The general consensus is that birds are granivores meaning that they eat seeds and grains. Many of us know birds to eat various grains and seeds including flower seeds such as wildflowers, sunflowers and coneflowers. Grass and weed seeds such as dandelions, various mixes of birdseed such as milo seed, nyjer and proso millet, but what about hemp seeds? Can birds eat hemp seeds?

Birds can in fact eat hemp seeds. These seeds are a very healthy and nutritious food for humans and for birds as well. This seed contains a variety of beneficial components including amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids which will all be beneficial to your bird.

Can birds eat hemp seeds?

If you own a pet bird, you might have wondered if it’s safe to feed these creatures’ hemp seeds. In fact, many very good seed mixes include sterilized hemp seeds in the mix.

According to animal nutrition experts, hemp seed is one of the healthiest foods for birds. It contains lots of omega 3/6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and 20 amino acids. So, you’ll be doing your pet bird or backyard birds a whole lot of good by feeding them this oil-rich seed.

What seeds are bad for birds?

Seeds are some of the best foods to give birds. But then, not every seed is healthy for these creatures. And you might ask, what seeds are bad for birds?

Red millet: While most birds shun these seeds, others will eat them. It is always advised not to give birds red millet because it offers little or no nutritional value to the animals.

Spoiled seeds: Seeds that are mouldy and clumped should not be fed to birds as they can be highly toxic to the creatures.

Apple seeds: The seeds of apples contain cyanide – a very toxic chemical for birds. If you must feed your pet bird this fruit, you shouldn’t forget to remove all the seeds it contains before offering it to the bird.

Do birds like hemp hearts?

Birds love hemp hearts. If you are looking for a way to attract a variety of bird species to your backyard, place these items in your bird feeder. You’ll be surprised at the large number of small birds that come around to feast. You can feed birds hemp hearts on their own or mixed with other grains. 

Which is better chia or hemp seeds for birds?

Hemp and chia seeds are both excellent sources of vitamins and minerals for birds. However, they do not contain the same amount of calories, fat, and protein.

While hemp contains 174 calories, 14g of fat, and 11g of protein, chia has just 137 calories, 9g of fat, and 4g of protein. Thus, hemp seed is more nutritious than chia

Why do birds throw seed out of the feeder?

Some birds are very picky. When you give them seeds they don’t like; there’s a high possibility that they will throw it out of the feeder. But they don’t do it on purpose. Seeds are usually pushed out of a feeder when birds are looking for the good stuff.

To prevent birds from throwing seeds out of a feeding station, you should stop giving them the unpreferred seed type. If you know the species of birds that come to your yard, find out what food they like and only feed them that.

What should you not feed wild birds?

Some foods are harmful to birds and should not be put in a feeder. If you are a backyard birder, you should avoid giving wild birds the following foods:

• Bread
• Cookies
• Cheese
• Salted items
• Chocolate
• Apple seeds and fruit pits
• Avocado
• Garlic and onions

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes birds can eat hemp seeds. These seeds contain a plethora of nutrients that will be very beneficial to your bird and will aid it in living a healthy and happy life.

Seeds that you should avoid feeding your birds, which are bad for birds include spoilt seeds, red millet and apple seeds. You can feed them hemp hearts and chia seeds which they love.

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can birds move their babies? Do birds have friends? How do birds show affection to humans? How to know if a bird egg is alive? What do birds do with unhatched eggs? Do penguins bury their dead?