Black Sunflower Seeds and Barley

Honeyb

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19 December 2005
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Redditch Worcs
www.redditchriders.co.uk
This diet has been mentioned on a thread in breeding and thought I'd give it a go.

Can anyone tell me if I have to soak the black sunflower seeds first at all. Also, once I've introduced the barley in small amounts how much should I feed a 16.2hh aged TB. Thanks
 
It was probably mentioned by me?

No they don't need soaking, but they do need to be whole black seeds and not stripey ones.

They are high in oil, I feed them in place of oil for two reasons, cost and my mare won't eat oil.

They shouldn't send them hyper but do introduce them slowly. I feed up to a cup and a half a day in the middle of winter.
 
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No they don't need soaking, but they do need to be whole black seeds and not stripey ones.


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I feed the stripey ones because I can't get the black ones here. I've not had any problems and PF loves them. Her coat is looking great too.
 
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No they don't need soaking, but they do need to be whole black seeds and not stripey ones.


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I feed the stripey ones because I can't get the black ones here. I've not had any problems and PF loves them. Her coat is looking great too.

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Oh thats interesting. I was just always told the black ones are more easily digested, don't know how true it is but I can get both so just stuck with the black ones.
 
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Oh thats interesting. I was just always told the black ones are more easily digested, don't know how true it is but I can get both so just stuck with the black ones.

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I think the black ones do have softer shells, but PF is fine with the stripey ones, so all is well
smile.gif
 
Great thank you. I added a very small amount of barley and black sunflower seeds to their breakfast of Stud and Conditioning mix, sugar beet and chaff.

I hope that at some stage i can cut out the S&C mix and just carry on with the SB, chaff, barley and sunflower seeds. Anyone think I may need something else in their. Was thinking of a balancer such as Blue Chip.
 
Just a thought but if it is the shells you are worrying about them digesting would you be better feeding sunflower hearts? White ones - where the shell has already been removed leaving only the 'heart' of the seed??
Slightly more expensive.
 
Interesting that it was mentioned with barley - which thread was it, I missed it. I feed BSS and all of mine look awesome. I don't soak them, though I did to begin with.
 
i feed black sunfower seeds unsoaked in both of mines feed as i dont feed oil...sends rowan nutty but he is better with the bss......rowans sweet itch seems to be better for it!
 
My boys get a small mug twice a day - feet are so much better for having them.

I don't soak, but after 10 mins of the feed being wetted, I noticed they often burst out of their shells anyway.

Also great for darkening coats on blacks and greys.
 
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