What is the difference between black & grey sunflower seeds?

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:26 am

Are black sunflower seeds are more nutritious than the gray ones? The black ones are more expensive, almost double the price of the grey at our local stockfeed.

I only give them as a treat as I understand that they are high in oil content and can become addictive to a bird and result in health problems.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Nutritionally there is not much difference between the two. It is more the size and plumpness of the seeds that shows which is more nutritious.

Both are very high in oils- up to 55%. That is why birds like them so much- they are not addictive like a drug- it's just that high fat things are highly palatable.

The high fat content can cause major health problems if the birds are fed on them for long periods of time.
They can help to build up birds which are thin or during cold weather. Just don't overdo them & use them as treat at other times.

BigFishLittleFish · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 2:11 pm

do you shell them or get shelled ones or feed them whole ??? just wondering. might try my girls on some this winter. a different sort of treat.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

BigFishLittleFish wrote:

do you shell them or get shelled ones or feed them whole ??? just wondering. might try my girls on some this winter. a different sort of treat.

Just a handful of them whole, the shelled ones are expensive mostly for human consumption. The homebrand/savings brand are only $4 at the supermarket they have a combination of both black and grey sunflower seeds. The stockfeed cost twice the amount but you can get either black or grey separately there. Also the local farmer's market sells them at a reasonable price in between the supermarket and stockfeed.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

IME the homebrand ones have a very small kernel ie very little nutrition- that's why they are so cheap.
You are better off spending a little more and getting a better quality seed.

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:40 pm

Hi

Do not feed more than 6 sunflower seeds per chook a day and all will be well.

Ian

JordanP · **Joined:** Fri Jun 08, 2012 11:55 am **Posts:** 4

Are you serious Ian? why only 6? mine eat way more then 6 a day

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

I was told by the local produce people that Grey sunflower seed is lower in fat content (8%) than the black sunflower seed (12%).

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

That information is totally incorrect Chickadee.

If you do a google search on nutritional composition of sunflower seed & if you find any that show less than 35% fat I would be surprised. Usually up to 55% fat. That's why Ian suggested small amounts.

If the produce people insist that this information is correct then I would seriously question their knowledge on other things they advise on!

Chicka-Dee · **Joined:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:12 am **Posts:** 1194

parvo wrote:

That information is totally incorrect Chickadee.

If you do a google search on nutritional composition of sunflower seed & if you find any that show less than 35% fat I would be surprised. Usually up to 55% fat. That's why Ian suggested small amounts.

If the produce people insist that this information is correct then I would seriously question their knowledge on other things they advise on!

Really 35%, that's huge! Humf and she was suppose to be the expert! Won't be asking her for any advice.

No wonderr my grandmothers Sulphur Crested Cockatoo pulled all his feathers out! The vet advised her that it was due to the high fat intake of the sunflower seeds that he did that, but he didn't say how much fat was in them.

35%, WOW that is massive.

Thanks Parvo. That was interesting to know. And you know, I didn't even think to google it!

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

What is the difference between black & grey sunflower seeds?

Who is on the Forum