Flax seeds belong to the oily seeds due
of their high content of fat (35%). Some budgies like to eat
flax seeds. If one serves them in small doses in addition to
the daily seed mixture, flax seeds are good for budgies. Please
note that oily seeds should never make more than 2% of
the daily diet of a small bird like a budgie! Also bear that in
mind if you offer your birds other oily seeds. All together,
flax seeds and other oily stuff should not be more than 5%
of the total amount. If one makes flax seeds sprout together with
other grains, budgies don't like them anymore. Soaked flax
seeds develop a sticky, slimy cover budgies really do not
appreciate.
You should always buy flax seeds in shops that offer naturally
grown grains (without pesticides). Due to their high content of
fat, oily seeds can be stored only for a short while, they become
rancid very quickly.
In Germany, one can buy flax seeds as they grow in nature. My budgies didn't like those panicles that are shown in the figure on the right. I gave the panicles to a friend who offered them to Canaries who appreciated this food.
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