APPENDIX G
GRAINS TO FEED YOUR BIRD

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Amaranth  (berries –also called seeds- only)

Barley        (unhulled and hulled only)

Buckwheat  (groats or kasha)

Corn           (all varieties, including purple and pozole)

Kamut        (berries only)

Oat             (all methods, including meal and rolled but use only groats for                   gloop)

Quinoa       (all varieties –best grain, full of lysine for good feather                   production and omega 3)

Rice            (all varieties, as long as they are ‘brown’ and not glutinous or                   sticky -although I don’t recommend the black ones for gloop)

Spelt           (berries only)

Teff            (small but packs a good nutritional package)

Triticale      (berries only)

Rye             (only berries –not as nutritious as other grains)

Wheat        (all varieties and seasons but only berries or cracked)

Description of different grain forms:

whole grains = berries = groats  Notes:   These are grains that are either unprocessed or stripped only of their tough outer hulls.  They have the best nutritional ‘packages’.

pearled grains = pearl grains = polished grains  Notes:   These are more processed than whole grains.  This makes them less nutritious but they cook up faster and have a more tender texture.

grits = cracked grains = steel-cut grains  Notes:  These are grains that have been cut into smaller pieces so they cook faster.  

flakes = rolled grains  Notes:  These are grains that are steamed, rolled, and flaked. They are middle of the road in terms of nutrition. 

meal  Notes:  These are whole grains that are ground until they have the consistency of sand.   Stone-ground meal is ground between stones, giving it a grittier consistency. 

bran = polishings   Notes:   This is the made from the outer husk of the grain, and it's a rich source of fiber.  There are two types of fiber:  insoluble fiber, which passes right through the system undigested, and soluble fiber, which is digested by friendly bacteria in the  intestines.  Insoluble fiber is found in wheat bran and corn bran, and it's good for flushing out the intestines.  Soluble fiber, found in oat bran, gives a feeling of fullness with small quantities.    

germ  Notes:  This is the exceptionally nutritious embryo found within the grain kernel.  It contains oil, so it has a relatively short shelf life.  Wheat germ is also high in vitamin E which brings birds into breeding condition so it needs to be used judiciously.

flour  Notes:  Flours are made from grains or nuts that are finely ground to a powdery consistency.  They're used to make breads and other baked goods.  Wheat flour can be found in bleached and unbleached form.  When using it for birds, it needs to be do very sparingly and always use the unbleached form.