Millet: Is it Nutritious for my Birds?

By
Alicia McWatters, PhD, CNC

Most birds love millet! But, is it nutritious for them? Read on to find the answer...

Millet (panicum miliaceum) is a member of the Grass family and is classified as a grain. The seeds are contained in a panicle and are used as a grain for human, animal, and bird consumption. Millet is considered by some health professionals to be the most nutritious cereal grain in the world!

Millet is a very nutritious grain that has a lot to contribute to a varied bird diet: protein, folate, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, vitamin K and the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iron and potassium. Millet is a staple food in Africa and parts of India and China, and contains more protein than corn or barley. Of all the cereal grains, millet has the best amino acid profile.

Millet is low in fat, very easily digested, and is an excellent carbohydrate source. It is a very good food for the stomach, spleen and pancreas. Millet is also one of the best grains for those with intestinal disorders and is the ideal grain for the management of blood sugar imbalances.

When I was a breeder of parrots, finches and canaries, I used to feed millet panicles or sprays to my weaning youngsters as a part of their diet. Young and older birds alike relish its nutty, mild flavor. I currently feed my small parrot flock hulled organic pearl millet in their afternoon seed/grain/nut mixture. Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) is grown in the north central United States and Canada. Pearl millet can be purchased at a natural foods market.

In the summertime, I grow a little patch of wild millet and my birds receive freshly harvested panicles at various stages of growth. Sprouted millet is a highly favored nutrient and enzyme-rich food. Harvest these sprouts just after the tiny little shoots have emerged. (Look for the article on sprouting on this web page.)

If you follow the recipe instructions below you will create some delicious millet-cranberry muffins for you and your flock to enjoy.

2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tbs. wheat germ
2 tbs. bran
1/2 tsp. baking powder (non-aluminum)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup millet
1 1/2 cup cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 12-cup muffin tin. Combine flour, wheat germ, bran, baking powder, and baking soda in a small bowl. Add liquid ingredients and stir until mixed. Blend millet and cranberries. Pour batter into prepared muffin tin and bake for 25 minutes.