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seed

Posted: 02 Oct 2010, 19:28
by jusdeb
I know we are probably buying the end of last years seed stores but the last buyup of finch mix and small parrot was very ordinary indeed.
Ive never seen so much dust and spent husks and totally gave up trying to sieve it in the wind ( hayfever ) Im not sure if Im imagining it but the birds seem to be scattering it a lot more to pick out certain seeds.
I buy it in 10 kg bags so didnt see the seed till it was opened .Anyhoo where do people buy their seed from ? And are they happy with the quality ?

Re: seed

Posted: 02 Oct 2010, 19:38
by gomer
My canary seed and yellow panicum were very ordinary,same problem very dusty.Was actually thinking of winnowing it.

Re: seed

Posted: 02 Oct 2010, 19:43
by jusdeb
Is the dust and husks an indication that the seed is old ?

Re: seed

Posted: 02 Oct 2010, 20:29
by gomer
I have been told it goes dusty when aged.But i have keep seed for years in a drum once and it had not gone dusty.I think its more of a harvesting or cleaning issue mostly myself.

Re: seed

Posted: 02 Oct 2010, 23:14
by Diane
Im on my third bag of Organic Natures Harvest (20kg bags :?: ) and Ive been very happy with the quality of the seed, seems very clean and cant say Ive seen any husks.
I feed this as a main seed and also offer red panicum, canary seed, oats and a black seed mix.
I am always growing these seeds, the germination rates seem good there is always a good coating of green in the pot after a few days.

see topic
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2993&hilit=+organic

Re: seed

Posted: 03 Oct 2010, 09:18
by jusdeb
I will be doing the rounds tomorrow of the produce stores to see if they can order different seeds from different companies ..Avigrain looks to have good seed and can be bought online but it does add $10 to each 10 kilos for freight .
Will ask about the organic harvest also .

Re: seed

Posted: 03 Oct 2010, 09:48
by Pete Sara
A few years ago I had a problem with red and yellow panicum, the birds would eat everything but that, so I tried to germinate some , it didnt grow , so I got seed from four different places the same results , all crap but as of late it seems to be all good. On another note with that kind of dust could cause a silo to go boom if given the right conditions and a good spark or flame , it makes you wonder what house keeping process are in place.....pete

Re: seed

Posted: 03 Oct 2010, 10:32
by jusdeb
Just did the weekly cage cleanups , the amount of uneaten seed in the catch trays is unbelievable , tried to let the wind clean the seed up a bit but just too much husk and dust.
Defieately a priority to find better seed for the finches .

Re: seed

Posted: 03 Oct 2010, 14:02
by Diane
Natures Harvest is "Produced and Packed by SEED DISTRIBUTORS" according to the back of their leaflet.
Used in the Adelaide Zoo.

I buy mine locally through the feed store.

Re: seed

Posted: 03 Oct 2010, 14:39
by jusdeb
Have emailed your supplier Di , see who can get it around here ...Also have found a small bird seed supplier in Orange 1 1/2 away and will check out another local tomorrow , surely Ill get some where ...thinking I need to ask if the seed is vacuumed before its packaged .