:50 pm

Got to admit that I just rinse them off in a bit of water and vinegar, then shake dry, and cut into tiny pieces. Mine like them and kale, but just nibble at it, don't go crazy like my societies used to. But the babies definitely liked the greens better than the parents.

Coop · Post by **Coop** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:00 am

Well, now I have a good use for all those crazy dandelions that seem to pop up out of nowhere! THANKS ALL!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:15 am

All my birds have loved the dandelions I have picked for them....too bad I couldn't just let them out to "graze" the yard...hehe!

ryanf · Post by **ryanf** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:15 pm

never thought about feeding them to my finches, my bearded dragon loves them though

jonvill · Post by **jonvill** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:33 pm

When harvesting dandelions for the green leaves, make sure to pick them before they flower because flowering makes the green parts bitter. If the flowers are already there, just pick the flowers and offer those in all stages of development. If the flower is already closed just slice them open and the birds will eat the seeds inside.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:35 pm

Don't feel bad Franny. I buy them myself and they have the flowers on them as well. Most of my birds love them except my RH Gould female, she doesn't try much of anything. My husband and I eat them and anything else I give the birds so I don't feel bad

Renee

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:41 pm

Do zebra's like dandelion leaves. Just asking cause I have one huge patch at the end of the yard. And because we have a well, as well as a lake we don't use any pesticides. Might as well put them to good use.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:22 pm

So much snow that it killed off the dandelions

I'm glad I am in Florida....... cucumbers vines blooming as we speak

I am glad you still find a way to pamper your birds

franny · Post by **franny** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:32 am

CandoAviary wrote:So much snow that it killed off the dandelions I'm glad I am in Florida....... cucumbers vines blooming as we speak
I am glad you still find a way to pamper your birds

OK, not fair to rub it in!

Anyway, the snow is gone, and it was a warm day today (19C), and there's a wonderful crop of dandelions in the yard again.

As solobirdlover said in another thread, we've had unusually sunny weather here on the wet coast. Not quite to Florida standards, but pretty good for up north.

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Sat May 02, 2009 2:53 am

Never tried it with the Zebras but the bunnies sure do love dandelion greens. Actually there aren't too many things that the bunnies don't like.