A bug food quandry

[sean]

I have two star finches. In order to add a little spice to their diet, I try to switch their menu up sometimes.
recently, i have been trying to get them to eat insect food. I have put both live mealworms and dried crickets in their food dishes. My problem is that they don't touch either; they'd rather eat just regular old seed.
has anybody had success with finding an insect food acceptable to their (star) finches pallet?

[gomer]

Mine will eat a few meal worms.Some take a while to try new foods.

[franny]

I have two star finches. In order to add a little spice to their diet, I try to switch their menu up sometimes.
recently, i have been trying to get them to eat insect food. I have put both live mealworms and dried crickets in their food dishes. My problem is that they don't touch either; they'd rather eat just regular old seed.
has anybody had success with finding an insect food acceptable to their (star) finches pallet?

I had a hard time getting my GB to eat the canned mealworms at first. Michelle (of Fairest Finches) suggested that I chop it up fine and put in with their eggfood mix. Then gradually put larger pieces in. After about 3 days it was like a lightbulb went off in their little heads! Now I toss in the whole canned mealworms and they go nuts over them. Just didn't recognize it as food I guess, if they have never been offered it before.

[L in Ontario]

Franny - in another post, you mentioned freezing the canned mealworms. That was the only thing holding me back from ordering a can from Fairest Finches as I didn't think I'd go through a can in a week. Anyway now that you mentioned you freeze the can - I've gone ahead and ordered some. So thank you for mentioning being able to freeze them.

I'm now wondering if you thaw them before you put them in the cages or do you put them in frozen and let them thaw in the cages?

[franny]

Franny - in another post, you mentioned freezing the canned mealworms. ....
I'm now wondering if you thaw them before you put them in the cages or do you put them in frozen and let them thaw in the cages?

Michelle checked with the manufacturer. They felt they would last months in the fridge (well why not, I guess? Ketchup does...), but if worried, to go ahead and freeze them. So I do. I take them out of the can they came in and freeze in a small plastic container. (I tried just putting the can in the freezer, but the little plastic peel off lid that comes with it cracked.)

And yes, I put them in the microwave to thaw. I just feed 4 or 5 at a time. They separate easily when frozen, so I just pick a few out of the freezer, wrap in a paper towel, and nuke on 50% power for about 8-10 seconds. Careful not to leave in too long or they will explode! If still a bit too cold, I'll run warm water over them before putting in the cage. I didn't like the idea of them eating something too cold, but no idea if it would hurt if they did. Would be simpler I guess, but didn't want to take a chance.

[gomer]

Same with alive ones,I put 2 kilos at a time in fridge they will last up to 6 months.As for canned ones I have never seen them here.Can you get them shipped to Oz?

[sean]

ozzie ozzie ozzie!

[sean]

thanks for your suggestion Franny. I think that I'll try your method. Glad to see there are no hard feelings from the "off topic" forum section.

Franny - in another post, you mentioned freezing the canned mealworms. ....
I'm now wondering if you thaw them before you put them in the cages or do you put them in frozen and let them thaw in the cages?

Michelle checked with the manufacturer. They felt they would last months in the fridge (well why not, I guess? Ketchup does...), but if worried, to go ahead and freeze them. So I do. I take them out of the can they came in and freeze in a small plastic container. (I tried just putting the can in the freezer, but the little plastic peel off lid that comes with it cracked.)

And yes, I put them in the microwave to thaw. I just feed 4 or 5 at a time. They separate easily when frozen, so I just pick a few out of the freezer, wrap in a paper towel, and nuke on 50% power for about 8-10 seconds. Careful not to leave in too long or they will explode! If still a bit too cold, I'll run warm water over them before putting in the cage. I didn't like the idea of them eating something too cold, but no idea if it would hurt if they did. Would be simpler I guess, but didn't want to take a chance.

[franny]

thanks for your suggestion Franny. I think that I'll try your method. Glad to see there are no hard feelings from the "off topic" forum section.

No problem. That's what we're here for, to share our experiences with other finch lovers. At least that's something we can all agree on. Finches are fascinating and addictive! Let us know if your Stars take to the mealworms eventually, eh?