FINCHforum

Hi there -

I've been perusing the forum and have answered a couple of my questions, but can't seem to get a handle on an exact answer (if there is one). Please forgive me if I've missed it.

Both birds are male - Kramer and Cosmo - I've posted about them before. =) Everything I read online recommends a diet based on the breeding/moulting/resting seasons. Is this necessary for two males who are not breeders?

Currently I offer them two different varieties of seeds, one is a store-bought kind that I bought b/c Coz was used to it, and the other is an organic Aussie blend that I think is healthier for them, but he wouldn't touch it at first. Now I keep both to offer variety - they appear to eat a bit of both each day. They also get pellets, which they usually ignore, and I give them powdered egg food mixed dry in their seed and also wet in a treat cup. I also give them hard boiled eggs/shells when possible and offer veggies / fruit (which they ignore) and millet is almost always available (which they devour). I recently added a little grit cup, which Coz seems to use more than Kramer, especially lately while he's molting.

I'm going to try sprouted seeds as well, and read that quinoa is a nice treat for them. I eat that all the time, so figured I would share with them. Overall their diet seems balanced (at least the offerings are...not sure they actually eat balanced all the time), so I don't currently supplement. That seems to be a hot topic all its own.

Am I wrong to not schedule more specific diet plans around their seasons? I assumed since they don't breed, it's maybe not necessary. Also, they're not on the same molting schedule. Kramer molted in October or so, and Coz is molting now. He's really wiped out by it and takes little snoozes - much different than Kramer was - we raised the house temp to hopefully help ease it for him. He still eats and sings and drinks, so I try not to worry that he's tired. He does eat a lot of the egg food and the grit right now, which seems appropriate while molting.

Way too long. Sorry. In summary:

1. Should I be changing their diet as if they were a regular, breeding pair?
2. Is it okay to offer egg food daily?

They seem a little feistier lately - Kramer doesn't seem to have patience with Coz's molt. Coz wants to stay by the heat lamp and Kramer wants to go to bed on the opposite side of the cage. Takes quite a while for them to stop "jousting" and bickering and tuck in on the bedtime perch this last week. Oy...like children!

Thanks again for any advice!

A good seed mix with added hard boiled egg 2 to 3 times a week is a good start. When they molt I give them egg everyday, after the molt back to 2 to 3 times a week. All the other things in moderation and occasionally would be good. You will find that they will eat different things at different times of the year according to what stage they are in.
Beautiful birds, best of luck

Over a year or 2, you might be able to get their molting in sync.
I did read something "somewhere" about getting birds in sync. It might have been using the "seasons" feeding method.

But since you are just keeping them and not breed, I would do as Debbie said. Just keep feeding the general mixed food, so that they can pick what they want to eat.

Similar to Debbie, I give mine chopped up hardboiled eggs + veggies 2x a week when not molting, and daily when molting.