Whats the difference between BOSS and stripped sunflower seeds?

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Hello, CT here. quick question about sunflower seeds. i know Black oil sunflower seeds benifits. What about the grey with the black strip variety?
Also, while on topic, is there a premium brand of BOSS I consider, or can i five the chixkens the boss from the wild bird section at store? Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[Ridgerunner]

BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) have a larger oil content than the striped sunflower seeds. That's why birds generally prefer them. I don't know how much difference there is in the oil content. Both contain good nutrients. The hulls on the black seeds are thinner than the hulls on the striped.

If you look at the nutritional difference in the BOSS in the wild bird section and any specialty BOSS I doubt you'll find any significant difference. You might find some that are already hulled but I think those are most likely the striped variety, more for humans to munch on.

 

[Perris]

you might find this useful
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/40
though it does not specify the differences between varieties beyond oil types (which includes BOSS) and non-oil types (which includes striped); the specific differences in nutritive values are indicated by the minima and maxima.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

you might find this useful
https://www.feedipedia.org/node/40
though it does not specify the differences between varieties beyond oil types (which includes BOSS) and non-oil types (which includes striped); the specific differences in nutritive values are indicated by the minima and maxima.

thanks Perris

 

[U_Stormcrow]

A good striped seed, such as you might find for human consumption, has protein close to 16%, thick shell (more non-digestible fiber), and high fat content (energy).

A typical boss seed has thinner shell (less non digestible fiber), protein averages approaching 14%, and even more fat (more energy). The highest oil boss can reach 48% fat.

Obviously, if you shell them and discard the shells, the relative protein and fat levels increase, the fiber drops significantly, and the cost goes thru the proverbial roof.

Hope that helps!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

A good striped seed, such as you might find for human consumption, has protein close to 16%, thick shell (more non-digestible fiber), and high fat content (energy).

A typical boss seed has thinner shell (less non digestible fiber), protein averages approaching 14%, and even more fat (more energy). The highest oil boss can reach 48% fat.

Obviously, if you shell them and discard the shells, the relative protein and fat levels increase, the fiber drops significantly, and the cost goes thru the proverbial roof.

Hope that helps!

U_Storm, Thank you for your input. Its always appreciated

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

A good striped seed, such as you might find for human consumption, has protein close to 16%, thick shell (more non-digestible fiber), and high fat content (energy).

A typical boss seed has thinner shell (less non digestible fiber), protein averages approaching 14%, and even more fat (more energy). The highest oil boss can reach 48% fat.

Obviously, if you shell them and discard the shells, the relative protein and fat levels increase, the fiber drops significantly, and the cost goes thru the proverbial roof.

Hope that helps!

Are all BOSS seeds created equal? and if not, do you have a preferred brand or recommendation? I usually get the Wagner brand in the wild bird feed section. I only have 7 hens.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I don't have a preference, I don't use them personally, and even if I could identify a particular variety of oil sunflower with the best average fat content, or the highest average protein:

I couldn't guarantee that was the variety in any given bag of seed

I couldn't guarantee that it wasn't a below average example (as half, definitionally, are) for any of a handful of different reasons related to soil, season, recent rainfall, etc

I couldn't guarantee it was stored properly.

and of course, they don't put guaranteed nutrition tags on the label.

This is a case where you accept that "playing the averages" and observing results is the best you can do. Its not like buying peas, or buying wheat, where there can be significant differences between varieties that matter, and where you *might* actually have a choice in the matter.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I don't have a preference, I don't use them personally, and even if I could identify a particular variety of oil sunflower with the best average fat content, or the highest average protein:

I couldn't guarantee that was the variety in any given bag of seed

I couldn't guarantee that it wasn't a below average example (as half, definitionally, are) for any of a handful of different reasons related to soil, season, recent rainfall, etc

I couldn't guarantee it was stored properly.

and of course, they don't put guaranteed nutrition tags on the label.

This is a case where you accept that "playing the averages" and observing results is the best you can do. Its not like buying peas, or buying wheat, where there can be significant differences between varieties that matter, and where you *might* actually have a choice in the matter.

yea, I’ll just have to grow more sunflowers…. Do you think the shells are necessary? i can get shelled sunflower seeds from a reliable source. (more reliable than random wild bird BOSS. Thanks

 

[U_Stormcrow]

no, shells are NOT necessary.