Granulated Kelp

[MiaCarter]

I just got some granulated kelp for my new gouldians and I'm not quite sure how to offer it.

It doesn't have directions and on the site it just says that they love foraging through the bits.
So I tried putting it in a dish, but they ignored it.

So I thought I'd see how you all offer it?
Do you give it straight or mix it in with something else?

This pair wasn't fed a wide variety of fresh food, so I'm only just starting to figure out what they enjoy. I know granulated kelp is great for plumage and general health too.

[KarenB]

I don't know if you offer Miracle Meal, but I add powdered spirulina to the Miracle Meal, along with the dried meal worms. I would imagine that the kelp would work the same. It turns the Miracle Meal green, but the finches don't care.

[MiaCarter]

KarenB --- I do have Miracle Meal and they did seem to eat it. So I could definitely try it with that!

I served the Miracle Meal dry. I know you can add water, but I wasn't sure how much (it's rather vague on the package. It says something like "add a small amount of water.")

I wonder if you can add water to the granulated kelp?

Or maybe it's best to serve dry. No bacteria growth potential that way.

Curiously, this pair hasn't touched the eggfood!
I've never seen a finch ignore the eggfood, even when it's new!

[KarenB]

I serve Miracle Meal dry. Never tried wetting it. *shrug* The birds all seem to like it the way it is, so I've never thought about adding water to it (especially since they always get fresh greens, sprouted seed and fresh egg food). It's a staple and something that is ever-present for them, along with dried egg food and freeze-dried critters.

[monotwine]

When I kept Gouldian I used to offer the Kelp as part of their grit and mineral mix with lots of ground egg shells. This way they helped themselves. Sometimes I worry about adding supplements to food as the birds don't have a choice about its intake.

[monotwine]

Google iodine overdose in Gouldian and you will find lots of articles about it. Too much can be counter productive and actually inhibit moult or even damage liver.

Not trying to scare you or point fingers at your bird care, but just wanted to point out the other end of the scale for all readers.
We often overdose with supplements without knowing the effect it is having. Especially with iron a little goes a long way.

[Corkysgirl]

I think Miracle Meal is a little oily as it has canola oil in it so the kelp should stick somewhat. Something I do for Jo Jo the parakeet to get his Feather Fast in him that may work for your kelp also is...I take a rubbermaid container with bird seed in it and a teaspoon or so of organic coconut oil. I add the Feather Fast (you could add kelp) and shake until all the seeds are coated. He has no choice but to eat it as he's cracking the shell coating off the millet, etc. May work for you.

[MiaCarter]

monotwine -- That's a good idea to add it to something that's free choice so they can choose to eat it or not, depending on whether they need it.

I've never had much luck with them eating grit, oyster shell and mineral mix free choice.
They pretty much ignore it. It's in there, but it never goes down. The only reason I even change it is because it gets pooped on! LOL

But I could certainly add it to part of a food offering so it's still free choice (e.g. half with kelp; another half without.)

@Corkysgirl -- That's a great method for mixing in the oil to make it sticky. I'll have to try that!

With the granulated kelp, it's actually the same consistency as the miracle meal in terms of size and texture. So I bet I could just mix it in without oil and it would stay well blended.

[Corkysgirl]

It most likely would stick to the miracle meal. I just thought I'd mention the coconut oil method for meds and such. Ground egg shells and kelp together sounds good together.

[finchandlovebird]

I offer kelp as it is, in a small dish in each cage.