Pearl Barley

[shivvy]

Is pearl barley safe for garden birds?

And if it is, does it need to be cooked first?

Thanks.

[Chipchopper]

I think you could put it out for the birds, but it's likely to only attract larger birds like pigeons and pheasants, which often scare off smaller birds.

I know they recommend that rice should be cooked to prevent it swelling up inside the birds but I would not think it necessary with pearl or pot barley, as the type of bird that would eat it, would be well equipped for dealing with that type of grain.

[RATTER15]

No problem, they eat it in the fields all the time. It is just ordinary barley that has had the husk cleaned off!

[shivvy]

Thanks for your answers.

I have pheasants, wood pigeon and doves coming to the garden so they should mop it up.

[shivvy]

I have also come across pudding rice and yellow split peas - can I put these out for the birds?

[Chipchopper]

Good morning shivvy,

Rice and yellow split peas are often added the cheaper wild bird food mixes, mostly it seems to bulk up the weight and volume.

There has been an urban myth thats been around for 20 years or more, about dry rice being harmful to birds, which seems to have originated from a weeding invitation and is now considered erroneous, having said that I,ve noticed that the RSPB do not recommend dry rice (The Birdfeeder Handbook 1990).

If you are concerned, perhaps try a small qauntity to see if the eaten, or maybe soak some over-night. Birbs eat grit to help them digest, so I can't see it harming them I M O.

[RATTER15]

http://www.petcraft.com/docs/safebird.shtml

[shivvy]

Thanks again for your answers.
The pearl barley is going down a treat! The blackbirds are liking it which I hadn't expected. No takers for the yellow split peas so they will hit the compost heap and who know what kind of wildlife might enjoy them.
I'll try a bit of the pudding rice out tomorrow.