Sunflower seed sprouts question

[pinkdevil]

Ok so sunflower seeds are not good for birds unless in very small quantites. What about if they are sprouted? Once seeds sprout they become a vegie, so does this change the "badness" in the sunflower, or once a "bad seed" always a "bad seed"? lol

I have so many sunflower seeds in my mix that I have been removing them all and was going to sprout them but not sure if they would still be high in fat content.

Does anyone know?


Tasha

[rainbowfeathers77]

I wouldn't know Tash....ah duh... ....but what an EXCELLENT question!!! I would love to know that one too!!
Thanks for asking Tash!

[pinkdevil]

[summit]

Sunflower and safflower seeds are high in lipids (fat). That does not necessarily mean they are "bad" for birds, just in moderation using the same logic as with your own diet.

Sprouting sunflower and safflower seed does reduce this lipid content considerably, however it does not totally eliminate it. Sprouted sunflower is excellent (or eggcellent, haha) for young birds still in the nest when fed by the parents.

Linseed is another common seed in finch mix that is also very high in oils.

In my own experience I would not eliminate sunflower seed from my parrot mix's, however, I do limit the use of it. With winter here I have increased sunflower in the seed mix over the last month or two, purely to keep my birds in top condition after the breeding season (even though some pairs didn't read the memo this is now over for the year). The extra sunflower seed helps put on a little weight to help with those cold winter nights for those outside in the aviaries. I am only talking an extra kilo of seed in a 30 kilo mix, so the increase is minimal.

Simply, think of sunflower, in seed form or sprouted, as lollies (candy for Americans), a little is fine. Besides, these seeds become a great "tool" to bribe our pets that share our lives.

I hope this helps somewhat.

[rainbowfeathers77]

Thanks for that great info Summit!!!

[pinkdevil]

I have not totally cut out sunflower, but have been trying to limit the birds intake on it as I have read and was told by my vet, sunflower is the main contributor to fatty liver disease (as well as naughty things like pizza, buttered toast, etc) and for making birds "hot" and could be a factor for some birds feather plucking.

But the birds still get their fav seed ;D

[bickitrainer]

So sunflower seeds are not bad, they just have lots of fats? If you fed your bird alot of sunflower seeds, and your bird went flight training and did lots of excersise, would that be ok?

[robert]

I do know that sunflower seeds have some value. I have had Lovebirds who were addicted to it.That is why I will not ,or am extremely carefull that Precious has so few. I just don't want Precious demanding that I keep giving Her/Him Sunflower seeds. That is a NO NO!

[bickitrainer]

Bicki will do some tricks for any type of seed, but he will definitely do it for a sunflower seed. I show Bicki the treat he will get and then I command him, then I praise him.

That is exactly what happens to Bicki! No bicki!

[summit]

I see there may still be a little confusion about yes/no or how much sunflower seed to give. A very simple way to control the amount eaten is to use the seed mix you currently have, just don't change it when you see the sunflower seed gone. Leave it in the cage a second day and the birds will eat the remaining seed, so overall balancing their seed intake. (just don't leave the seed there for weeks)

The main point that shouldn't be over looked is the fact that seed in any birds diet is only PART of the over all balanced diet. Birds do need some lipids in their diet to sustain the energy required for daily activities.

Doctors will tell you that potato chips are bad for you (people) and avoid them, sure if you eat a large bag every day it may have some detrimental effects, but a hand full every other day really won't hurt most people. Same goes for birds and sunflower seed.