Which Weeds Are Dangerous?

[Guest Caren]

I see galahs and other parrots eating grasses in the park next door. I'm wondering if I can bring some weeds for my birds to have a chew on (after I wash them) and what weeds/plants shouldn't be given to them?

[Guest eterri]

Here is a list of unsafe plants: http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/plntstox.htm

 

Be careful that you wash them thoroughly and get them from an area that you're positive isn't sprayed with pesticides or any other chemical. I'd be very hesitant to use plants from an area where wild birds and other animals have walked or defecated though. Just use lots of caution!

[Guest Lin]

Caren it's best to cultivate your own weeds You can throw the old birdseed, when you clean out their food, onto a bare patch of ground, and the seed left in there will sprout. They will love it. You will know it hasn't been sprayed, or had dogs do their business on it, though you should rinse it just in case.

[Featheredpets 0]

Also watch out for avian flu.

[Daz 0]

Here's another site to add to the list.

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html

[Guest Caren]

I try to cultivate my own, but lately the birds have been eating more then I can grow. After the floods down here at the beginning of 2004, my backyard's just clay, no soil whatsoever, until I started cleaning the budgies and rat cages out there. The grass is only just there, but at least 1/2 my tiny yard still has just moss.

I don't pick grasses in the park, the ride-on mower must add yukky stuff. Mum doesn't have a mower, so her weeds are pretty safe (at least they were, Dad whipper-snippered everything, so now there isn't enough weed to pull!)

[Guest Julie]

You could plant some in a big pot?

[Guest Caren]

I think I'll stick to doing mum's gardening. She doesn't mind me stealing her weeds!