Should we think seasonal feeding?

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:18 pm

I know most of us have had birds from at least two different continuities, but what is the general train of thought we have towards how we feed our birds in the winter compared to summer? Should we feed them like they eat in the wild - sparingly or less fat/protein? Then, as summer comes on we give them the good stuff - especially if indeed on breeding? That's the devil in me speaking - sorry. Subconsciously I like to think we are their guardians and do what's best for them all year long and more during breeding season. What do you guys think? Should we be prepping our pairs for spring soon? Sam

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:48 pm

Yes, I think you are absolutely right! From what I've read, we really do need to feed a more austere diet for at least part of the year, to be sure the hen gets a proper rest. So it would make sense to mimic what would happen in the wild.

Personally, I really hate to restrict the diet to seed only though. I hate to make them do without the things they really love. I do cut down on the amount of eggfood, birdie bread, mealworms, and even cut down on the millet a bit. But everything else they get the same as usual, all year. After all, I hope to give them a better, healthier diet, more consistantly than they would get in the wild, while still making sure they have recognizable "seasons".

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:02 am

I feed the same all year round. My way of thinking is that if they aren't breeding, they're probably molting, so why wouldn't you offer a good diet?
Even while they're resting, they still need to build up their reserves until they are breeding or molting again, right?

I spend a lot of time on the LadyGouldianFinch site and Larraine mentions she used to offer a resting diet and a high protein diet during breeding. Her success with breeding has increased when she offered the same, high protein, fresh greens, varied diet all year round.

People might offer different advice, but this is just what I do.

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:05 am

Now that was a nice read. That was sensible and easy to consider. Thank you.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:11 am

I like to feed mine the same thing all year round as well.

SamFoy · Post by **SamFoy** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:14 am

Kudos for you Franny.
Atarasi - I understand what your saying, but ... What can I say, I'm still figuring what to do. Thanks

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:57 am

Sam,
Like with anything, it's all trial and error. I've said this before and I'll say it again(!) If it were that easy, there wouldn't be any fun in learning from mistakes so you'll know better the next time.
I'm not the most experienced on this forum, but I just know what's worked for me.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:37 am

My biggest problem is that I have both African and Australian finches, and they are breeding at different times of the year. The majority of mine are settling into breeding now (I hope, anyway), but my Strawberry pairs are on opposite breeding schedules. Trying to accommodate everyone would take a lot more organization than I am capable of!

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:03 pm

You make a good point Sally!

I only have my 2 to worry about. So it's easy to just cut back on the number of days I offer all those treats, and cut the daylight hours back a bit, so they know it's the 'off' season. But I'm looking forward to the spring and starting all over again. Hope I have as good a year this year, with the next clutch. If there's a market for the babies I may let them have 2 clutches this year. They will be happy but tired.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:29 am

I have australian & african finches in my aviary. each year during winter I put them on an austerity diet ( seed only). during this time I provide no live food or green food just dry seed. they do have the occasional feed of greens from the plants that are in the aviary though. grit is made available all year. during this time frame I make certain that there are no nests and no nesting materials in the aviary.
in late winter I start to provide fresh green food and about two weeks after that the live food is made available again along with green millet sprays. shortly after that I place nests back into the aviary and make sure that there is a plentiful supply of nesting material.
the first birds back into the nests each year are the gold breasts, painted finches and the red billed firefinches. the gouldians are usually a couple of months later due to their moult.
during winter I increase the fat content of the seed by increasing the % of linseed, rape seed and niger in the dry seed mix

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:07 am

mickp wrote:during winter I increase the fat content of the seed by increasing the % of linseed, rape seed and niger in the dry seed mix

Can I ask why the increase in fat? Is it because you have outdoor aviaries and they need the extra fat to help keep them warm in winter? Or do you think I need to or should give my GBs a higher fat content in the winter months, though they are kept indoors and while they get less eggfood etc in winter they are not a seed only diet? Just curious.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:31 am

I do it for the reasons you listed Franny.
quite a few winters nights here get down to what we call freezing cold, about 5c and as the nights are longer the time between feeds is more. so i just figured that by increasing the fat content available it would give them a better chance to survive.

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:01 pm

Thanks. That's what I guessed. So I would think I should not increase the fat content for my pampered caged indoor birds.

Otherwise they'll have to be making the same New Year's resolution as I have....