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What is chia?
Chia is a magic seed with exceptional nutritional value for birds.
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a small oval light-brown seed (2 mm long), its condition enhancing characteristics were discovered centuries ago by the Aztecs and native Americans. Today scientific studies confirm that chia provides a lot of interesting nutrients. As a result this magical seed is currently being "rediscovered" in the nutritional world and it is becoming very popular very quickly both in the human
diet and in animal feed.
Chia contains no less than 23 % poly-unsaturated fatty acids and it is the seed with the highest omega-3 fatty acid content in the plant world. Moreover chia oil is rich in natural anti-oxidants. As a result the omega-3 acids are much more stable than in other sources.
Chia belongs to the mucous-forming seeds and is rich in mucopolysaccharides. These mucous substances have a great water-binding ability, as a result they can quickly improve the consistency of the droppings with digestive disorders. In addition they form a type of mucous layer on the intestine, as a result of which harmful bacteria can cause less damage. Contrary to other mucous forming seeds like linseed, chia does not contain any anti-nutritional factors, that hinder the function of vitamin B6. Furthermore Chia has a much more pleasant taste and is consumed more easily by birds.
Chia is a good source of high quality protein with an excellent amino acid pattern. It should also be noted that chia is rich in minerals (including 0.65 % calcium).
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