FINCHforum

I had been using the Birds R Us Seed and loved it, then bought a 20 lb bag of seed from a vendor at a bird mart whose ingredient list looked to be excellent. However, upon coming home and opening the bag I could smell fennel really strongly. Looking closely the seed mix appears to be at least 30 % fennel which was not in the ingredient list at all. !!!!!! I have since used it up and are ready to repurchase seed but want advice on a reputable merchant whose ingredient list and proportions are honest and fresh enough to sprout.

Sorry to hear you were mislead, did your birds eat the fennel? I tried it on my birds once and they did not eat it.
I like the seed mixes available at Herman bros.
http://www.hermanbros-seed.com/index.html

Thanks I'll check out Herman Bros

They did eat the seed mix fairly well, but I don't think herb seed in that quantity is very healthy long term. Mind you, it took only 4 mths to go through 20 lbs!

I also had very good luck with Herman Brothers

I buy all my seeds from Laraine at ladygouldian. Excellent seeds and the birds eat all of them. I have never had any problems at all.

Thanks Debbie and Donna. Checking out mixes.

I also order from Herman Brothers. I tried a few different seed mixed, but this time went with the Finch #2 Breeders Blend. My finches ate almost everything, except rape or poppy seeds.

Another vote for Herman Bros! I've been using them for many years - wonderful quality and great to work with... The mix I use is called "EM Spec Finch":

JAPANESE MILLET
CANARY
SIBERIAN MILLET
FINCH MILLET
WHITE MILLET
STEEL CUT OATS
RED MILLET
THISTLE
FLAX
RAPE
ANISE
SESAME

I should also mention that I add a small amount of grass seeds (Orchard, Rye, and an amazing mix called "Sidekick" from Connie Gahman (http://wings-custom-mixes.webs.com/prod ... dcosts.htm) as a top-dressing on the seed dishes. All the birds love this - but most especially the Green Singers and Parrot Finches. Societies also get some oat groats (they LOVE these), sometimes a few hemp seeds or sunflower chips.

Yep - I spoil 'em rotten!

Hmmm, this looks useful. Small bags of seed in pet store are expensive and there is so much thistle that my guys won't eat that I seem to get a lot of waste. I will give Herman brothers a try. Looking for less wastage for my bucks.

You guys are great! Herman Bros it is!
Bought 10 lbs of KG finch ( basic millet blend) for seed hoppers
And 10 lbs EM soak seed for sprouting.
Plus a 5 lb bag of parrot #2 blend for my conure.
It will be here next week.

Martie, I bet my PFs would love the grass seed going to check out Wings Custom Mixes. Too.
Earlier this year I raided a local wheat field and sniped off a bag full of milky stage wheat. They took a few tries to like it and now it's like candy for them. I did freeze it and pull out a few heads a day for the ones raising young. Im almost out now, Pity I didn't get more, but you can bet that next spring I'll be taking a few bags with me to the field!!

Came across this thread while looking for something else and just wanted to throw in my vote for Herman Brothers. I started ordering from them last summer (based on recommendations from other FF members), when I was no longer able to get the Amish seed (Lizzie Mae) I had been using. I ordered the EM special finch blend that Martie recommended above, and mine ate almost everything, except the thistle and rape seeds.
I just received my second order from them, and decided to try a different blend. I went with the Fortified Finch #2, and got a few smaller bags of flax, white millet, and sesame to mix in. I will see which blend they seem to like better.
Their shipping was very reasonable, in my opinion, and my whole order worked out to be under $1.75/lb, with shipping,for very fresh clean seed, still less than I can buy crappier commercial stuff at the pet store. Also, my order arrived in only three days from when I submitted my paypal payment (it would have been two days if not for our latest blizzard). Both times I have ordered, Richard has responded in less than 12 hours to get my confirm my order and get my exact total for me to send paypal payment. I will definitely continue to order from them!
Like I said, I know this is an older thread, but thought it might be useful to newer members or older members looking for suggestions

I started this post, and with the recommendations given I too went with and are still with Herman Bros. I buy the KGfinch and EM Soak. The later which I soak and add freezedried crushed crickets and flies, F Vite and avian Trio. Works well for me.

This seed was recommended to me from a friend. She has zebras, javas, and a few other finches and she says her finches eat it up really fast.

http://www.epetpals.com/volkman-bird-food/

Perfex wrote: I started this post, and with the recommendations given I too went with and are still with Herman Bros. I buy the KGfinch and EM Soak. The later which I soak and add freezedried crushed crickets and flies, F Vite and avian Trio. Works well for me.

Michelle

I feed Herman's EM Finch and it seems to do very well for my birds. The nice thing is that I am close enough that Richard delivers to our local bird fair. I usually buy #100 at a time as I don't have to worry about any of the shipping cost.

Plus, Richard is a great guy and has been in the business for a very long time. When all the "old timers" recommend him, I don't even waste my time looking elsewhere.

Rob