KittleRox 2,147 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 (edited) Some of the wildfoods which folks can give there birds. I reckon theres nothing better you can give your birds as far as keeping them healthy and in condition, I,ll try my best to give times of year to collect, what part of plants to use and properties of each plant, some descriptions will have ??? as I am unfamiliar with these plants myself but there is some reference of people using these for there birds.Many references to properties and health benefits are from herbal medicine and there effects on human biology but imo will benefit birds in similar ways. Apart from the goodness gained from the plants themselves feeding these is a great way to keep your birds occupied, Hopefully this will help some of the folks new to collecting wildfood, cheers coltsfoot - early spring - seeding heads - general tonic alder - Jan - April - catkins and seed cones - protein and oils dandelion - spring - whole plant, birds go mad for seed heads - high vit A, C, B6, iron, magnesium, one of the best conditioners/ tonics chickweed - spring - autumn, can grow all year round however - whole plant - similar properties to dandelion meadowsweet - summer - seeds although worth trying flowers ??? essential oils milkthistle - summer/ autumn - seedheads - anti inflammatory, antioxidant ( hangover cure ) sowthistle - summer - whole plant - properties similar to dandelions groundsel - early spring - autumn although can grow all year, whole plant/ particularly seeding heads - general conditioner mugwort - summer - seeds/ possibly leaves ??? - essential oils/ tonic ragwort - summer to as late as November - seeding heads - funny one this, toxic to most animals, greatly enjoyed by finches - properties unsure ??? dock - summer into winter - seeding heads - one of the best, thought to be a great conditioner for plumage, contains oils which are greatly beneficial, good oils though so birds don't become fat. burdock - late summer through winter - seeding heads - goldfinches are particularly adept getting at the seeds contained in the heads ( burrs ) - calcium, potassium, blood purifier ( powerful antioxidant ), anti inflammatory, fatty oils plantain - summer/ autumn - seeding heads although young leaves may be worth a try ???as they have similar properties to dandelion ash keys - spring - buds enjoyed by bullys - keys hang from tree in winter, unsure which birds feed on these but most likely bullys - properties ??? rowan - autumn ( winter has begun when the waxwings have ate the last of the rowan berries ) - for softbills mostly, possibly bullys - high vit C knapweed - summer - seedheads although worth trying flowers as they are high in nectar - general conditioner goatsbeard - summer - seedheads although flowers are high in nectar so maybe worth trying - general conditioner/ healing properties/ preventative shephards purse - summer - seedheads - properties unsure ??? healing properties evening primrose - summer - seeds although young leaves worth a try - essential oils/ acids fat-hen - summer - seeds - protein, vit A, calcium, phosphorus, potassium teasel - autumn winter - seedheads - highly nutritious, anti inflammatory weld - summer/ autumn - a bit obscure this one but probably seed heads and may be worth trying flowers ( high nectar content ) , good reference to be used for enhancing plumage colour ( yellows/ greens ) when fed to birds herb robert - all summer - unfamiliar with this one but reference to bullfinches will eat the buds flowers and stems, also other finches enjoy these ??? essential oils, boosts immune system, preventative blackberries - autumn - superfood, antioxidant, high vit c, omega 3, essential fats etc etc rosehips - late summer/ autumn - antioxidant, vit c, vit a, vit b, fatty acids pyracantha - late autumn/ winter - highly nutritious, birds known to get drunk eating berries cotoneaster - late autumn/ winter- highly nutritious white campion - summer/ early autumn - seeds - similar nutritional value to chickweed red ( pink ) campion - as above charlock ( wild mustard ) summer - seed pods - properties ??? hawksbeard - summer - a bit obscure this one - very similar to dandelion so may have similar benefits ??? elderberry - late autumn/ winter - berries but worth trying flowers - highly nutritious, high vit c, vit a, vit b, antioxidant persicaria - a bit obscure - most probably seedheads - properties ??? if anyone has any more please share Edited July 17, 2013 by KittleRox 12 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnasher16 30,069 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I,ll be amazed if Outlaw Pete cant add a few to that list............what that man dont know about wild birds ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Gnash; While I appreciate the compliment ..... Here we're talking about supplementing the diets of Native birds, bred and kept in captivity. And Bringing them Native plant produce. My field is supplying Native birds, living in the wild. Thus, I'm 'up' on 'Non Native' seeds to supplement the stuff they rely on in their natural state. I'm Really impressed with KittleRox's post there. Superb effort I would just ask clarification of where / when one should offer the leaf / flowering head / seeding head or what ever. And how about gathering / preserving these things? Can it be done, to any benefit? I give my horses supplementary feed year round. I feel it helps them through the winter nights of hay diet. Anything here serve a similar purpose? I really think that's a cracking post and, with a bit more considered input? I'd vote for a Sticky! Hats off to KittleRox! