MAKING my own seed mix?!

[Sunni Tiel]

I just realized it could be a possibility to make my own seed mix for my cockatiel, Is this a possibility? This way I can ensure he's getting the right food.

If I did end up doing this, what should I put in it? Here's a list of the seeds on the packages I'm feeding.

White porso
Safflower,
Canary seed
Sunflower, (I take it out and use it for treats)
Oat groats
buckwheat
raisins,
carrot,
papaya
spinach
safflower oil
soy flour,
Vitamin E supplement
zinc oxide,
ferrous sulfate
calcium carbonate
niacin
vitamin A acetate
copper sulfate
ascorbic acid,
sodium chloride
thiamine mononitrate
Vitamin D3 supplement
riboflavin
pyridoxine
hydrochloride
folic acid
calcium pantothenate
vitamin B12 supplement
inositol
potassium chloride
magnesium oxide
dicalcium phosphate
choline chloride
ethylenediamine dihydriodide

Oh MAN that was long. I could delete some of that for space, but it took so long I don't want to. I think the only actual seeds in it are safflower, canary seed, buckwheat, oat groats, and white proso. Is that all I would need to add in my own? anything else? I don't know half of the other things, are they just stuff in the seeds or something?

Does anyone else make their own?

 

[DesertBird]

I don't know what tiels need in their diet, but this the recipe I used for my budgies. I think the chia seeds might be too small for a tiel, so you might want to replace that with something else.

1/2 lb millet
1/2 lb quinoa
1 cup oat groats
1 cup hemp seed
1/2 cup whole brown flax seed
1 cup chia seed
1/2 cup rape seed
1 cup rolled oats

 

[tka]

With respect, if you don't know what the other stuff is, I'm not sure you should be making your own seed mix. The "other stuff" are important vitamins and minerals that help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Things like salt (sodium chloride/NaCl) are necessary for nerve functioning. We still don't know exactly what wild parrots eat but we do know that many species of wild parrot will gather at clay licks to ingest salt and other minerals. If you look at a human multivitamin, you will find many similar ingredients.

Vitamin E supplement
zinc oxide = zinc supplement
ferrous sulfate = iron supplement
calcium carbonate = calcium supplement
niacin = vitamin B3
vitamin A acetate
copper sulfate, = copper, an essential mineral
ascorbic acid, = vitamin C
sodium chloride = salt, necessary for nerve function
thiamine mononitrate = vitamin B1
Vitamin D3 supplement
riboflavin = vitamin B2
pyridoxine = vitamin B6
hydrochloride = this is incomplete - it should be [something] hydrochloride
folic acid = vitamin B9
calcium pantothenate = vitamin B5
vitamin B12 supplement
inositol = many functions: Inositol - Wikipedia
potassium chloride = potassium, also necessary for nerve functioning
magnesium oxide = magnesium
dicalcium phosphate = another calcium supplement, also phosphorus
choline chloride = similar functions to B vitamins: CHOLINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews
ethylenediamine dihydriodide = iodine, deficiency causes goitres in humans

I agree that the seed mix isn't the most varied or interesting mix. However, if you decide to make your own, you must use a good veterinary supplement or your bird will miss out on important vitamins and minerals. A pinch on your tiel's fresh food would be more than adequate. Including pellets in the diet will also help counter nutritional deficiencies.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

With respect, if you don't know what the other stuff is, I'm not sure you should be making your own seed mix. The "other stuff" are important vitamins and minerals that help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Things like salt (sodium chloride/NaCl) are necessary for nerve functioning. We still don't know exactly what wild parrots eat but we do know that many species of wild parrot will gather at clay licks to ingest salt and other minerals. If you look at a human multivitamin, you will find many similar ingredients.

Vitamin E supplement
zinc oxide = zinc supplement
ferrous sulfate = iron supplement
calcium carbonate = calcium supplement
niacin = vitamin B3
vitamin A acetate
copper sulfate, = copper, an essential mineral
ascorbic acid, = vitamin C
sodium chloride = salt, necessary for nerve function
thiamine mononitrate = vitamin B1
Vitamin D3 supplement
riboflavin = vitamin B2
pyridoxine = vitamin B6
hydrochloride = this is incomplete - it should be [something] hydrochloride
folic acid = vitamin B9
calcium pantothenate = vitamin B5
vitamin B12 supplement
inositol = many functions: Inositol - Wikipedia
potassium chloride = potassium, also necessary for nerve functioning
magnesium oxide = magnesium
dicalcium phosphate = another calcium supplement, also phosphorus
choline chloride = similar functions to B vitamins: CHOLINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews
ethylenediamine dihydriodide = iodine, deficiency causes goitres in humans

I agree that the seed mix isn't the most varied or interesting mix. However, if you decide to make your own, you must use a good veterinary supplement or your bird will miss out on important vitamins and minerals. A pinch on your tiel's fresh food would be more than adequate. Including pellets in the diet will also help counter nutritional deficiencies.

