Chives?

[missimeliss67]

I adopted two male zebra finches two weeks ago after the owner was found deceased. It was estimated the birds had been without fresh food for some weeks. I have been feeding them store bought "finch seed" and am appalled that I have been "starving" them further after reading so much on this forum and the finch information center of what they should be having. I have a bunch of chives growing in my garden, but I didn't see those mentioned anywhere, is that something I can feed them? Also I have loads of dandelions that aren't treated with anything (I admit, I love the flowers) and I see they may eat those. Should I just pick the leaves and offer them? Chop them up fine? I would like to give them something fresh immediately! Thanks

[finchmix22]

I would still be careful with greens from outdoors because of parasites, mites, bacterias etc. I'd just get some Romaine lettuce from the store and tear up a piece for them each day. You can also take a carrot and grate it/shred it or buy the prepackaged shredded carrots. My finches love those.

[Rox]

Get them some spinach and some apple to try. These seem to be the most favoured by all my finches. Just dice up into little pieces for them to be able to eat and peck at it. Otherwise mine also love broccolli, carrots, sprouts and some even eat raw pea's and corn on the cob.

I feed my finches safe plants from my garden (kept organic), I just give them a rinse under the tap first. So far there have been no problems and they love dandelions. I just put the flower in as is, and they do all the shredding themselves. Just attach it to the side of the cage with a clothes peg or something similar.

Good luck and well done for saving the finches!

[debbie276]

Welcome to the forum

I feed leaves, flower and seed heads of the dandelions, they love all of it.

I don't see anything about chives on the Finch Information Center nutrition page. Here's the link for safe and unsafe foods:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php

The best thing you can get your birds to eat are hard boiled eggs. Eggs are packed with vitamins and minerals as well as Vitamin D that the birds need to absorb calcium. The egg shells are a great source of calcium, fed in small and large pieces, the larger pieces will keep them entertained for quite a while.

Remember that you birds may take a while to try new foods so don't give up too quickly.