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,884 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 (edited) Groundsel,Dandilion and Chickweed the whole plant and flower. Colts foot and Dock,leaves and seeds. The berries self explaining. Everything else the seeding or seeded heads. Nice one Kittle and many thanks as it will help us all i'd say,does need pinning this list for sure . Edited June 24, 2013 by fireman 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giro 2,648 Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Do you ever keep back out of date food products and farm your own maggots ?? Bet it would stink but would be a treat for the flappers ?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittleRox 2,147 Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 (edited) OP - yes you're right mate, I thought myself a bit info of when and what parts to feed would make the post, also what the plant contains etc and how it may influence birds health not sure how it would affect horses though, but you can make your own mind up and maybe experiment Fireman- you're pretty much spot on mate Giro- hang some dead animals above the aviaries I have a bit time on my hands because I, m stuck in the house fxcked with the cauld so I,ll do a bit editing today and add more as I go thanks Edited June 25, 2013 by KittleRox 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,884 Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 I have a wire covered bucket with rotten fruit in it for the fruit fly's and i pile all my old wild food up in a corner of my flights and once in a while i'll give it all a good shaking and let the birds dine on the insect's that are always living in it,my own birds do also have live mealworms every day and i do buy maggots from the fishing tackle shop for them also but they like the mealworms better.There's also fruit and other veg like pea's,sweetcorn and brocalli they will all eat as well,I keep my fruit fly bucket covered with wire just to keep the birds directly off the rotten fruit and they soon suss that when they land on the wire the fly's soon appear. One thing i will say about horses is that they will self medicate on a verge side and i'd also say that animals do have a good general knowledge of whats good for them and when. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taz2010 1,297 Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 birds love it fireman :laugh: 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittleRox 2,147 Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 edited with lots more info, It would've been easier writing a book hope it helps, good luck with the rest of the season, cheers 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 :icon_eek: Faaark Me!!! Goose bumps, just looking at that!!! :notworthy: :notworthy: That Post Has To Be Pinned! It's probably the most f**king useful and informed post I've ever read about this game! How the hell do you learn so much, KR? The f**king research that must've gone into that ..... I say your title should be changed to " Extreme Avicultural Herbalist ! I'm off to petition Ian B to Pin that one! What say you, lads? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittleRox 2,147 Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 thanks very much Pete must admit its took me a while today but I have been researching wildfoods for a few weeks now, although I've kept birds most of my life I never got into the wildfood side untill recently, very interesting some of it to, I might start eating some of the stuff myself self medicating in the hedgerows cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,884 Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 Get yourself a old medical herb book and your'll find most of them in there Kittle mate and for simular reasons as you've put up for the birds. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittleRox 2,147 Posted June 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 definately going to get a book on the herbal medicine mate, I'm finding some of it fascinating, stuff people used before modern medicine was available, I was thinking the day how when I was a bairn I would to be rummaging about the hedgerows, raiding nests, ferreting etc and here I am 30 + years later and I'm still to be found in the bushes cheers mate 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Ragwort - summer to as late as November - seeding heads - funny one this, toxic to most animals, greatly enjoyed by finches - properties unsure ??? Funny stuff. I spent some quality time ~ and effort ~ heaving it out of the ground my horses are living on just now. I just can't find it in myself to see it there. True; It's the home of the Cinnabar moth. That's their (equally lethal) caterpillars there. Black and yellow things. Live Stock would have to be absolutely crazed with starvation to eat Ragwort. It must taste like battery acid on the tongue of mammals. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittleRox 2,147 Posted July 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Ragwort - summer to as late as November - seeding heads - funny one this, toxic to most animals, greatly enjoyed by finches - properties unsure ??? Funny stuff. I spent some quality time ~ and effort ~ heaving it out of the ground my horses are living on just now. I just can't find it in myself to see it there. True; It's the home of the Cinnabar moth. That's their (equally lethal) caterpillars there. Black and yellow things. Live Stock would have to be absolutely crazed with starvation to eat Ragwort. It must taste like battery acid on the tongue of mammals. Certainly a dodgy plant Pete, I would think if you were making hay you wouldn't want that stuff in the mix, the seeding heads seems a favourite of the birds though particularly goldfinches, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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