Boss

[Sharylva]

I understand what BOSS is and have purchased some for my chickens. What I am unclear about, is this a variety of sunflower that I could grow or is this a process that the sunflower seeds are put through?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You can sprout seeds right from the feed bag. It's a type of sunflower.

 

[Sharylva]

Thanks, I put some on a tray to sprout.

 

[woodmort]

Be aware that sunflowers don't transplant well. If you want to grow them you should seed them where you want them to grow.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
X2

 

[Pinky]

Quote:
X2

x3, I found out the hard way

 

[Sharylva]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks. Do you know what color the flower heads are?

 

[western edge]

What I understand is the seeds that are used for birds and other bagged BOSS at your feed store are most likely grown from a hybrid, and being the second generation, the seeds from them wont grow true to the parent plants resulting in poor growth and production. Would be your best bet to find some seeds from a nursery or a seed supply. A heirloom/open pollinated (non-hybrid) variety would allow you to save some of the seeds to plant each consecutive year.

 

[perchie.girl]

Black oil sunflower seed....

http://sproutpeople.org/seeds/sunflowergreens.html

Could be very good pre sprouted as greens for your chickens.

Wether or not they are hybrids you will have to closely guard the flowers while the seeds are ripening. The wild birds will beat you to them.

One thing I recently learned is those black oil sunflower seeds you get for the bird feeders have feed through insecticide in them and its not Diatomaceous Earth. I found out when I was feeding BOSS from Wallmart to my horse. BTW she loves them so much she will go back through her poo to get ones she didnt chew enough....

The BOSS with insecticide played havoc with my horses digestion. I had to put her on a Probiotic regumine while I figured out what was wrong with her.

So read the fine print if its labled for bird feeders. Feed store stuff is just fine they dont keep feed on the shelf for months on end.

 

[marbekschicks]

Would this work, or no?

Peredovik (oil seed) SUNFLOWER
Commercial Russian cultivar used for making sunflower oil; also used for bird seed mixes. Stalks average 5-1/2' producing a large single head with few side branches. Seeds are pure black and elongated in shape. Seedheads can be cut when dry and suspended in trees or on fences to feed wild birds.

ETA: I have been searching all over online to buy seeds to plant and haven't found them. I have grown several varieites of sunflowers here in previous years, so I might as well plant what my chickens can have.