The downside is that seeds are often high in fat, and don’t provide your bird with the nutrition he needs . However, a seed called millet is lower in fat and more nutritious than normal seeds. In fact, it is one of the most nutritious grains you can give your bird.
In itself, millet does not provide all the necessary nutrients that birds need . Therefore, it should never be used as a main food source but rather, offered as a treat in addition to a varied diet.
Why do birds like millet so much?
Millet is especially good for young birds because it provides the calories and protein to sustain their growth . Birds really love the taste and texture of this seed, too. This seed is a favorite for ground feeding birds such as juncos, cardinals, towhees, doves, quail and sparrows.
Why do birds eat millet seeds?
This satisfies the need to forage in birds because they have to take the seeds off the stalk . In fact, a stalk of millet will keep any bird entertained for quite some time. And, this foraging behavior will slow down the feed intake which prevents overeating, especially in caged birds.
You’ll find cardinals and finches will happily feast on this. In itself, millet does not provide all the necessary nutrients that birds need . Therefore, it should never be used as a main food source but rather, offered as a treat in addition to a varied diet.
Most birds love seeds and would probably eat them all the time if they had a choice. The downside is that seeds are often high in fat, and don’t provide your bird with the nutrition he needs. However, a seed called millet is lower in fat and more nutritious than normal seeds . In fact, it is one of the most nutritious grains you can give your bird.
You’ll find that most birds will prefer the white millet and will not touch the red at all. Therefore, if the bird mix you use contains a lot of red millet, you’ll also end up with a lot of waste. Millet for birds is usually sold in sprays where the seeds are left on the stalk.
So, why don’t birds eat their seed mixes?
“Seed mixes with lots of inexpensive ‘filler’ seeds often end up going largely to waste because those seeds aren’t preferred by most backyard birds ,” said Emma Greig, project leader of the Cornell Ornithology Lab’s Project Feeder, and watch.
Is millet good for budgies?
However, a seed called millet is lower in fat and more nutritious than normal seeds. In fact, it is one of the most nutritious grains you can give your bird . Millet aids in digestion and helps ease stress, making it a great treat during molting, weaning or breeding.
You might be asking “What is the difference between Millet and Milo seeds?”
Both are little round seeds that get kicked to the ground. Millet gets eaten (unless your mix is too heavy in millet), but milo is a filler – birds don’t like it. Be careful about using most commercial mixes from the grocery store or big box stores.
Does millet go bad?
No, millet cannot go bad unless left in a moist area and mold starts to grow on it. Yea, it sounds just fine. If you really want to make sure, squeeze some of the seeds between your fingernails and make sure that the seed doesn’t crumble. The hull should break away and leave a nice little millet seed .
As with any seed, when millet gets wet it germinates , and also can foster bacteria and fungal growth. So never scatter more than birds can eat in a day or two, and make sure that tray or platform feeders have excellent drainage.