Bird seed

[RogerTheTortoise]

This is probably I really strange question, but if I plant bird seed in Rogers tank, is it safe for him to eat?

We have a TON of it for our cockatiel, so if would be safe, then I wouldn't have to hassle with buying it online.

 

[Tom]

I have heard of that before and as far as I know, its safe. I know bird people that do that for two reasons.
#1. To check the freshness of their seeds. Lower germination rate usually means older seeds.
#2. They feed the sprouts to their birds for fun and variety.

I'm pretty sure if something as sensitive as a little bird can eat it, that its fine for our tortoises too.

 

[RogerTheTortoise]

That was my thought too! I think I'm going to try it.

 

[mary t]

I'm learning fast that my tort wont eat it if he shouldn't. I know this may not be normal for all but a few of the poisonous stuff I have and haven't had a chance to move yet is ignored. He is in a safe enclosure but I try to let him walk at least an hour a night under supervision. Hope that helps but I am still very very careful and paranoid...lol...

 

[Zamric]

some bird seeed is covered with bird vitamins and other "stuff". It is advised that you NOT feed Avian seed to small rodents (mice, gerbals, ect.) that also eat seeds. I can tell you from experiance that it will kill or is otherwise harmful small rodents!

Can you feed it to your torts? I dont think the germinated plants from these seeds are harmful to torts or rodents, but the seed in the bag/boxs should only be consumed by birds!

 

[RogerTheTortoise]

I don't have the original bag from the seed, but do you think the plant would be bad for them?
And Roger tries to eat everything at least once, multiple times if it's green.... Even if it's green marker on a piece of paper! Lol it's pretty cute : )

 

[SulcataSquirt]

Hi, I was looking a bird seed the otherday at lowes or homedepot. cant remember which one because i was at both, But after looking at what was in the bag It was nothing that i wanted to grow to feed my tort. The carolina grazing seed mix and many other seed mixes for torts have much better things that will grow for them. Not say to not try it, but With much better options I wouldnt, keep us updated on what you do/ take pictures if you plant it and get some good sprouts!

 

[Tom]

I can tell you first hand that sulcatas will eat things that they shouldn't, including toxic plants, at least some of the time.

And just for the sake of friendly argument, the idea that in the wild they won't eat toxic things and they some how now better...Remember that somewhere between 300 and 3000 die for every one that survives to maturity. I would bet that SOME of those 300-3000 might have died due to eating the wrong things that they happened to come across out in the world.