Sunflower seeds - shell or no shell?

[Going Bhonkers]

First off, are all sunflower seeds "Black oil sunflower seeds" ?

And can I have some clarification as to whether or not geese can eat them whole (with shells/ hulls on)? With the shells on, they look rather large, and I wonder if they might choke on them

.
Its just that, well, I've seen parrots take the seed shells off, so it makes me maybe I should remove hulls for my geese. (Hahaha, I know its wrong to compare parrots to geese, but I mean, they both have feathers and wings, so... maybe?

)

I laugh, but I still feel kind of bashful for asking

 

[Tivona]

Not all sunflower seeds are the Black oil type. There is also grey stripe (the type you would buy for yourself in a grocery store to munch on) and others. These types that are not black oil will frequently have thick tough shells and can have less oil or a different type of oil. The BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) have a thin shell that the birds can seem to digest and get the full benefit of the seed inside. The BOSS type is also a high oil type of sunflower so its higher in calories and heat value to the birds. At least that is what I understand. Anyway it is fine to feed BOSS type to the geese with the shell on as long as they have access to grit. I wouldn't bother with other types of sunflower seeds for the birds. Not enough benefit from the others compared with the BOSS.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

True BOSS here runs about $40/ for 50lb bag right now.

feed it shell and all to your juveniles and adults

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Thanks guys!!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Do you think I can grow sunflowers from BOSS seeds, or have they been processed too much for that?

 

[1muttsfan]

The seeds sold for bird food have been treated with a growth inhibitor to prevent sprouting.

Make sure your birds have access to grit to allow them to process the shells.

 

[kimberly35042]

Do you think I can grow sunflowers from BOSS seeds, or have they been processed too much for that?

hmmm.... mine may have been treated, but they certainly grew sunflowers-- tons of them.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Quote:

I guess it can't hurt to try then!!

 

[WilmaP]

Not all sunflower seeds are the Black oil type. There is also grey stripe (the type you would buy for yourself in a grocery store to munch on) and others. These types that are not black oil will frequently have thick tough shells and can have less oil or a different type of oil. The BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) have a thin shell that the birds can seem to digest and get the full benefit of the seed inside. The BOSS type is also a high oil type of sunflower so its higher in calories and heat value to the birds. At least that is what I understand. Anyway it is fine to feed BOSS type to the geese with the shell on as long as they have access to grit. I wouldn't bother with other types of sunflower seeds for the birds. Not enough benefit from the others compared with the BOSS.

Is grit different than just sandy dirt? How should I give my goose grit - in food, on the ground, in a separate bowl?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I put grit in a bowl close to the feed bowl they use it as needed. But if they are out on pasture or not penned up they are probably finding their own.