Revised June 2011.


Overview
Egyptian wheat, also called shallu and chicken corn, is a productive late-maturing grain sorghum that produces large heads with lots of seed. Wildlife, especially quail, doves and squirrels, like it and deer will occasionally eat the seed heads. The growth of both wildlife habitat areas, as well as personal hunting grounds, offers growth potential for producers to grow this sorghum for the value-added agriculture marketplace. 

Several characteristics make it ideally suited as a food and cover plant. Unlike other grain sorghums, Egyptian wheat is not prone to damage by flocks of blackbirds. Its spindly seed heads prevent blackbirds and other relatively large birds from perching on the upper stems to eat the seeds. The tall plants provide cover where wildlife can feel safe from predators. It is also an ideal place to hide young birds. 

It was introduced into the United States from India about 1890. Researchers with the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station were among the first to grow and test the plant. It proved inferior to other grain sorghums as a grain and cattle forage crop, so it was abandoned for this use in favor of other sorghums.

The grain is high in protein, and the wheat can be freestanding or mixed with other food plot varieties.

Price for the seed can vary because there is not a large supply available.

 
Sources
Food of the Pharaohs and Wildlife Too, Progressive Farmer, 2005.

 H. Lee Stribling, Planting Egyptian Wheat for Bobwhite Quail, Auburn University, 1991.
 

Other Links

• Egyptian Wheat - Provides an overview on the proper technique of growing and maintaining.
• Major Grains Used in Bird Seed, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations.
• Seed and Plant Vendors of Conservation Plants, Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2002.

Profile written October 2005 and links checked June 2011.