FINCHforum

Hello!
I have 4 Zebra's and am feeding them the Katee brand food from the pet store (I bought the most expensive thinking it would be the best). The birds only pick out the smallest of the seeds and the long thin seeds. I only give a little each day so that I can put fresh food in each night and not waste it. My question is, should I leave the food in longer so that they are forced to also eat those red and green pellets (along with the other stuff) that is left behind when they only eat the seeds? I am just worried that I am making them lack a key component of their diet by refreshing constantly when just the little seeds are gone. Any recommendations would be helpful! Thanks! Liz

You don't need to replace the seed every day. You can put in a bigger dish and leave it in there. Just make sure that you blow the hulls out so they don't cover the seeds in the dish and refill if needed. Every other week or so you can throw out the uneaten seeds. Finches don't eat all types at all times. They might not like certain seeds now that they will eat in summer. Or, there might be some that your birds don't like at all.

Do you also feed fresh veggies and millet spray? Veggies should be replaced daily. I put my fresh food in in the morning and tale out at night.

I give them millet and they love that stuff. They have not eaten any of the veggies I put in there, but I can try again. What veggies do you find yours like a lot?

I have found from past experience the colored seed and pellets in the mixes are never eaten..the pellets are usually to hard or somewhat stale.

I would by a basic mix, like the KayTee Supreme, don't get the foritied with colored seeds. Big waste of money. The seed is hulled and the so called vitamins on it are in the bottom tray. Buy a good quality pellet and mix it in the seed or serve it separate.Zupreem fruit blend pellets for finches and canaries...my zebras down this as well as my owls and other finches.

I also give boiled grated egg with grated carrots and shaved broccoli tops...they love romaine.

isyourpetfixed wrote:I give them millet and they love that stuff. They have not eaten any of the veggies I put in there, but I can try again. What veggies do you find yours like a lot?

My finches go mostly for the romaine lettuce (organic) and defrosted corn kernels. Give them some time and try different veggies, always for a week or so every day even if they don't eat it. They have to discover that this is actually food. Maybe don't give them millet spray for a day or two, it that's their favorite, and then sprinkle some on the veggies. That might entice them to try it.