FINCHforum

I have a pair of Red-Headed parrot finches, they get egg food+soaked seed daily and the foreign finch seed, red millet spray and ground charcoal/crushed oystershell , the cage is 36" x 20" x 20", at present i'm giving them 6-8 std mealworms twice daily which are gone in no time.


I was wondering how many std size mealworms should they be given daily ?

They have also built a nest so could be about to start laying

Should they have a constant excess supply of them (should have mini mealworms in about 2 weeks) whilst rearing chicks ?


Hopefully someone can advise as i'm new to finches and don't want these active little birds getting obese

When there are hatchlings, you want to keep fresh food available through out the day. If you're giving them mealies or mini mealies and they eat them, then you would increase the amount a few days before the eggs are due to hatch to let them know there will be plenty of food available. Once babies hatch, they'll go through them really fast, so make sure you have a consistent supply ready. Good Luck!

My parrot finches didnt require live mealworms to raise babies, just boiled egg, quality seed, chitted seed and tons of veg. Bell peppers, broccoli etc.
A few weeks ago I did buy live mealworms to feed to my fires and have been putting mealies in each of the cages, which the PFs love. I would consider the mealies a treat for the PF's and not essential for raising chicks like the egg food is.

Many thanks for the replies, i guess there is no recommended exact quantity and it's more a case of trial and depending on what other feeds such as greens they are fed.

Perfex, i've been giving them grated carrots mixed in with the egg food/soaked seed along with some washed groundsel, i never even thought of giving them broccoli + bell peppers which will be a alot easier to obtain than the groundsel

I guess a trip to supermarket veg. section is called for with a finch grocery list, i presume the likes of soft greens such as lettuce should be avoided or fed very sparingly


Padraic

My finches absolutely LOVE Romaine lettuce or any green leaf lettuce. They get that daily. I usually chop broccoli in my food processor and sometimes do that with carrots and bell peppers. They love that mix too. When breeding, remember that the amount of food will increase and you need to keep the food dishes full. I check/feed breeding pairs 3-4 times a day when they've got babies.

Great advice! I went down the mealworms road too. My parrot finches raise well without them now. I agree with the romaine, chitted seed, boiled egg and eggfood. I also add grass seed (untreated) to the normal seed mix. Good luck!!

Have a read of this regarding meal worms.I only feed small amounts once a day when breeding
http://www.cliftonfinchaviaries.org/cfa ... alworm.htm

Kale is another excellent green veggie which my birds love.

Diamond Sparrow wrote: Have a read of this regarding meal worms.I only feed small amounts once a day when breeding
http://www.cliftonfinchaviaries.org/cfa ... alworm.htm

great article, thanks for sharing!

I've introduced cucumber, broccolli, bell peppers and apple along with the grated carrot in egg food/soaked seed mix to thier diet for the last few days and they love it. I'll try a few more different greens every few days to give them variety.

No sign of any eggs yet but i have seen both birds exiting nest box when i entered room, and they were making a trill noise while in nest which could have been a sign of them mating as from what i've read they mate in nest box.


Padraic

good news!
best of luck

Sounds promising!

Sounds like you're doing great Padraic. The noise you are hearing in the nest box is what our family call "crickets" in the nestbox. We know that usually once you hear crickets, eggs are about a week away. Won't be long!!
I have one pair inside and their eggs should have hatched a couple of days ago so I should start hearing the chicks soon. My other pair, (sea green) has several chicks outdoors. They are a week old. This is their first time as successful (so far) parents, and the second successful clutch for the indoor pair. Both did not incubate several rounds of eggs each, so hopefully yours will sit tight from the beginning. Good luck.

Thanks Michelle, i suspected the noises 'crickets' were a good sign, i'm crossing my fingers all goes well, this is an adult pair which most probably bred before with previous owner so hopefully the're good parents.
Congrats on your youngsters, it sounds like your having plenty of success with them now.

I think i caught this Bird Keepers bug as i'm picking up a 2nd pair next week, these will be a young pair of seagreen that are just finishing first moult, they might be a light pied as i noticed a white flight feather on 1 and they also have tiny bits of yellow showing in plummage.


Padraic

I did hear the chicks this evening. It was very soft, they get noisier as they get bigger. They are definitely addictive, and it is very rewarding and thrilling to have them breed and raise their own young.
I'll be looking forward to pictures of your new additions when you get them, they sound so pretty. Mine are not pied.