Adding variety to my seed mix

[stace]

I'm thinking of adding some variety to my regular Trill seed mix by adding a few extra seed types.

Does anyone know which of these might be good to use or give me any other suggestions?

Quinoa
thistle seed
amaranth
flax seed
sesame seed
niger seed
flax seed
fennel seed
hemp seed

[mizloco]

I just brought a new seed with extra variety of seeds plus vegetables and fruit and my two have turned their noses up at it. I persevered but gave in just now and put their trill back in. I think they are so fussy.

[stace]

May 27, 2013 11:35:52 GMT mizloco said:

I just brought a new seed with extra variety of seeds plus vegetables and fruit and my two have turned their noses up at it. I persevered but gave in just now and put their trill back in. I think they are so fussy.

They are little fusspots, but I thought I'd try. Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all!

They eat so much more diversity in the wild, I thought it might be helpful to throw a few things in the mix. Love to find some milk thistle seed. Don't know where I'd get it. 

[mizloco]

Let me know what success you have and I will try with my two fusspots.

[nat]

I add small amounts of hemp seed which they love but is quite fattening and also I add niger seed. They like the niger seed too and its especially useful for weaning chicks as its easy to dehusk.
I have tried milk thistle seeds, but they seem to big and tough for the buds to break open.
Fennel is meant to be good, but I noticed not much was eaten. Perhaps I should have perservered for longer.

[Deleted]

Munchy loves fennel leaves, but he never touched the seeds. Might be an easier thing to do when you have a young bird not yet used to eating only specific seed types. Although Munchy's had Trill ever since his pet shop mix seeds ran out and he seems to chew at the oats and drop them once opened (no idea if he gets anything out at all) but seems to ignore the groats completely, as far as I can tell. *Shrug*

Still, sounds like an awesome idea, Stace

[stace]

Okay, I'll see how I go. I'm not going to replace the Trill, just slip a few extra seed types in there.

Gee they are picky these guys. If they were out in the wild, wouldn't they have to eat what nature gave them? Or are they fusspots out there too, I wonder.

[Hezz]

I have only found a couple of different types of grasses they aren't keen on.

nat, agree with the milk thistle seeds. I even tried giving them a pound with pestle - they are hard little beggars all right, and they didn't eat them then.

[BudgiesBuddy]

I use...

flax seed
sesame seed
niger seed

[stace]

Jun 2, 2013 9:47:31 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

I use...

flax seed
sesame seed
niger seed

I had a look through your thread when I was thinking about mixing up some new seeds. You really feed your birds well, BB. 

[BudgiesBuddy]

Jun 2, 2013 10:37:49 GMT stace said:

Jun 2, 2013 9:47:31 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

I use...

flax seed
sesame seed
niger seed

I had a look through your thread when I was thinking about mixing up some new seeds. You really feed your birds well, BB. 

We all try to do our best

[birdguhl]

I have just started using this as a supplement to pellets:

www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/birds/supplements/supplementary_food/199047

I was looking for a good seed mix which didn't have vegetable oil added (as Mayfields does) because of the fat issue, and this seemed like a good possibility.

I tried quite hard to get Bucktons as it seemed the best quality but it was hard to source (don't sell direct to public), so I am giving this a go.

The boys have been chucking unfamiliar elements (mung beans as well as others) but they might get the notion to nibble a sprout or two at some point.

[Deleted]

I found some wild bird seed containing millets and a few other things that looked interesting including oyster shell grit, but sadly the mix has soya oil, so I might just give it to the wild birds as was intended.