Fonio Paddy

[vettepilot_6]

Was it the Perilla that MuzzaD mentioned, Craig?
It is noted as having similar qualities.

Really? I cant find any thing on Perilla that says that? can you show me a link please?

[vettepilot_6]

Have I missed something, what has it got to do with coccidiosis?

Fonio well known as a natural product against cocci

[Craig52]

There is also that one they grow in Kununurra WA that has all those qualities but can't think of the name of it, tried to buy some when i was there but they wouldn't sell in small quantities. It might be the same seed, I did see chesnuts and yellow rumps getting into it in the crops. Craig.

Was it the Perilla that MuzzaD mentioned, Craig?
It is noted as having similar qualities.

Just remembered, it is Chia seed. Craig

[STUART WHITING]

Ive used perilla seed here in England for over 30 odd years and do still use it at times for particular species IE when young bullfinches have just been weaned and also a good few other various finches that are very partial to the seed,

As much as I'm aware of the seed having very good nutritional values and properties etc it does not have the same qualities as the Ugandan Fonio paddy seed and does not eliminate coxidosis

[starman]

Was it the Perilla that MuzzaD mentioned, Craig?
It is noted as having similar qualities.

Really? I cant find any thing on Perilla that says that? can you show me a link please?

I'll get you a link VP, it was not a scientific breakdown just the opinion of a European breeder who has used it to effect for some time.

[Tiaris]

I had a email "pen-pal" from northern England who specialised in breeding Red Siskins who used to regularly exchange emails with me on Rugby League and finch aviculture who said he regularly used white perilla seed as a tonic seed for his Siskins.
Also saw a young German finch breeder give a talk at the 2008 QFS finch convention who mentioned fonio paddy seed as part of his grass seed mix. I vaguely recollect looking it up at that time and I think it was a member of the digitaria genus - same genus as Summer grass which some also call crab grass - the main pasture variety used in Australian grazing industry is Premier digit grass which has a very similar seed head to summer grass & both are among the very best finch grass heads you can give your finches. Don't know about any medicinal effects of any digitaria species but they do make excellent finch rearing tucker at least.

[E Orix]

I have no idea what these obscure grasses look like or if they are available, I just feed greens and grains which seem to
fill the gap. It is available all the time and fed separately.
Qld Finch Society sell various special types of seed

[BrettB]

For anyone interested, here is a link about Fonia http://foodlorists.blogspot.com.au/2007 ... rance.html
And you are correct Tiaris, it is one of the digitaria.

I am sure it would make excellent finch food, as do many other seeds.
Is there any evidence to support its anti coccidiosis properties ?
Do all digitaria species have the same effect?

There is plenty of crab grass in my garden every summer, no need to import it

Cheers
Brett

[starman]

Is there any evidence to support its anti coccidiosis properties ?

This is the only write up that I have come across so far, Brett. I have not seen any attempts at isolating the ingredient responsible for killing the coccidiosis causing protozoa at laboratory level.
http://www.49w.us/fonio.htm

[starman]

There is also that one they grow in Kununurra WA that has all those qualities but can't think of the name of it, tried to buy some when i was there but they wouldn't sell in small quantities. It might be the same seed, I did see chesnuts and yellow rumps getting into it in the crops. Craig.

Was it the Perilla that MuzzaD mentioned, Craig?
It is noted as having similar qualities.

Just remembered, it is Chia seed. Craig

That is interesting, Craig.

Chia gets grouped with Perilla, Flax (linseed), Black Raspberry and a few others when comparing ingredients and properties.
I am yet to find anything that ties it to Fonio P .....still searching though.