Spray Millet for Birds: How to Use It and How Much to Feed

Few treats get small birds as excited as spray millet. Budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches and canaries love pulling the tiny seeds off the stalk. Used the right way, spray millet is a great tool for bonding, training and enrichment.

What is spray millet?

Spray millet is millet left on its natural stalk, so birds can pick the seeds off themselves just like they would in the wild. That makes it both a treat and an activity.

Our spray millet

California Golden Spray Millet

Grown in mineral-rich soil, handpicked, sun-dried and stored in a pesticide-free environment. Available in a 6-spray pack, a 5 lb box (about 60 to 70 sprays) and a 25 lb box for flocks and breeders.

French Millet Spray

A natural millet grown for pet birds and harvested at peak ripeness, in a convenient resealable bag.

Great ways to use spray millet

• Bonding: hold a sprig for your bird to eat from your hand. It's one of the best ways to build trust with a shy bird.
• Training: a quick nibble of millet makes a perfect reward for small birds. See best training treats for parrots.
• Enrichment: hang a spray in the cage so your bird can forage for seeds.
• Encouraging eating: because birds love it so much, millet can tempt a bird that isn't eating well. If your bird has stopped eating, though, contact your avian vet first, as that can be a sign of illness.

How much is too much?

Spray millet is a treat, not a complete diet. It's mostly carbohydrate and doesn't provide the full range of vitamins and minerals your bird needs. Offer a small piece rather than a whole spray, and keep it as a reward alongside a balanced daily food like Ultimate Blend III for small birds.

Storage tips

Keep spray millet in a cool, dry place in a sealed container or the resealable bag. Throw it out if it smells musty or shows signs of mold or bugs.

Related reading: Best food for budgies · Best food for cockatiels