Black Oil Sunflower Seeds - Where do you get them?

[Mike592]

I'm having a hard time finding BOSS to give us a treat. There is a specialty fancy bird store (think parrots) nearby and they have some but it's pricey. Where are you going? Are there different types? I see some that says "not for human consumption". What do I need for my layers?

BTW, I feed non-GMO feed, is GMO prevalent with BOSS?

 

[Alaskan]

I get mine at my local bulk food store that also carries horse feed, chicken feed, etc.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Feed store, farm supply, hardware store or even Walmart carry 40 lbs bags.

There are many sunflowers that have higher oil content so labeled black oil. No idea why it'd be labeled "not for human consumption", I'd stay clear assuming pesticides.

 

[marktoo]

There are only 8 GMO crops to date; corn, sugar beets, alfalfa, cotton, canola, papaya, soy & summer squash. The problem is that these are in almost all packaged foods in one form or another, which is why labeling is so important. Can't stay away from it, if we don't know it's in there.

I would assume that if BOSS is labeled as unfit for human consumption, it is due to pesticides. Don't know why we should be feeding it to the birds then either, wild or otherwise but go figure.

 

[Mike592]

Good info Mark. Thanks.

Anyone know of BOSS that isn't packaged "not for human consumption"? Any more detail about what that means?

 

[Sandyd]

That usually means it is packaged for birds and animals not for humans. Human consumption is a lot stricter on packaging and has to meet certain criteria. Human consumption is higher priced.

I find it strange if sunflowers were sprayed with insecticide. Around here they grow wild.