Bee Pollen for birds?

[KimberlyAnn]

This was free and it's human food grade which means I could use it if I don't give it to Emmi. Lol it's a HUGE free sample. Not bad!

Anyway, I know from a search, a lot of people give this to their parrots. I could see the benefits and with flower eating birds...makes some sense. I gave a very small amount to Emmi. She loved it and begged for more.

Anyone already give this to their birds?

[Dbeguy]

From an earlier topic

Does Anyone use Bee Pollen or this Bee Pollen mix called "Avian Trio"? What are your thoughts?

http://www.naturechest.com/avian-trio.html#.UqDzkmRDuJA is a random link to it.

I used to be a beekeeper, KC Cameron, As a product there's a lot in the beekeeping literature. One of the best aspects of Bee Pollen is that its protein without fat. I don't know whether this combo would reduce hormonal issues. It probably would be unpalatable on its own, but mixed into chop or birdy bread...

Make sure that there's a guaranteed amount of protein per serving. Pollen's protein content varies with species.

P.S. I would skip this product KC Cameron. Besides the fact that there's not protein content listed one of the products is Royal Jelly powder. Since this is only really a collection of Hormones used by the bees to raise queens from otherwise worker brood. I'm not very convinced it'll benefit your bird in any way. Propolis is a mixture of plant resins that bees collect to disinfect the interior of the hive. It's not that its bad either, but I believe its unnecessary.

Better if you just went to a supplement store and got Bee pollen

[KimberlyAnn]

This is straight Bee Pollen. No Royal Jelly or Propolis.

It says per .5 teaspoon...

Crude Protein 15%
Crude Fat 8%
Crude Fiber 4%
Moisture 20%

High protein so it does not look like an every day thing. I'm reading about how people give it when their birds are molting to promote feather growth?

[Pajarita]

I don't like granules, I use just plain pollen from wild flowers (I get it from here: http://weebeehoney.net/) but I only use the tiniest bit during breeding season.

[Dbeguy]

I don't like granules, I use just plain pollen from wild flowers (I get it from here: http://weebeehoney.net/) but I only use the tiniest bit during breeding season.

Do you find that the relatively low amount of fat in proprtion to protein helps stave off the worst of hormone season, Pajarita?

[GreenWing]

Interesting, I haven't heard of feeding bee pollen to birds... it might be a daft question but how do birds get bee pollen in nature? Can they get it by eating wild flowers alone?

[KimberlyAnn]

Interesting, I haven't heard of feeding bee pollen to birds... it might be a daft question but how do birds get bee pollen in nature? Can they get it by eating wild flowers alone?

I know Lorys eat pollen for sure. Emmi does go right for the center of fresh dandelions and gets pollen all over her face, but that's all I know. Lol

I'm going to take it because it helps with my allergies. Too bad it's not from my area or it would help me even more. There is more then enough for both of us! It is human food grade after all.

[KimberlyAnn]

I don't like granules, I use just plain pollen from wild flowers (I get it from here: http://weebeehoney.net/) but I only use the tiniest bit during breeding season.

I didn't see the plain pollen on that site, but I did see the candles! I miss candles so much!!

[Michael]

I've fed it to my birds before. They didn't mind it but it was second priority to them compared to pellets. I've seen no significant reason for or against. But since I could see no measurable benefit and they had no particular enthusiasm for it, I didn't buy it again.

[Scotty]

Just buy it at a Health Food store, it's the same thing, no need to buy so called pollen for birds, LOL...

I have some from the health store I've given to BeBe on occassion.

Hopefully it helps their immune system like adults...