One more digging box question

[jackieann82]

Ok I have read that when creating digging boxes for your ratties people put bird seed in there to spout some grass. I maybe a little clueless here but what kind of bird seed? Is it the kind you'd put in a bird feeder for wild birds? I read one person uses parrot mix? Now you're not talking about pellets right? I am heading out to home depot tonight and was going to look into making a box for the girlies and wanted to clarify. Thanks.

[twistedlittle-puppy]

i don't know about growing from bird seeds, but i buy large seeds and bury them in the dirt for the ratties to find.  the typical seed used is wheat grass. you can order wheat grass seeds online, buy a cat grass kit from a pet store or supermarket (though these don't last long), or buy pet grass from a pet store regularly. you may be able to find the seeds from home depot or loews, since they do have cat nip.

[PinkPaws]

buying "pet grass" at a pet store will cost you double - $3.99 ...if you go to your regular grocery store, they sell it for aprox. $1.99 in the organic section. Some people make juice or something out of it. ( ick ) I feed it to my guinea pigs.

[BranwenR]

You can buy wheat kernels at organic/health food stores.  I got several years worth (those darn bulk food levers are too loose I tell ya LOL ) at Whole Foods a few weeks ago.  You will need to soak the kernels overnight, then spread them on your soil and mist them heavily.  Keep it in a dark place, making sure it remains very wet for three days and then put it in a spot that gets light.  Voila!  Acres of wheat grass that your ratties will go crazy for!

You can also cook the wheat kernels like you would rice.

[Suebee]

I didn't even see this thread... I just posted a link to my new wheatgrass growing tutorial in Rat Tails... keep in mind, though, my directions are not intended for a digging box, though you could modify it a little for that purpose.

http://www.ratsrule.com/wheatgrass.html

[Keltikka]

I got pet grass seeds from Petsmart in the cat section ~ a huge packet for about $2.00. I made a big tub of it for my ratties and a smaller one for my degus. There's still a lot of seeds left for several more batches.

The problem I had was finding the dirt. I didn't want to get any from outside because of bugs, parasites, peticides.... and trying to find dirt in the gardening section of a store without a ton of chemicals in itwas incrediably hard. I finally found some at Lowe's.

What has anyone here used for the dirt?