Grass

[skthurley]

A few weeks ago I was surfing the net looking for inexpensive bird toy websites and I came across several sites offering 'grow your own grass' sort of things. What are the benefits of this grass? What kinds of grass are healthy for birds? Do birds need to eat grass? I remember someone one time saying they liked to grow it and dampen it so their birds could have a bath in the grass.

http://www.beakappetit.com/grasscafe.html

[trixiebon]

wow, I have heard of growing pet grass for dogs and cats, but not birds. I like this question and although I am not experienced enough to answer, I am going to be interested in the replies. lol.

[chapala]

Wheat grass is quite nutritious for the first and second cuttings, and then is discarded. Easy to grow in a pot. Soak the whole wheat berries overnight, then plant in a shallow pot or tray (with drain holes) of potting mix. Keep damp, not sopping wet, and in good light, and you soon will see the wheat grass sprouting up. You can cut it with scissors when it's about 2", finely chop and add to your bird's food. Or see if your bird likes the longer blades. I'd keep the bird out of the soil though!
Reta

[skthurley]

Thanks Reta! I thought about buying some of the grass kits they offer for growing grass for cats in my local pet store. There are no certain grasses I should avoid? I looked at the ingredients of the grass kits and most are wheat grass. Next time I head to the pet store I'll grab a kit and see how Jack takes to it. I'll likely cut it and add it to his mash. thanks again!

[kiwismom]

I've grown some of the wheat grass for Kiwi a couple times. Initially, he went right to it but after a couple days he didn't care for it anymore and didn't touch it at all after that. It looked pretty in his cage though!

[chapala]

I do use powdered organic wheat grass (and alfalfa leaf and barley grass) as natural supplements - just a little pinch on the morning food. Full of nutrition! I have grown wheat grass in the past maybe 5 years ago, but now just stick to the powdered versions.
Reta

[unpoquito]

Of course, my plets won't eat the wheat grass. I grew it, they ignored it, so I gave it to my dog (who loved it!). lol

[skthurley]

LOL! Well, I'll grow some and see how Jack takes to it. If it ends up he's not kneen on it, I can always run it through the food processor with the rest of his veggies.

[skthurley]

So I have grown grass.

lol

I bought a small planter, and some potting soil, tossed in some of Jack's seed mix (which was mainly red and white millet), covered, watered and let it grow. 5 days later I had a nice 3 inch patch growing.

This morning I chopped off the top 2 inches, and cut it into smaller pieces and added to Jack's breakfast. He had 1/2 grass, 1/4 sprouts and 1/4 mash.

He ate it all up. At first he was very tentative, but it's all gone save for a tiny bit. Yay!

[chapala]

The grain grasses are quite nutritious, and it's very easy to grow them as you have figured out! Only the first two cuttings are used, then the rest is tossed out (onto compost if you have it). Wheat berries grow into nutritious wheat grass, etc. If you soak the grains overnight, they will sprout much quicker.

[BeakerLuvsBunsen]

I heard they like to bathe in the wet grass-- much like wet lettuce or kale

[Rosekeet]

Wheat grass is good for people too! I used to work at a smoothie shop where we grew our own wheat grass. We fed it through a special juicer to make "wheat grass" shot. We had customers that came in every morning for their wheat grass shot. It maybe good for you, but personally i could never get past the taste.... tastes like I imagine licking a lawnmower would taste like.

[skthurley]

lol! lol! That is great! lol!

[raiven]

Well, I tried soaking some mung beans and that worked out well. I think the birdies are a bit suspicious of them though. They are quite soft after soaking so I will start adding them to the the processor with their chopped mix. I also found powdered kelp in the bulk bins so was able to buy a smallish amount and it was less then a dollar rather then buying a big jar that we would never use up in twenty years.:rolleyes:

So, along with their powdered wheat grass (just a pinch mixed in to the veggies) I think the birdies have a good diet now using mainly raw ingredients. Sadie still loves her Harrison's pellets so she gets a few at supper time to pick at as she likes. Baby Healey gets a sprinkle of the Totally Organics in the morning as topper on his fresh veggies.

[Rosekeet]

It took over a week of giving Darcy sprouted seeds and legumes before he would do more than give them a passing glance. I went home for lunch today, though, and he was munching happily away. Hopefully he'll start eating vegetables soon, too.

[chapala]

The more easily digested legumes (mung, lentil, adzuki, whole pea, garbanzo) must be soaked overnight and then either fully sprouted or cooked before feeding. If sprouting, they need to have 1/2" tails (roots) before being ready. Grains can be fed after overnight soaking, but it is not advisable to do that with any of the recommended legumes.

Cello won't eat legume sprouts in a mix, so I run them through the food processor with the vegetables and they disappear into the mash.

[raiven]

I did not mention that the beans were properly sprouted. I think Sadie thought they were little worms or some evil plant thing at first but I will just put them in the processor with the other veggies and all will be good. :) Baby Healey is starting to eat his veggies in chopped form now and not just picking out the soak seed/grain mix.

[skthurley]

It's always great hearing birds trying and enjoying new, healthy foods :D