Too many mealworms?

[Jon]

I've been offering mealworms free choice in hopes that my waxbills will pick up on the fact that they're supposed to be insectivorous, but they still haven't caught on. They won't eat anything but dry seed. They're housed with 2 white java hens which eat just about anything. Lately they've been gorging themselves on the mealworms, maybe 30+ good sized ones a day. The still eat plenty of seed, but...is this OK?

[cindy]

Personally I would not house javas with waxbills. Javas are a bit bigger and can be territorial, perhaps the waxbills feel intimidated and will not readily feed on the mealies or new food since the javas seem to down the mealies,

I had waxbills, some do not ever eat live food and egg was the next best thing.

[Sally]

The only time I think birds should be offered free choice mealworms is when they are feeding babies. Otherwise, they should be limited each day. I am giving my Grens 10-20 mini mealworms a day to try to stimulate them into breeding mode, but they don't get unlimited until they have chicks. And when they aren't in breeding mode, they don't get mealworms.

[Jon]

Ok, thanks guys. I'm just trying to get them to eat new things so they have a more varied and healthy diet since all they eat is seed right now, but the javas were obviously taking advantage of that, lol.

Cindy - Surprisingly, the javas and the waxbills (2 OB and 1 lavender) are best buddies. I never expected any issues in the first place since the javas were housed with societies for a short period without problems, but I also didn't think they'd do so well together. They sit in a tight group and preen eachother constantly. It's hilarious watching a giant java preen a tiny OB waxbill. They're not intimidated at all, neither are they scared of the diamond dove they're with.

I've tried some egg food and birdie bread (I'm out though) and the waxbills didn't touch any.

[Sally]

Try some soaked/sprouted seed. Most birds like that, and then you can gradually add veggies and/or eggfood to the soaked seed.

[cindy]

Jon, I have had both javas and waxbills in the past including lavendars. Javas come time for nesting can be very territorial. If you go to breed them I would house them in a separate cage. My opinion based on my observation.

[Jon]

Try some soaked/sprouted seed. Most birds like that, and then you can gradually add veggies and/or eggfood to the soaked seed.

I tried it a couple times. I think the lavender has been eating it. I don't think the OBs like it.

Jon, I have had both javas and waxbills in the past including lavendars. Javas come time for nesting can be very territorial. If you go to breed them I would house them in a separate cage. My opinion based on my observation.

I wouldn't doubt that. Since I only have two hens I'm not going to breed them, and probably don't plan on breeding in this aviary. They have built a "nest" in a silk plant, but so far only use it for sleeping. If they lay any eggs and start to cause trouble I'll remove them.