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Post by mogal on Feb 22, 2022 16:39:55 GMT
I've seen a lot of videos lately where folks are feeding black oil sunflower seed (hereafter called BOSS) to their chickens and other livestock, one feeding commercial suet cakes containing BOSS. I did it for years but a couple of years ago, a comment in Peter Burke's book on growing salad greens in winter stopped me cold. He said that the fumigants in BOSS for bird feeding, what I'd been buying, wasn't safe for human consumption. I'd even asked one of the feed store clerks about it and he said he also fed BOSS to his chickens. Anyway, Mr. Burke said to only use organic BOSS or BOSS sold for human consumption.
I've seen a lot of products containing BOSS that say for feeding to wild birds only, both seed for feeders and the suet cakes. Bought some from Menard's once and the smell was so strong I returned it, not realizing. Several years later, I received a check for $60 as my part of a class action suit against the seed producer. Didn't even know I was involved but I didn't send the check back (grin). Anyway, thought I'd put that out there again.
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Post by Maura on Feb 23, 2022 4:03:34 GMT
Livestock feed does not have to meet the same standards as for human consumption. If the seed was labelled "for wild birds only" it may only mean that the seeds have not been investigated for human consumption. But, I am with you, if it is acceptable for human consumption it is good enough for my chickens. The best thing may be to grow it yourself.
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Post by grannyg on Feb 28, 2022 4:53:48 GMT
Our sunflower seeds drop down from the bird feeders and then sprout...our chickens love the sprouts....
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Post by countrymom22 on Mar 1, 2022 17:53:25 GMT
I've been buying a flock block for my flock to peck at to give them something to do. I haven't noticed any funny smell, but I'll check the label the next time I'm in Tractor Supply.
Thanks for the info.
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