How long do I provide millet?

[tstmard]

I'm wondering how long do I need to keep providing a sprig of millet in the cage at all times? The breeder uses this to get them eating seed but he's eating out of his food dish no problem. So should I keep making sure he's got it all times for like another week or for how long?:confused:

[jodeg]

When I first brought Kiwi home, I gave her a WHOLE sprig of millet in her cage. She went after it like a buzz saw and didn't eat anything else! :eek: I thought, hmmmm, this is a mistake and took it out of her cage.

One of our members calls is "BIRDY CRACK" and it sure is! They'll do anything for millet. Apparently it's high in fat and they love it.

Now Kiwi's millet is reserved for a reward when we're clicker training or doing flying practice, things like that. For each flight or trick, or whatever I'm working on, she gets ONE MILLET SEED -- never a whole sprig! Once in a while, she'll fly right by me and head straight for the treat dish with the millet in it -- sneaky birdy!

Works like a charm -- she'll work hard for her BIRDY CRACK! :D

[Kumiko]

I use my millet for the same reasons as Jodeg. Kiwi gets those "high in fat" Birdie Cracks when he does a desirable behavior and his clicker training.

[raiven]

I do not even buy those millet sprays that you get at the pet shops or grocery store anymore. I buy a little in the bulk bins at the natural foods store to put in with her soak mix and I buy a mix from www.avianorganics.com (Pacific Shores Gourmet Seed) that I use for treats that has a little millet in it.

[tstmard]

Okay then since he is eating his normal food I don't think I'll provide it all the time anymore. Just for training and bonding purposes.:D So hopefully he'll be earning alot.

[chapala]

I would reserve spray millet for training uses and rewards. Millet is a grain, and is not high in fat (11%) in comparison with seeds - sunflower 50%, safflower 39%, pumpkin and squash seed 46%, sesame 50%. So not to worry, it is nutritious.

I use both red and white millet as part of my grain/seed mix that I sprout. When millet is sprouted or cooked (hulled millet) it is only in the 4% fat range.
Reta

[Sally]

I have it in Chipper's cage all the time. She doesn't eat much at a time. It lasts with her. It is good for her.

She WISHES I would leave almonds in there all the time! She loves them and walnuts too. Have to limit those.

[chapala]

Yes, nuts are VERY high fat! Just a few examples: walnut 65%, pine nuts 68%, Macadamia 76%, cashew 44%, Almond 49%, peanut 49%, pecan 72%, dried unsweetened coconut 65% (coconut raw 33%).

I don't feed any nuts but an occasional tiny sliver or two to Cello. The Macaw and Grey get some daily. Nuts do have good fats, but too much fat, whether seeds, nuts or other high fat foods, is not good for P'lets.
Reta

[Sally]

Yep, just once in a while. The walnuts etc are SO good for us, but for tiny birds, just too much fat.

[father0fseven]

I provide the millet and normal cups of diet. As soon as I see the chick willing to eat the other stuff, I stop providing the millet. The main reason for millet is to give them something easy and tasty to start them eatting on their own.

[skthurley]

Thanks for asking this question. I was wondering this as well. After a bit of reading about P'let diet I realized I had to get my little Jack off millet, so I'm glad he's eating his pellets as well as the millet, so I can remove the millet and know he won't starve.

[chapala]

I highly recommend a sprouted grain mix, at least 4 or 5 kinds chosen from a list I've posted many times. The mix can be soaked overnight, drained, rinsed and fed in the morning, and/or continue to sprout another 12 to 24 hours and it's even more nutritious at that point. Just until the little white roots barely show is the peak of nutrition for grain and seed sprouts. Millet, a grain, is fine as part of the grain mix to sprout.

Course once they're eating the grain sprouts, the finely minced or food processed vegetables can be added slowly until they're eating their green food daily. A little fruit is fine too. Legumes we'll talk about later.
Reta

[skthurley]

I started sprouting last night :D No little white shoots yet. I'm looking forward to providing healthier food for my little guy :D Thanks for all the help Reta!

[chapala]

After you rinse and overnight soak the grains, drain them into a strainer in the morning, rinse well, and just sit the strainer over a cup or small bowl to drain. You can feed the mix that morning, or continue to rinse a few times during the day until you see the little white roots showing. Then drain well - you want them not completely dry but not dripping wet. The sprouts will keep fine in the frig for several days.
Reta

[Sally]

Chipper loves her mixes.