FINCHforum

I have noticed that my Society finches LOVE their greens. Celery leaves, dandelion, chickweed, Romaine, even the flowers from the dandelion! They gobble them up no matter how much I put in. I don't give them spinach since I've read too much isn't good but I was wondering about these other greens? they are feeding babies but I don't know if that has anything to do with how much they are eating. I also give them corn, egg food and peas but the fresh greens are their favorite. They practically don't touch their finch seed even though their feeders are always full. I hope this is a healthy diet. I heard they will eat what they need.

It's great to offer a good selection like you do....They do take what they need and keep up the good work!!

Trish, do you break the greens up or just offer it whole and they peck away at it? I've made dishes of greens - all ripped up into smallish pieces for them and they don't touch it! Could I just offer a whole dandelion from my yard?
On a separate note: Do take the "eat what they need" with a grain of salt (no pun intended!). For instance, a sick bird may gorge on grit when not feeling well and thus the impaction controversy. I have heard this from avian vets and it's why I coose "grit" that's soluble only - no granite or sand. A bird that's picked on and doesn't feel "safe" when eating, may gorge when it can on whatever's available - as a survival mechanism. Just something to keep in mind.

Thanks Ladies, I chop the greens up and they happily munch and swallow. They really seem to enjoy it. I also give them whole stems of chickweed once in a while but I chop up the dandelion. Luckily for me we have both growing wild in our lower field so you can't get any fresher or organic than that! I ordered the soluble calcium, charcoal and minerals to make sure they don't ingest any grit and get impacted. They really like that stuff. I put a little in once a week and they sure go for it. I've learned so much on the forum! Finches are sure different than parrots! My parrots turn their beaks up at greens like I'm offering them poison. 'eyu, you want me to eat that?" While the finches peep "gimme, gimme, gimme!" I just love the little piggies