Safe "Weeds" by MKar280

DizzyBlue

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Hi all! I've been doing some foraging in the garden as of late, as we've got a bunch of new things growing. Many are considered 'weeds', but many are sage sage eat and actually have some wonderful health benefits!
I'd really like to encourage growth of many of these, with plans to add them into to my fids diet. I also have a small shop making bird treats, toys etc. And would like to incorporate some into a new mix I'm working on.
Some I know for sure are safe, like Dandelion, Sow thistle, etc. But a few I'm having trouble trying to find any information on... I have found a few mentions but wanted to see if anyone has links to any articles etc. I could browse.
Obviously I want to be sure for my own flock, but if I plan adding any to my treat mixes to sell, I need to be 100% sure for the sake of customers birds health and safety. 😁

Current plants I'm looking for information on in regards to parrots and feeding are;

Bittercress (Cardamine flexuosa/Cardamine hirsuta),
Creeping cinquefoil/five leaf grass (Potentilla reptans),
Herb Robert (geranium robertianum)
Willowherb (Square-stalked. Epilobium tetragonum)
 
@dianaT @Mkar280 @Roz

Many apologies I pressed the wrong button trying to add some links and the whole flipping thread vanished before my eyes!!!
Won't let me reinstate the original thread for some reason so have had to try and copy it and paste it from a "ghost image"
 
Trying to do it again.... hang on to your perches peeps!!

Right try these links to lists we have....

Remember safety first don't collect anything you cannot guarantee has not had weed killer, or plant food or is from near a road side or an area where people walk their dogs or where a farmer may have been crop spraying! Plants are systemic they absorb what is around them and retain it in their stems/leaf/petals etc.

Flowers & Petals | The Parrot Club
Weed-Ilicious! Weed Or Not Free Vits :) | The Parrot Club
Dandelion Nutrition - nature's powerhouse. | The Parrot Club
Say It With Flowers | The Parrot Club
Herbs And Spices | The Parrot Club
Vegetables | The Parrot Club
Beans / Pulses / Lentils | The Parrot Club
Fruit And Berries | The Parrot Club
Safe Wood | The Parrot Club
You can only use Ceylon Cinnamon not Cassia or Chinese

Avoid the following items on this list
Toxic Trees And Plants | The Parrot Club
Food To Avoid | The Parrot Club

Remember too much of a good thing can also be bad!

Parsley contains oxalic acid. Oxalic acid grabs calcium and forms calcium oxalate – the main ingredient in kidney stones

Powdered or whole Ceylon cinnamon is safe for parrots - The Cassia/Chinese cinnamon is NOT SAFE because of extremely high levels of coumarin, a blood thinner that is toxic and can cause liver damage or failure.
 
Of your list of questions.... lets see

You have Wavy Bittercress and Hairy Bittercress..... safe BUT its one of those that it has a moderation guide line so only a little bit as it large amounts it is builds up and becomes toxic so perhaps give those two a miss
Creeping cinquefoil is none toxic
Herb Robert .... its other name is Death Come Quickly! Err give that one a miss
Willowherb that one is not toxic, they are really high in tannins and usually unpalatable give that one a miss

Thing is though you also need to research the nutritional value of something as you need to ensure that what your feeding is balanced and covers all the bird requires so if your just adding for a spot of taste variety then that's ok ... washed, "organic", fresh and only in very small quantities and not daily. Another thing to consider is like humans birdies have a taste preference as well some like one thing and hate another... trial and error. I tend to stick to the stuff I know is nutritionally beneficial.
 
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