I have been doing a lot of research into feeding regimes, and how to supplement protein into the diet of the modern exhibition budgerigar. I've spoken to some prominent fanciers, and I haven't found anyone who disagrees that the shape, feather and size of the modern bird demands a higher level of protein than ever before.

 

I know that there is a lot of hype about wheatgrass in humans. I read through Wikipedia online, and it states that Schnabel, an agricultural chemist, conducted his first experiments with young grasses in 1930, when he used fresh cut grass in an attempt to nurse dying hens back to health. The hens not only recovered, but they produced eggs at a higher rate than healthy hens. Encouraged by his results, he began drying and powdering grass for his family and neighbors to supplement their diets. The following year, Schnabel reproduced his experiment and achieved the same results. Hens consuming rations supplemented with grass doubled their egg production.

 

It also states that one of the most popular claims about wheatgrass, and one that is frequently made by both supporters and retailers, is that 1 ounce of wheatgrass juice is as nutritionally valuable as 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of green vegetables, a ratio of 1:33.

 

Wikipedia states that a comparison of currently available vitamin and mineral data on dried wheatgrass and fresh vegetables support Schnabel's claim – that the vitamin and mineral content of dried grass is equivalent to roughly 20 times that of fresh vegetables. The information is below;

 

Nutrient

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice)

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder)

Broccoli 350 lbs

 

Protein

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 192 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 3,840 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 4,501 gm

 

Beta carotene

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 28,800 IU

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 576,000 IU

Broccoli 350 lbs 994,308 IU

 

Vitamin E

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 211 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 4,224 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 1,400 gm

 

Vitamin C

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 240 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 4,800 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 142,450 gm

 

Vitamin B12

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 192 mcg

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 3,840 mcg

Broccoli 350 lbs 0 mcg

 

Phosphorus

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 5040 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 100,800 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 105,350 gm

 

Magnesium

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 1,920 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 38,400 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 33,600 gm

 

Calcium

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 1,728 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 34,560 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 74,900 gm

 

Iron

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 158 gm

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 3,168 gm

Broccoli 350 lbs 1,050 gm

 

Potassium

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Juice) 10,080 mg

Wheatgrass 15 lbs (Powder) 201,600 mg

Broccoli 350 lbs 504,350 mg

 

 

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I intend to add it to the softfood mix I give my budgies every day.

 

Interestingly it was Gary Armstrong who raised the benefits of wheatgrass to me a couple of months ago. However, it wasn't until I read this post with all the facts that I was spurred into action.

Edited September 17, 200816 yr by renee

Where do you get wheat grass from?

 

Before we all jump on the wheatgrass bandwage, you should read this article

 

Choice magazine article on wheat grass

Edited September 17, 200816 yr by Dave_McMinn

Renee I did a post on it few weeks back ...I will be doing this ( by growing my own) and offering small amounts to my birds other wise overdose on the wheat grasscould lead to problems ....I will be using it for it's fertility other then the other stuff that people say it is good for,There is sooo much out there that is beneficial to us humans that birds can benefit from too ..I am looking to to the natural side of things and well I will do a few post later this week to share with you all........http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/wheatgrass.htm .okay ^ here is the link that i saved, it tells you how to grow it too!!!

Edited September 17, 200816 yr by Neat