Who Here Feeds Grass?

[Teddscau]

I was wondering whether or not you guys feed your birds freshly collected grass seed as well. I spend quite a few hours during the summer collecting lots of grass seed heads (I leave it attached to 2 or 3 inches of stem) to feed my birds. I freeze the extra stuff so they can have it during the winter. How about you guys?

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'd be too worried about contagions, pesticides, parasites...

Grass isn't supernutritious or worth the risk.

Lots of other good foods!

 

[EllenD]

Took the words right out of my mouth Gail...In this day and age, there are just way too many pesticides, toxins, ground-water contagions and parasites, just too many things that can make everything "outside", from plants to insects to the soil to the water, dangerous to lethal...It's the exact same reason why you should never, ever, ever feed your reptiles any insects you find outside. I know of more than a few people who have poisoned their bearded dragons by feeding them grubs, worms, and other insects that they've found outside. You have no idea what they are crawling through, living in, or eating...

And as Gail said, regardless of the risks, grass seed has little to no nutritional properties that are good for your birds, so it's definitely not worth the risk.

You'd be much better off, especially since you have several Budgies, if you were to plant your own millet seeds in a controlled garden that you know isn't contaminated with anything harmful, and grow your own nice, large millet-sprays for your birds. Or sprout all different types of seed in a controlled garden environment. This is not only much safer, but would actually benefit your birds nutritionally.