Yes I only just realized it was a possibility, I've been doing research since I posted and will continue to. I wouldn't feed it unless I knew it was complete and had everything necessary. Your post was helpful! I also feed pellets, different kinds mixed together. Could I just have my list of seeds + some of @DesertBird 's, anything else you recommend, and his pellets?

I of course will continue to do my research, I just wanted to post here for recommendations and suggestions.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

I don't know what tiels need in their diet, but this the recipe I used for my budgies. I think the chia seeds might be too small for a tiel, so you might want to replace that with something else.

1/2 lb millet
1/2 lb quinoa
1 cup oat groats
1 cup hemp seed
1/2 cup whole brown flax seed
1 cup chia seed
1/2 cup rape seed
1 cup rolled oats

This list was super helpful! What kind of millet do you use?

 

[Sunni Tiel]

if you decide to make your own, you must use a good veterinary supplement or your bird will miss out on important vitamins and minerals. A pinch on your tiel's fresh food would be more than adequate.

Good information! Do you have any recommendations?

 

[Sunni Tiel]

What about this one @tka

Amazon.com : Lafeber's Avi-Era Powdered Bird Vitamin 1.25 oz : Pet Supplements And Vitamins : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Lafeber's Avi-Era Powdered Bird Vitamin 1.25 oz : Pet Supplements And Vitamins : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

 

[DesertBird]

This list was super helpful! What kind of millet do you use?

I just used the one I could find at my local health food store.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

I just used the one I could find at my local health food store.

OK.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

What if I did this

And added that supplement I posted earlier? I feed pellets too so if it was milling vitamins it wouldn't be a big deal. If I did do this, what else do I need to add/take out?
Thanks!

 

[finchly]

Are you feeding seed only, or other foods too?

That list looks super, I think your tiel would like it.
The supplement you linked looks good as well.
The one thing you could add for good health is to sprout some of those seeds. Sprouts turn seeds into powerhouse packets.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Are you feeding seed only, or other foods too?

That list looks super, I think your tiel would like it.
The supplement you linked looks good as well.
The one thing you could add for good health is to sprout some of those seeds. Sprouts turn seeds into powerhouse packets.

Thanks! I will totally try sprouting! I feed him roudybush pellets, kaytee pellets, and the pellets they fed him at the parrot store along with seeds. I might not even do this, even if I do it'll be in a while. This was just an Idea, Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Thanks! I will totally try sprouting! I feed him roudybush pellets, kaytee pellets, and the pellets they fed him at the parrot store along with seeds. I might not even do this, even if I do it'll be in a while. This was just an Idea, Thanks everyone for the input!

Oh forgot to say he gets organic veggies clipped to his cage and chop every day.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

I shortened the list a little, because some things on there were too expensive and some not available.
Here's what I got.

2 cups whole wheat berries
1 1/2 cup hulled barley
4 cups millet, buckwheat, red & white quinoa mix
1 1/2 cups whole spelt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup oat groats
2 cups hemp, flax and chia* mix
Plus the supplement I listed earlier.

* @DesertBird said they think the chia might be too small, is it? *

 

[Shezbug]

Burt eats chia but I add it on top of other foods...

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Burt eats chia but I add it on top of other foods...

Would It be OK for the cockatiel? I wouldn't be able to put it on top of the food, it's mixed in the hemp and flax mix.

 

[Shezbug]

Top left: sesame
Middle left: poppy
Bottom left: tri colour quinoa
Top right: chia
Bottom right: millet


Check out the size difference and you make a decision that you’re comfortable with.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Top left: sesame
Middle left: poppy
Bottom left: tri colour quinoa
Top right: chia
Bottom right: millet

View attachment 374915
Check out the size difference and you make a decision that you’re comfortable with.

Thank you so much!
I think I will just go with the mix, but put less of it maybe. They look like a little more than half a millet seed. The chia seeds in the mix will probably all fall to the bottom of the bag, I could scoop out the rest and just throw out the leftover chia. A little bit couldn't hurt if there was still some in the mix. If I did that he would probably get 1-3 chia seeds at most a day because there's so much of the other stuff.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

OR I could just buy flax separately and not get the mix, It would leave me without Hemp, but that would be fine, right? I can't find any good, organic hemp anywhere else.
Edit: plus it would be 5$ cheaper

 

[dollfish]

I hear that quinoa needs to be rinsed especially for small birds but I can't remember the reason. There was another issue with flaxseed but then again I can't remember. Anyone?

Also I give:
Rolled oats
Millet
Sesame
Quinoa
Ground up hazelnut and almond
Ground up pellets

To my guest budgie from time to time.