Niger Seeds

Listing ID #3432403

Commercial Nyjer is grown in Africa, India and other areas of southeast Asia. In some areas the oil and seed is eaten in different recipes, including curries, chutneys and gruel, and it has several medicinal uses as well. The most widely known use is for feeding birds, however, and the seed is imported around the world as a popular type of birdseed. Before it is imported, however, Nyjer seed is sterilized by intense heat to prevent germination of any additional seeds that may be part of the mix.

This is required by many countries to prevent the introduction of invasive weeds or other unwanted plants into the environment. Treated Nyjer may germinate but would typically be stunted, limiting its spread and offering less of a threat to native plants.

A type of oilseed, Nyjer is a popular birdseed because after sterilization it will not sprout if spilled and because it is an exceptional energy source for backyard birds.

The basic nutritional components of Nyjer are:

• 35 percent fat (25 percent minimum)
• 18 percent protein (16 percent minimum)
• 18 percent fiber (20 percent maximum)
• 12 percent sugar (18 percent maximum)
• 12 percent moisture (maximum)

Because of this composition, Nyjer is especially popular as a winter bird food, when birds require foods with more oil and a higher calorie content so they can store fat to survive colder temperatures. The high protein content in Nyjer is also useful for regenerating feathers when birds molt in the late fall and early spring.

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