casuarina seeds

[Bmac27]

Does anyone use casuarina seed in their aviaries or has anyone used it in the past ?
If so how did it fare ?
Ive been trialling alternative herb and grass seeds recently and after reading thru an old fincho book of mine I realised that I actually have dozens of female casuarina trees in the reserve across from my house full of ripening nuts .
I have harvested about 12 kilos so far and now have to wait 3-4 weeks for them to open and drop seed .... Am I wasting my time or am I picking winners ?

[Tiaris]

I've used it in the past & its a great finch food. Natural for Redbrows, Parrotfinches & some Firetails but many other finches eat it too. Very worthwhile considering you only have to collect & dry the cones. Little bit goes a long way.

[wagga]

Yes you are on a winner. The casuarina pine cones are a main major part of the diet of the local Glossy Black cockatoo's. After the cockies leave their path of destruction below, fallen cones, the Redbrow finches will be seen searching for the dispersed casuarina seeds.

I found that unopened seed cones placed in large containers on the hot concrete driveway or similar area would dry them out enough for the seeds to be released. Keep the seeds dry and they will last a very long time.

[Bmac27]

Excellent ,
Thanks Tiaris and Wagga for the input .
I have had them out in the sun today and ive harvested a decent amount for a first day .
I was wondering though what amount and how often I should feed them out .
I cant seem to find much on dietary percentages for the casuarina anywhere .
The finches in my colony are ...
Crimsons , Tannimbars , Diamonds , Green Singers , Strawbs , Blue Caps , Melbas .
I had thought about including them in my herb mix but will feed in a separate dish .

[crazy cuban]

whens the best time to collect casuarina seeds

[Trilobite]

The best time is before the cones open , and are mature, go and have a look at the tree and yo will see a range of sizes and colours and roughness, the larger rough lighter coloured ones are more mature.

Put the cones some where hot and dry (not sealed) and they will open very quickly - alternatievly on a bench in aircon (ie in your office if your a shiny bum public servant) then given then a rattle in a bag and remove the cones - your left with clean seed.

I would suggest little and often - you will find the birds will pig out when new in the diet then settle when it becomes mainstream.

And when you have enough start selling commercial quantities to forum members.

[Bmac27]

Right now crazy cuban ...
They are mature and ready to pick

An intriguing thought there trilobite ... do you think there would be many people interested in purchasing them ??
It is such a tedious job but if anyone is interested in purchasing an amount PM me and ill take names and numbers and give it some serious consideration and possibly do a harvest run down south of where I am .... ive cleaned out my reserve , luckily thelocal fauna seems to have over looked my little patch of gold !

[crazy cuban]

I've heard it works out to be roughly $200 a kilo for all the time and effort

[matcho]

Is the casuarina the same as what I know as "she oak"? If so found a large grove within walking distance from home whilst walking the dogs. Funny how you just don't notice things right in front of your face as I have walked through this area hundreds of times and even collected the soft pollen head from under the trees for nesting material. Didn't give the cone a second thought.

[Trilobite]

Yes same thing