Iodine supplements

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:47 pm

Other than containing more protein and fats 20%/10% (breeders Diet) vs 14%/4% (Maintenance Diet) ther is not much else that looks too different. So perhaps when they are breeding I will add the egg food also.

Chris

rottielover · Post by **rottielover** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:03 pm

I went ahead and send another email to Zupreem asking if the Cockatiel size could be ground down to size for use with finches.

I'm also going to ask my vet about it, as I think the young are who need the diet most while growing at such an amazing rate at which they do!

Post by **Sally** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:10 pm

If I remember right, Roudybush makes a breeder pellet for finches, but I think it is only available in large bags, like maybe 25 or 50lb. bags. I am still giving my birds other foods, like greens, veggies, fruits, and they do have access to oystershell (I use pellets). With Gouldians, since they have such a heavy molt all at once, I still would feel more comfortable giving them liquid kelp during that time at least. You will know if they are deficient on iodine, as they will soon be going bald! I don't know of scientific evidence that Gouldians need extra iodine, I'm just going by advice given by some breeders who've been at this for years.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:11 pm

True.

The only thing about grinding it down is the fact that it will be a powder and the finch might not take to the texture of the product. In a way it's like making egg food but without the egg food?

Chris

stellaf · Post by **stellaf** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:16 am

Hi,
It is such a nice stuff and I really like it. Thank you so much for sharing.

Stella

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:45 am

I'm getting my juvenile gouldian onto pellets as I feel it's better for them during the molt. It has all the vitamines and minerals and the protein content is high enough that I don't have to worry about egg food. I'm gonna only feed seed 1 time a week. It also makes cleaning the age so much easier.

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:37 am

It's interesting to see these old threads revived sometimes. I see by my postings how I have changed my thinking as time went on. I no longer feed pellets (a personal choice), and I believe in giving Gouldians iodine or kelp on a regular basis. I have no scientific evidence, but I do know that when I don't supplement, I have had a problem with at least semi-baldness.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 12:00 pm

I keep a mix of mineral grit(shells), Charcoal, essential mineral dust, and kelp in a small cup at all times. The kelp and mineral dust coat the grit and the birds get plenty. I do put liquid iodine in the water about once a month for 2 days... just to make sure they have plenty.
I mix a seed diet with rowdy bush nibbles and zureem canary/finch fruit blend. The birds have there choice of food. They at first never ate the pellets so I would recycle them to the Zebra finches who eat everything. But now the Gouldians eat the pellets along with the seed.