For healthy and happy finches, you must provide them with a well balanced mix of all the edibles that finches naturally feed on. Here are some basics of what is needed to provide good nutrition for your finch birds.
Millet seed is often used by finch breeders and enthusiasts. It is a common practice for breeders to mix four or five types of millet seeds for their birds. It is a good idea to experiment with the mix that your own finches like as it will lower the amount of seed waste and your birds will be eating enough to provide them with the nutrients they need on a daily basis.
Experienced breeders recommend that you buy fresh seeds over irradiated seeds if you have that option. Most species will eagerly consume fresh seeds over irradiated seeds every time.
During the colder months it is imperative to add seeds rich in natural oil to their seed mix. Hulled oats are a good choice because finches need the extra oil in their diets to improve their resistance to cold. Other good choices are sunflower seeds, oats, rape seeds and poppy seeds. These seeds should also be added during the breeding months to help jumpstart the courtship and mating of males and females.
Sprouted seeds are another great seed to add to your finch's diet. Be sure not to mix sprouted seeds with dry seeds as this can quicken the spoilage rate of your seeds.
Never keep moist, sprouted seeds in the cage or aviary for more than twenty-four hours. Any leftovers should be replaced with fresh sprouted seeds in a clean dry dish. To help encourage mating during the breeding season, sprouted seeds should be provided alongside oily seeds. Your finches will also enjoy a mixture of crushed boiled chicken eggs and crushed biscuit. You can find bird biscuits commercially. Boiled chicken eggs are a great source of fat and protein for your birds. You should thoroughly mash freshly boiled eggs before mixing it with the biscuits. You can provide a small amount of egg and biscuits at every feeding. Remove any leftovers mixes within twenty-four hours along with the unused dry seeds and sprouted seeds.
Your finches will also enjoy live foods such as meal worms and larvae; which are both great sources of protein. Larger species such as the Melba Finch need live foods in their diet for optimum health. You can find out from the breeder or store you purchase your finches from if they need live foods in their diet to maintain good health.
If you really want to spoil your birds, treat them to some chopped veggies. Finches love broccoli flowers, cauliflower and carrot tops. Be sure to chop the vegetables into tiny pieces and put them in a clean, dry feeding dish. Your birds will really enjoy this little treat.
Millet seed is often used by finch breeders and enthusiasts. It is a common practice for breeders to mix four or five types of millet seeds for their birds. It is a good idea to experiment with the mix that your own finches like as it will lower the amount of seed waste and your birds will be eating enough to provide them with the nutrients they need on a daily basis.
Experienced breeders recommend that you buy fresh seeds over irradiated seeds if you have that option. Most species will eagerly consume fresh seeds over irradiated seeds every time.
During the colder months it is imperative to add seeds rich in natural oil to their seed mix. Hulled oats are a good choice because finches need the extra oil in their diets to improve their resistance to cold. Other good choices are sunflower seeds, oats, rape seeds and poppy seeds. These seeds should also be added during the breeding months to help jumpstart the courtship and mating of males and females.
Sprouted seeds are another great seed to add to your finch's diet. Be sure not to mix sprouted seeds with dry seeds as this can quicken the spoilage rate of your seeds.
Never keep moist, sprouted seeds in the cage or aviary for more than twenty-four hours. Any leftovers should be replaced with fresh sprouted seeds in a clean dry dish. To help encourage mating during the breeding season, sprouted seeds should be provided alongside oily seeds. Your finches will also enjoy a mixture of crushed boiled chicken eggs and crushed biscuit. You can find bird biscuits commercially. Boiled chicken eggs are a great source of fat and protein for your birds. You should thoroughly mash freshly boiled eggs before mixing it with the biscuits. You can provide a small amount of egg and biscuits at every feeding. Remove any leftovers mixes within twenty-four hours along with the unused dry seeds and sprouted seeds.
Your finches will also enjoy live foods such as meal worms and larvae; which are both great sources of protein. Larger species such as the Melba Finch need live foods in their diet for optimum health. You can find out from the breeder or store you purchase your finches from if they need live foods in their diet to maintain good health.
If you really want to spoil your birds, treat them to some chopped veggies. Finches love broccoli flowers, cauliflower and carrot tops. Be sure to chop the vegetables into tiny pieces and put them in a clean, dry feeding dish. Your birds will really enjoy this little treat.
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