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what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:46 am
by farmgirl
My Gouldian pair has been working on a new nest this last week and it just dawned on me this morning that the eggs will hatch just as I go on vacation for 2 weeks. The person that I have coming to the house to care for them can only come 1x a day so that kind of throws out moist foods, greens, and such. Any suggestions for continuing to provide the nutrition my nesters need without having spoilable foods available?

Re: what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:03 pm
by nelloyello11
You could offer a commercial egg food mix. I use Quiko Exotic and my zebras love it. I think most of them are formulated to be offered dry right out of the package, or moistened. And it provides that very important protein. If you are currently offering fresh egg food, I would try the commercial out as long as you can before you go away, to make sure they will accept it.
If that is not an option, someone (I think Kenny) has suggested making eggfood and freezing it in ice cube trays, thawing them out as needed.
There are also some dried greens mixes that you can get. I have a dish of these always available and they are great, especially for days that I can't gice fresh greens. Kaytee makes one (Nature's Benefit Bird Greens) that is available at most pet stores. You can also try the Health Greens from ladygouldian.com.
I should mention that I do not keep gouldians, and my advice comes from my experience with zebras. I am sure others will be along soon with more advice!

Re: what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:14 pm
by cindy
ABBA makes a eggfood green mix called ABBA92 with greens or 97 nestling food...Bird Supply of NH carries a variety of you can order directly from ABBA Seed.

https://www.birdsupplynh.com/catalog/in ... 3618c1d92b

Also try giving them Zupreem fruit blend canary finch pellets....it will keep some nutrtion and vitamins available and is easy to leave down.

Re: what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:54 pm
by ac12
Also Miracle Meal by Morning Bird

Re: what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:21 pm
by farmgirl
Thank you! I will see if I can't get my hands on some of these products!

Re: what to feed nesters while on vacation?

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:34 pm
by Sally
You could also make homemade eggfood, make it quite dry so it will be OK for all day, then put daily portions in the freezer. All your sitter has to do is thaw one portion in the fridge overnight, then put it in the cages the next day.