FINCHforum

Is it possible to feed my birds only freshfood and still get the what their body needs?

For example they get a variet of fruits veggies, grains, and meat? Can it work??

Don't know about meat, but veggies, fruits, grains are usually good for our birds, though some things need to be in moderation. I have never tried it, but I don't think it would work with my species anyway. One thing you could always do is also offer pellets, which are a balanced nutrition, and then add the others in moderation. The biggest problem IMO is that unless you do a lot of research, you will have no idea of whether you are offering a balance or not. Remember, in the wild, seed-eating birds will eat mostly seeds, but also supplement with fruit, veggies, insects--a variety of foods.

I know budgies eat fish and some meats, but wasn't sure on finches.. Was just thinking. Maybe I can try it someday..

I think I will do a natural pellet diet, like roudybush, and off the usual lettuce, carrots, cucomber, corn and try experimenting with meal worms. I want the healthy birds I can have when I start breeding again.

I would say that unless you get a species that needs mealworms in order to breed and/or raise young, I wouldn't bother with the mealworms. It is easy to set up a mealworm farm, but sometimes a pain to keep up with it, and your Mom may not be thrilled with the possibility of bugs in her house! You can always try the freeze-dried bloodworms as a protein substitute, many of my insectivorous birds love them.

I agree with Sally. A hookbill or finch would not eat meat in the wild. It's body simply does not have the digestive system or produce the enzymes needed to digest it. An occasional insect every now and then, but that's completely different than the complex proteins found in meat. Birds that have evolved for millions of years to eat seeds should eat seeds as their main diet. For that reason, I don't even agree with a strictly pellet diet. Fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and grains would probably sustain a bird for quite some time, but would it be the ideal diet - I don't think so.
My main mentor in bird husbandry has canaries routinely living for 10 to 20 years, far longer than people who somehow try to improve on nature. Bob

I know that many use an all-pellet diet, and there are definitely advantages to doing so, but when I fed an all-pellet diet, I noticed one day that my birds were not as active, not singing as much, and I realized that something was just off. I switched back to a seed diet, and before long, they were more active and singing more. It wasn't a huge difference, just a subtle change each day. IMO, birds in the wild spend all day searching/foraging for food/minerals. Our caged birds have it handed to them on a platter each day. We need to stimulate them by offering as much variety as possible--it is good for their mental health. Again, this is just my personal opinion, no research to back me up.

I know that many use an all-pellet diet, and there are definitely advantages to doing so, but when I fed an all-pellet diet, I noticed one day that my birds were not as active, not singing as much, and I realized that something was just off.

You know I tried the "all pellet diet" once with my conures - one of them even having been weaned on them. They would scoop up mouthfuls of food and just throw it on the floor and out of the cage, seemingly in "disgust". A vet friend of mine told me to try a bigger pellet as the medium size I was offering possibly didn't prove enough of a "challenge" for them to enjoy the eating experience.
Another friend of mine who owned an African Grey asked me if I would like to eat the exact same thing every day? I let this go on for about a month before giving my birds back their seeds with perhaps a teaspoon of pellets mixed in. The birds just seemed so much happier! I had them for ten years before giving them away, extremely healthy to an elderly couple who adored birds. My in-laws, in poor health, and living with us at the time, could not handle their constant screaming. Bob

Sally wrote: I would say that unless you get a species that needs mealworms in order to breed and/or raise young, I wouldn't bother with the mealworms. It is easy to set up a mealworm farm, but sometimes a pain to keep up with it, and your Mom may not be thrilled with the possibility of bugs in her house! You can always try the freeze-dried bloodworms as a protein substitute, many of my insectivorous birds love them.

My mom is on a need to know basis, she does not like bugs, so what she won't know won't hurt! Lol, I won't set up a farm but getting a 50 count for 3$ isnt bad and it would be like a treat! I think bloodworms ar ebetter though, I have given them to my fish but never birds!

30 Seconds to Bob wrote:

I know that many use an all-pellet diet, and there are definitely advantages to doing so, but when I fed an all-pellet diet, I noticed one day that my birds were not as active, not singing as much, and I realized that something was just off.

You know I tried the "all pellet diet" once with my conures - one of them even having been weaned on them. They would scoop up mouthfuls of food and just throw it on the floor and out of the cage, seemingly in "disgust". A vet friend of mine told me to try a bigger pellet as the medium size I was offering possibly didn't prove enough of a "challenge" for them to enjoy the eating experience.
Another friend of mine who owned an African Grey asked me if I would like to eat the exact same thing every day? I let this go on for about a month before giving my birds back their seeds with perhaps a teaspoon of pellets mixed in. The birds just seemed so much happier! I had them for ten years before giving them away, extremely healthy to an elderly couple who adored birds. My in-laws, in poor health, and living with us at the time, could not handle their constant screaming. Bob

I would hate eating the same thing! That is why i want to offer different fresh foods daily. The fruit pellets should also add variety. Sorry to hear about your in laws.

Dante I understand what you are trying to attempt but sadly I believe in the long run this would be very hard either keeping it up or keeping your birds healthy. Meat and birds will work for some, parrots do have a taste for meat and my red rumps would love it when I placed a bit of cooked mince in for them. People have stated that they have feed fish and chicken to thier finches and canaries, well I'm not even going to try. As using mealworms for finches they make a great treat and do help adults raise chicks but they aren't that nutritious unless gut loaded, crickets and maggots are far better in nutritional value. Finches by nature are seed eaters so this would mean the larger part of their diet would consist of seed and by all means give them some pallets and fruit and veg anything that your heart desires but everything in moderation.

Dante, remember that the bloodworms I use for birds are the freeze-dried ones, not frozen. I don't think my birds would go for the frozen, and I sure wouldn't want to deal with the mess.

Are they the same freeze dried bloodworms that people buy for fish?

Lori

Sally wrote: Dante, remember that the bloodworms I use for birds are the freeze-dried ones, not frozen. I don't think my birds would go for the frozen, and I sure wouldn't want to deal with the mess.

wilkifam wrote: Are they the same freeze dried bloodworms that people buy for fish?

Lori

Sally wrote: Dante, remember that the bloodworms I use for birds are the freeze-dried ones, not frozen. I don't think my birds would go for the frozen, and I sure wouldn't want to deal with the mess.

Yes, they are fish food. I have been using Hikari brand, but I may try some of the cheaper brands, save some money. If you google freeze-dried bloodworms, there are lots of online places to get them, but I would just get a small container at a local pet shop (or even Walmart) first and make sure your birds will eat them--I have a few that won't.

Dan, you are proabl right.

Sally, I can get the fish ones, I used to buylarge containers for my cichlids. BUt my uncle bought freeze dried melworms from petsmart, (it was inthe reptile section) andhe smashed them up and mized into the eggfood

What about using the green day diet?

http://www.nfss.org/articles/article/Green_Day_Diet.pdf