Millet spray from LGF.com

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:23 am

Has anyone recently purchased millet spray from ladygouldianfinch.com?

I usually purchase it from Laraine because the sprays are HUGE, fresh and a nice golden color. This last box I received looked dark and moldy.

Anyone else recent purchase from her? LGF on the left, local pet store on the right. My finches don't care for it.

Not trying to complain about LGF, but I'm just surprised she would mail it to me. I've been quite loyal to her.

DVBourassa · Post by **DVBourassa** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:46 am

The last order I got was a darker color. I didn't notice mold but now I'll check closer. Also, my birds don't like it as much either.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:47 am

Jordan
If it was me I definately would call her and ask where to sent it to ,there is no way you should take the loss ,I think she will do the right thing and replace it for you or give you a credit

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:49 pm

Bill,
I sent her an email with the picture. Regardless of the outcome, I'm going to take Bonnie's idea and grow my own. Anxious to offer them young, green sprays.

cartel · Post by **cartel** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:39 am

I can see the difference

I there a post going on about growing millet?I wouldnt mind trying to grow some myself...

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:45 am

Yes, "Featherharp" aka Deborah started growing it.....not sure where I came up with "Bonnie".

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:06 pm

Here is some info for growing your own Millet:

I just took some seeds from the large golden spray millet I had bought from Drs. Foster&Smith a few years ago. Then just sowed them in a shallow row in the garden and covered them up lightly. The plant stalks get to be about 3ft tall in my garden. I leave them until a first hard frost or when they are a nice golden brown and then the birds seem to go at them like crazy so I get them out of the garden before the wild birds get it all...hehe. But I do leave a few stalks there for them.

If you don't have garden space, you could try to grow it in a pot but it must have all day sun...just like all garden vegetables or it may not grow much or even head out.
Ideally you would need 8 to 10 hours of sun every day to get the best growth.

Here is a photo of my home grown Millet that my Senegal is inspecting.

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:28 pm

Cute Senegal Deborah!! I just love mine and think they are such clowns!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:25 pm

Thanks Deborah for the information....definitely going to try growing it. Not sure about getting 8-10 hours of sun in Seattle though! Would 8-10 hours of rain work instead?!

I called LGF and spoke to Kathy. They switched suppliers and went from a California supplier to Wisconsin. Sounded like they aren't happy with the new supplier and are switching back. I guess I'll find out what Laraine will do for me. Like Bill said, I'm sure she'll do the right thing.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:24 am

Laraine sent me a free 5 lb box of the California Golden stuff! I knew I've been loyal to LGF.com for a reason.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:25 am

atarasi wrote:Laraine sent me a free 5 lb box of the California Golden stuff! I knew I've been loyal to LGF.com for a reason.

She is a very nice person. She will do you right for sure.

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:52 am

atarasi wrote:Thanks Deborah for the information....definitely going to try growing it. Not sure about getting 8-10 hours of sun in Seattle though! Would 8-10 hours of rain work instead?!

I called LGF and spoke to Kathy. They switched suppliers and went from a California supplier to Wisconsin. Sounded like they aren't happy with the new supplier and are switching back. I guess I'll find out what Laraine will do for me. Like Bill said, I'm sure she'll do the right thing.

it will work !! , i do this many years already in our rainy cold dutch climate , although i have to say that you have to pluck and dry it when they are still green otherwise the *wild* birds are faster than you and all is gone !!
Ray

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:42 am

I think thats the way it should work between customers and vendors,but unfortunately a lot of vendors are just there for the dollar as some people just buy from the cheapest not always the best choice
I am glad this time we know what she would do

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:34 am

atarasi wrote:Laraine sent me a free 5 lb box of the California Golden stuff! I knew I've been loyal to LGF.com for a reason.

I know this is late - but I believe Laraine switched distributors. In the past I believe she exclusively offered California Golden Spray Millet, and she (recently, I believe, definitely since February) switched to Wisconsin Spray Millet.

I ordered direct from them (because it's less expensive that way without the distributor mark up, obviously) and I got the same thing - kind of gross, moldy looking spray.
I ended up getting the combo 6# box, and it came completely smashed, with the tape torn at every seam and seed falling out of the box (meaning the bags inside were damaged, too).
When I finally opened it (after photographing it), I noticed the bags of millet had holes anyways (just the way the bags were), which I guess is for ventilation, but concerns me in terms of pathogens and insects that can get into the box during shipping.
I complained, and they never did anything about it.
I got an email saying they would speak to the UPS rep, and then nothing following (even after I followed up).
I like that the price point is lower than California spray, but clearly it's lower for a reason :((

I just can't find a better spray millet than the California Spray.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:48 pm

The first time I ordered the millet spray from LGF.com, I was completely shocked how big and plump they were. When you eventually get used to it, everything else looks so small and unhealthy. Going to Petco last night and looking at their birds and stuff, their packaged sprays is a joke. $8 for less than a dozen tiny sprays is exactly the reason why I prefer the California grown sprays. So for now, I'll only buy from LGF.com until I can grow my own.