FINCHforum

Periodically I've given my finches little "treats" to have to vary their diet, I'm starting to do this more often now and trying to offer them something besides seeds every day.

A couple of my birds (the Java Rice and Shafttail) are quite gusto about trying new things I put in the cage, a few others (my Zebra and male Silverbill) are a little more cautious, but will sometimes try new things, especially if they see another bird try it first; but then I have the entire rest of my flock that really doesn't give any special foods I give them the time of day. My Spice, Whydahs, Orange Cheek and female Silverbill won't even give the time of day to crushed up hard boiled egg, let alone more "scary" things I might give them.

Should I just keep trying since this is the first time I'm trying to give them other sources of food regularly and see if they learn, or should I supplement them with some sort of liquid vitamins or minerals since I they eat is seeds? If I went the vitamins/minerals route, would this hurt my other birds that do partake in varied food items?

Try mixing a little finch/canary pellets in the seed or offer it in a separate cup. You can try the separate cup first so you can see exactly what they are eating. Mine like the Zupreem Fruit Blend Canary/finch.

I asked my vet about adding vitamins to the water, she said everything they need is in the pellets, so adding additional vitamins in the water is not necessary. You can serve it alone or with seed or no seed at all. An all seed diet can cause some health issues and trying to balance what the birds need with veggies, fruits may not give them everything they need if some don't eat enough of it.

Finches will usually try new food if it looks like their usual food. You can try finch treats that look like seed but come in fruit and vegetable flavors from Kaytee.

Finchgirl, are you referring to the ones that come in a little bags by Kaytee....like shredded dried carrots, greens that you can get at PetSmart? I'ce tried those, some birds like those instead of the fresh grated carots.

I was actually referring to the ones that come in the canisters that are available at petsmart. I believe they come in two flavors, orange, and garden vegetable. The ones you referred to with dried vegetables also sound like they would work for picky eaters!

I will have to look for those...sounds good!

I have a special dish that I use for their "other" food -- fresh, treats, greens, etc. They know that when they see that bowl, it's GOODIE time!

It's amazing how trained they become. I can put that same food in another dish and they will act like they've never seen it before -- all cautious and everything.

Yes, I made sure I bought multiples of that kind of dish. If something should ever happen to break the only one... well, I shudder the thought... LMAO!!!

And when you choose a new healthy food to offer, offer it fresh daily for 90 days. Many finches are reluctant to try new foods and you'll be amazed at what they will accept when given the time. 2 to 3 months is a standard time frame for a finch to adjust to something that looks, smells, and tastes entirely different. If they accept something more quickly, then all the better!

Bill

WhiteMagicWoman wrote:I have a special dish that I use for their "other" food -- fresh, treats, greens, etc. They know that when they see that bowl, it's GOODIE time!

It's amazing how trained they become. I can put that same food in another dish and they will act like they've never seen it before -- all cautious and everything.

Yes, I made sure I bought multiples of that kind of dish. If something should ever happen to break the only one... well, I shudder the thought... LMAO!!!

I agree with Susan! I use the same green dish everytime I give them "treat" type foods. They usually start beeping and hopping around excitedly as soon as they see me coming with it. And even when I offer brand new foods in it, they still don't hesitate to try them quickly.
Another trick I discovered is this: once you identify a food they especially like (for mine it's cucumber), try to add that food to other new stuff you're offering.
In general, mine don't have any problem with mixing different types of food (i.e. fruits and veggies together or egg and veggies together).

Every morning I bring my finches their fresh food/ treats. when they hear me come down the stairs you can hear a pin drop in the Finch Room. Total silence. Then I open the door and say "Who wants breakfast" and they all chirp up a storm! They know when the goodie lady brings their breakfast!