Help identifying these local seeds

For all your questions about diet and food for your finches
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Rod_L
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Posts: 495
Joined: 05 Mar 2018, 15:30
Location: Mandurah WA

Tiaris wrote: 10 Jan 2018, 08:03 All grass seeds are bird safe IMO. Green is more palatable than dry for most (maybe all) grass seeds.
big thumbs up for this. All grass seeds are safe for people (unless your a coeliac) and birds. And green grass seeds are much better than dry seed so don't waste your time drying and using later. Use them green for best results and use them as a supplement to the bird's normal dry seed mix. If you have a large chest freezer and nobody is going to complain, cut the seed stems and put in a plastic bag and freeze for later use. Make sure you defrost them for 30minutes before putting them in the cage. Frozen seed is not good for birds.

If you want to collect seed to grow, or to use as dry seed, wait until the seed heads have dried and are browning off, then collect the seed by putting the seed heads in a large plastic bag and shaking or tapping them. The loose seed should pop out into the bag and you don't have as much plant matter mixed in. You can also do what the school kids do and run your fingers along the flower stalk and put the handful of seed and husk into a bag.

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As mentioned as well, watch out for herbicide. Any grass that is not on your property and you know is completely free of chemicals, should be used with caution. Councils have a stupid habit of spraying wild grasses when they are seeding and many don't use coloured dyes in the herbicide. If you have an area of wild grasses then walk past it each day to monitor it. Keep an eye out for tyre tracks from council vehicles and any signs saying spraying in progress.
Grasses that have been sprayed with herbicide will start to wilt within 24 hours and generally turn brown within a few days. If you suspect they have been sprayed, err on the side of caution and do not use them.

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Forgot to add, if you want green grass seeds for your birds, grow your own in pots. Grass is the easiest plant to grow. Handful of finch seed in a pot with some potting mix, water fertilise, wait 2 months and green seed.
death to all cats & ants
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