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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 16, 2020 17:02:05 GMT
From time to time I've read threads here discussing good greens that can be picked in the wild for your budgie. I found this YouTube video that I thought was good so I'm posting it here. I hope some of you will like it also.
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Post by jellybean on Jun 16, 2020 19:53:34 GMT
The wonderful Dr Ross Perry, what knowledge this man has. Love him.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 16, 2020 20:27:12 GMT
Thanks jellybean. Sorry if I've posted something that is well known to the experts here. I'm still learning and have picked up a lot of useful information on this forum. Hopefully the other "new" members feel the same. I did like the way Dr Perry did this video and I'll have to look for other information that he has posted. I have enjoyed the gracious way that the experts here share their knowledge. |
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Post by jellybean on Jun 16, 2020 21:10:21 GMT
We are all learning tweetiepiesmom, I came across Ross Perry years ago when I was, like yourself, thirsty for knowledge about these gorgeous little birds. He has such a calming voice, and to watch his interaction with birds is a joy to behold. I had seen that video before, but enjoyed watching it again, so thanks for posting and sharing it for others who maybe haven't seen it before to enjoy. |
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Post by willowsmum on Jun 16, 2020 22:56:01 GMT
Thanks tweetiepiesmom that's really useful, I haven't come across Dr Perry before. It's interesting that he suggested giving some of the grasses with the roots and soil still attached. I've been picking seeding grasses for Willow from the garden but I've always cut off any of the roots which were attached. I have noticed though that Willow seems to spend just as much time chewing the cut stems of the grasses as he does the seed heads so maybe he would like the roots too. Does anyone else feed the roots and soil to their buds? |
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 16, 2020 23:12:57 GMT
I give my guys wheat grass that has been grown hydroponically so it still has the roots and some seed attached but no soil. I just grab a hunk off and clip it to their cage. I've noticed that Buddy seems to like the roots and the seed that has germinated. It does make sense that they could get some minerals from the soil. When I can't get the hydroponically grown grass I get some that has been grown organically in soil and it comes in a little pot. Next time I'll try clipping that to their cage with the roots and soil attached and see if they eat those roots and any soil.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 17, 2020 1:26:03 GMT
Soil can be an iffy subject because of the diversity. A lot of potting mixes have things in them that you don't what your budgie eating (fertilizer for eg), soil isn't sterile so many people will go "eww" at that fact, not knowing what has been in or at the soil previously. And then comes the question of grit.  My budgies have all, always, gone down onto the floor to pick at bits of dirt on the floor or on the door mat. In fact I feel a bit sorry when I've just cleaned and they go down looking for whatever it is that they look for. Budgies are not supposed to have or need grit apparently but tell my little guys that.  Glad you found him interesting, tweetiepiesmom, and yes my birds enjoy the stems just as much, as well. It can help to have a visual on what is commonly available if you don't know the names of specific grasses. I have names for about half the grasses I pick. |
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Post by blue48 on Jun 17, 2020 7:49:27 GMT
Thanks tweetiepiesmom. When I go foraging I've often wondered if any of the other plants are something they can eat. Some great ideas there, although my boy is still as picky as ever about what he will eat that isn't seed. I did buy some pea shoots in the supermarket the other day. He had a nibble at those |
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Post by willowsmum on Jun 17, 2020 8:56:23 GMT
I have names for about half the grasses I pick. I know what you mean Hezz. I'm not bad at wild flower identification but wild grasses are a whole new ballgame! I can narrow some of them down to a type of couch grass or a type of brome but there's just too many and they are all too similar! Thank goodness we can feed all of them safely and I don't need to worry about all of their names |
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jun 17, 2020 15:45:23 GMT
Thanks Hezz, I hadn't thought about what the potting soil might be and just because its labelled "organic" doesn't mean that it might contain things our budgies shouldn't eat. |
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Post by Hezz on Jun 18, 2020 0:37:47 GMT
If you stick to native, natural meadow grasses then you are safe. Ornamental grasses are to be avoided as, apparently, they can contain toxins.
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My budgies have all, always, gone down onto the floor to pick at bits of dirt on the floor or on the door mat. In fact I feel a bit sorry when I've just cleaned and they go down looking for whatever it is that they look for. Budgies are not supposed to have or need grit apparently but tell my little guys that. 
