Omega Feeds - Maxicoat (supplement)

[Lukec]

Hi Guys

A gentlemen from this forum uses this product, and gave me some to trial.

It is sun flower kernels mixed with vitamins and minerals and is high in omega 3 & 6 oils, and thus high in protein (26%) and fat (47.5%)

Given the fat content, i would be worried in offering too much, however i am wondering if anyone else here has had experience with this?

I started to offer to my Siskins a few months ago and they didnt touch it till last week, and now they are dead keen on it. It seems to coincide with them starting to moult.

Cheers
Luke

[west finch]

Looks like it may be our little secret Luke , They don’t know what there missing .

[Lukec]

Sorry west finch was i suppose to keep that secret

[E Orix]

Someone may be able to comment on the following.
Are Sunflower seeds/flour a Narcotic to seed eaters.
I am pretty sure Cockatoos that have feed on it for some time go through withdrawl when taken off the Sunflower seeds.
That is the reason I have kept away from that seed.

[Myzomela]

The narcotic effect of sunflower seed was a story propagated years ago to explain why birds seemed to be addicted to it once they started eating it.
We now know that there is no narcotic/addictive chemical in sunflower seeds. It is purely the high fat content which makes it so desirable.

As far as this particular seed product is concerned, I would be very careful about it going rancid. Anything precoated in fatty acids like omega 3 & 6 would be highly susceptible to going rancid once exposed to air & heat. Therefore, storage of such products is important and if it was me I would be storing it in the fridge. If possible buy smaller amounts which you would use up more quickly.

It may be great for siskins, but adding vitamins, minerals and omega fatty acids still doesn't change the very high fat content of this seed, so use it sparingly & avoid using it in species susceptible to obesity eg parrot finches, galahs etc.

[Lukec]

Thought that may be the case Myzo.

Cheers

[E Orix]

Thanks Myzo,we learn something every day

[west finch]

Interesting comments , Some of the “better breeders “ say no Niger no Siskin , Red and yellow Siskins come from south America ! were in that country do you find Niger growing wild ? nowhere it’s a native of Africa . I have never feed Niger but this year started using the Maxi coat sunflower to my Siskins and Gold finches and this is the first year I have bred both species .After having kept them for some time. these birds have evolved to handle high oil seed diets and tend to get fat if feed only finch mix ( to much carbohydrates )other breeders in this area that do not use sunflower have not bred a bird where as I have 12 young Siskins and 4 Gold finches , May be coincidence but i works for Me, that’s all I can comment on my own experiences .

[Myzomela]

I agree, interesting comments all round.

Eorix, the day I stop learning something from this forum is the day I need to take a long hard look at myself (Agggh-scary thought!)

Westfinch, where do wild red siskins get access to sunflower seeds in the wild? I thought sunflowers were native to North America only? I do take your point. It's always dangerous being dogmatic in this hobby. There nearly always is an exception to prove us wrong.

[west finch]

After further research it appears that will sunflowers played a part in the ancient Incas in South America and was used by the Mexicans from there it was domesticated by the north Americans. So it appears siskins may have evolved to eat sunnys after all. May explain something .