Lemon Grass

[Annageckos]

I have lemon grass growing in my garden (I grow a lot of things for my animals so I never use any chemicals). I gave a little bit to my GCC and she loves to chew it to shreds. And it makes her smell like lemons. I did some reading before giving it to her and it is safe for birds. Anyone here ever try giving some to their birds?

 

[BoomBoom]

I haven't but it sounds tempting! I might try it after I read up some more.

I wonder if its as acidic as the actual lemon though? In my past research and reinforced by members of this forum, highly acidic foods are not recommended other than rare occassions. Lemon would be on the top of the list.

But then, it's the grass so I don't know. Maybe there are other chewable greens. Kale and brocolli come to mind. They smell far from lovely though!

 

[DebsFlock]

Lemongrass is a seasonoing used in Thai cooking that is actually unrelated to lemons. It has a faintly lemony taste, but I don't think it is particularly acidic. It's woody more than grassy, so an alternate would be something more like a cinnamon stick or bamboo.

I have some, more than I can use, so I'm interested in links to info about its safety. When you use it in human food, you usually take it out before consuming, so it's not something I'd offer without doing enough research to be comfortable. Do have some links Anna?

 

[Annageckos]

I will have to find the sites because I didn't save them. My guinea pigs and rats do eat lemon grass, and it is edible, but most people don't eat it because it is woody. Ziva didn't actually eat it though, she just shredded it up. She also likes the seed heads of fox tail grass, and she shreds the blades of the grass too. I use to give this to my parakeets years ago. I let the grass grow for my guinea pigs too. Pigweed is another common 'weed' that my guinea pigs love, and I know the seeds are edible. Broad leaf plantain seeds are also edible. I don't use any chemicals at all on the yard so I don't have to worry about that. Also, any time I try a new food for any of my animals I only give them a tiny amount, after making sure it is safe for them of course.

Oh, when you buy lemon grass in the store they only sell the base of the plant, which is fairly woody. I grow it in my garden, it is about 4-5 feet tall right now, and is a grass. I will try to get a photo to show you what it looks like.

 

[DebsFlock]

I'll google it. I'd definitely be interested in the photos, but I suspect it doesn't grow too well in the desert so I'm probably stuck with the culinary stuff. At least it isn't dried, but it is quite woody and fibrous.

 

[Echo]

I'll be interested to know as well. I have something in my yard that does smell lemony and now I wonder if that is lemongrass??? I thought that was lemon tea LOL.....I am so clueless in the garden!!! Better google pics and check that out, I would love to give it to the birds for something new to chew on! I have not because I really don't know or can't identify things

 

[Echo]

Ok, so I guess I have a Lemon Balm Tea Plant. It is on the list of safe plants for birds, however, I will see if anyone here can positively identify and tell me for sure if it is safe for them? Although safe doesn't mean they would enjoy eating it! Anyone has experience with it?

 

[Annageckos]

Hey Echo, that looks like some type of mint to me. If it has a lemon smell it is likely lemon balm, which is a type of mint. I have a lot of mints. Orange, pineapple, chocolate, ginger, apple and spearmint. I did try giving some to Ziva when she first got here but she didn't like it. I'll have to try it again. We use the mints in tea, which Ziva does like. For her I just seep the mint leaves in hot water for a couple of minutes, then let cool. She loves it.

 

[DebsFlock]

I tend to be cautious about herbs. They have very concentrated aromatic oils, which is why they are so useful in cooking. We only eat them in small quantities and it would seem to me to be prudent to offer them to birds only in proportionally tiny amounts unless fairly extensive research has been done.

 

[Annageckos]

Here are a couple photos. The plant stands about four feet tall, but the leaves are probably six to eight feet long in total length. Oh, and my cats decided they like it too. It makes a great toy for them.

 

[DebsFlock]

It's much grassier than I imagined having only seen it at the market or in my food!

 

[Annageckos]

I tend to be cautious about herbs. They have very concentrated aromatic oils, which is why they are so useful in cooking. We only eat them in small quantities and it would seem to me to be prudent to offer them to birds only in proportionally tiny amounts unless fairly extensive research has been done.

Of course you need to know what you are feeding and not assume it is safe for the birds just because it is for people. Most of what I grow I grow for the animals. And i only give it to them after researching. Other then mint and basil (for my guinea pigs) I don't really grow herbs. I actually got the lemon grass to make a spray for my dogs because it repels bugs.