FINCHforum

I have never used pedialyte in my finches diet, however I'm wondering if I should? Is it safe to put it in straight, or should I mix it with water, or not give it at all? I know that people use it when handfeeding, so I know it is ok for them to have, but I'm just wondering if it'll benefit my finches? Especially my finches that are feeding babies?

Emily,

I tested the "clear" unflavored Pedialyte for a gouldian who was recoving from illness. I really didn't "need too" but I wanted too just in case, and I wanted to see if the bird would prefere it over plain water.

I replaced the water in the drinker with Pedialyte, and placed a cup of plain water in a dish on the other side of the cage. The bird had been using that drinker for a couple weeks, so I figured the water cup would be used for bathing.

Much to my suprise the bird stopped using the drinker and went for the plain water cup.

I have no idea if it was due to the Pedialyte, or just becase the water was offered in a new manner and the bird was curios.


I haven't tried it with the society baby's that are just about to start weaning yet, but the problem with pedialyte is that it only keeps a few days after you open the bottle in the fridge (I can't remember the exact number of days but it's on the bottle). I can only find it in about a 1/2 gallon size bottle, and I don't have enough finches to drink all that before it would go bad.

So at this point I'm going to save the pedialyte for illlness emergancy's (like if the baby birds get loose stools).

Hi, Emily - I used Pedialyte in place of part of the water when mixing up handfeeding formula--it is supposed to give those new babies an extra boost. I still only used a little of the Pedialyte, and had to throw much of it away. I don't see any value in feeding it to your finches at all. As far as giving it to birds that are feeding babies, my feeling is that a good basic diet with plenty of eggfood will do just fine.

I thought the pedialyte was good b/c of the electrolytes? I don't know... I bought some of the orginal non-flavored... maybe I can give a little in their water and see what happens.... then I could use the rest to give to my daughter, who is currently sick!

I've used it in the handrearing formula too. I don't know how long they can be on it but it seemed after a few days she would eat a bit less so I went back to plain water.

The hf formula I use recommends adding Pedialyte for only the first couple of days after hatch, then discontinuing it. I've never used it on adult birds.