Linseed for birds, also known as flaxseed, is an oil-rich seed used in wild bird, aviary bird and parrot seed mixes. It provides omega-3 fatty acids, protein and dietary fibre, making it a useful addition to a varied feeding routine. Linseed can also be included in small amounts in diets for chickens and laying poultry.
Nutritional Profile
Linseed is a small brown flat seed that is rich in essential oils and is popular with both wild birds and aviary birds. Linseed is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are valuable and essential for birds during moulting to help maintain their feathers. Linseed is similar to rapeseed; it's high in protein, high in dietary fibre, rich in B vitamins and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, but also high in fat and energy too!
Wild Bird and Parrot Seed Mixes
Linseed is grown in the spring, harvested and screened, then added to various wild bird foods, aviary bird mixtures and parrot foods that are relished by finches and yellowhammers, but it is also a good tonic seed helping wild birds keep warm during the cold winter months.
Omega-3 in Your Bird's Diet
Feeding your caged birds or parrots linseed also prevents egg binding, but also helps balance saturated fats and omega-6 in your bird's diet by increasing your bird's daily intake of omega-3, which can cause a number of health problems if owners don't change their diets, including arthritic joints, heart disease, dry scaly skin, dull plumage and even depression, which is often caused by your birds eating too much millet, sunflower seeds and nuts that are high in omega-6 and saturated fats.
Health Benefits of Linseed for Birds.
- Natural anti-inflammatory.
- High in Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Rich in essential oils and B vitamins.
- Improves the quality of a bird's or parrot's plumage.
- Linseed is high in protein, dietary fibre, fat and energy.
- Used by breeders and horse owners to improve coat condition.
- Helps with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, dry or itchy skin.
- Suitable for wild birds, aviary birds, parrots, horses and chickens.
Linseed for Chickens and Laying Poultry
Linseed is also an excellent supplement for laying poultry to help produce healthy eggs that are rich in omega-3. It's also suggested to feed only in small amounts, i.e., under 7% of the diet, as feeding too much linseed can reduce egg production in poultry.
Further Information on Linseed.
Oil Content and Suitable Bird Species
Linseed has a very high oil content, approximately 40%, which also helps a bird's digestion process because of its mucus-secreting properties and can be fed to a wide variety of seed-eating birds, not just wild birds but aviary birds too, for instance: canaries, British Finches, Budgies, Parakeets, Lovebirds, Cockatiels and Conures, as well as most species of larger parrots, including Cockatoos and Macaws.
Uses for Horses, Dogs, Chickens and Rabbits
Linseed, also known as flaxseed, is also beneficial for horses, dogs, chickens, and rabbits, as it improves the quality and appearance of your chicken's feathers, dogs' and horses' coats, making them vibrant and glossy; for example, horse owners find they can groom their coats more easily, and it helps strengthen hooves, improves muscle tone, fitness, and performance.
Other Uses
Linseed is the richest natural source of omega 3 available, that's also anti-inflammatory so it's ideal for working dogs and horses, including pets with conditions such as arthritis and skin complaints like dermatitis, scurfy, and dry itchy skin. Many health food shops now also stock cold-pressed linseed oil as it's a beneficial supplement for people that improves hair, nails, and skin quality, helps regulate body weight, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Where is your linseed grown, and is it GMO?
A. Australia, and it's not GMO as of 4/1/22, but may change in the future.