adding oil to seed

[fishdance]

I thought I would try adding oil to seed, partly because it makes sense that oil is concentrated seed and mostly because I would like to improve my finch keeping skills and experiences. I have opted for a commercial product even though something from supermarket would probably be just as good if I knew what to aim for. Anyway, my first question; best way to add oil to dry seed is how? I have been putting 15ml with a kilo of mixed finch seed into a plastic bag. Rolling around then allowing to settle for several hours. Is there a better way? Does this coat seeds evenly? How does one tell if there is too much or little oil? Can it be left to settle too long?
My next question, how long is uneaten oil soaked seed safe to be left in ? Days are getting hot so is oil best used in winter? How does one know when it's good to be used and what are advantages- aims?
Wow didn't realise I had so many questions but this might help others too?
Winston

[monotwine]

I suppose the first question to ask is what you hope to achieve by adding oil to their diet. Are they lacking in oily seed? Do they need it? Where would they naturally get it if you did not offer it?
Often I find going the route of giving something in its natural form is far easier and safer.

Giving them a wide variety of good seed is usually sufficient for their oil intake. I've only given oil when I've needed to treat seed with medication.

Lets see what others say.

[KENTUCKY]

Hello fishdance
First and foremost what type of oil do you wish to feed your birds as a supplement,oils can become rancid in a very short time in hot and humid climate zones, I am talking about hours not days.
I only feed oiled seeds whatever my birds can consume in a short period of time, feeding my birds twice a day I have not had any problems, I know of Gouldian breeders who leave their oil coated seeds in the Aviary all day and dont have any problems either, just be aware of where your place your feeding station, avoid direct or filtered sunlight, look for a shady cool spot.
The only seed I will mix with oil is my sprouted seed, once mixed the night before, I put it in my fridge to be fed the next day, two reasons, the oil will soak itself into the seed kernel rather then just being coated, plus keeping it in the fridge is self explanatory.Oil coated dry seed to me is something I dont practice because its a waste of money, it may take too long for the seeds to be gobbled up and are spoiled by oil that has gone off, avoid it, you and your birds can only benefit from it. Cheers Kentucky

[Red]

I give a 1/4 of a teaspoon of cod liver oil per kilo of my dry seed. Basically it is the old school budgerigar breeders method of making sure birds kept indoors receive enough vitamin D. I only prepare a kilo at a time and keep excess in the fridge to stop it from going rancid. Rancid cod liver oil treated seed smells strongly of fish.

I mix the seed in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon or by hand. It can be fed immediately after mixing. 15ml/kg seems like a lot to me, what oil are you giving?

[Tiaris]

I add a mixture of seed based oils to all of my dry seed whilst mixing it (in a concrete mixer - or even by hand in a bucket would do). The rates I mix it at vary from just 2ml per kg for all of my basic finch mix up to 10ml/kg for a supplementary tonic type mix I use. I do so because dry seeds lose nutritional value over time &, unless very fresh and highly varied, are a low nutrient value food to base the majority of my birds' diet on. The oil supplements the amino acid content of dry seed significantly. I use a much lower concentration than you have used & at lower rates the oil is completely absorbed by the seed & within 24 hours from mixing is effectively just dry seed (perhaps with a bit more of a shine to it) which I treat exactly as I would treat dry seed in every way - store for long periods without refrigeration, feed in large seed hoppers which is on offer for weeks at a time, it still sprouts well months later if required, hot & cold weather do not affect it in any way. If mixed at lower rates (less than 10ml per kg of seed) and allowed a drying out period of at least a day prior to feeding, there is absolutely nothing to spoil or go off as its just dry seed which has absorbed a very small amount of extra seed-based nutrient.

[fishdance]

I am using a commercial product called "The Good Oil" by Passwell aimed specifically at birds. I follow the recommended dose for adding to dry seed but I am not sure what to look out for - good or bad and as a result I am unsure how to monitor any progress or its worthiness. The best time to seek advice is at the beginning if possible. The oil does not go off in the bottle so I wondered if/why it would when mixed with dry seed. Why am I adding oil to seed? (What are my goals?)

Some of the following reasons: I have Gouldians mid moult which I know can be hard on them. I suspect a single drop of oil is the equivalent of perhaps 500 seeds? (Just guessing). I am also hoping the oil makes dry seed more palatable and adds variety and interest to feeding for birds. (I am also feeding fresh sprouted seed and baby spinach several times a week). Apart from hoping for visible increase in the eating enjoyment by my birds, I'm aiming for any improvements in health/behaviour/shape/colour/food variety/nutrition/etc. I would also like to improve my finch keeping skill sets and even unproductive results can be very educational provided the birds don't suffer. Also the number of oil products on retail shelves seem to be increasing and although this may just be clever marketing, I would prefer to find out with personal experience and be guided by first hand experiences since the costs are quite low.

I have been careful not to change food sources and variety too quickly or with too much choice.

All comments are valued. Please continue to add more opinions if you do or don't add oil to your seed. Or when you add or when not to add etc.

Winston

[Myzomela]

Hi Winston,

It may actually be worthwhile speaking to the manufacturer to get some of your answers.

Since you are asking about a Passwell product, why don't you speak to Gordon Rich on 08 8391 1713who will answer many of your questions as well as explain the reasons for the dose rates recommended.