FINCHforum

I was wondering if there is any difference between wild finch seed and regular finch seed. Can I feed wild finch seed to my finches? Is it poorer quality? I live in an area where I cannot purchase seed. I have to mail order it. Sometimes I see wild seed. Also on Amazon I see a brand that has great ingredients and often wondered about this. Thanks!

Usually, the biggest difference is the quality. Seed meant for wild birds may have more 'filler' in it, and it also may be dustier. But if you can't get anything else, then I would get the best wild mix you can find, and be sure and supplement their diet with veggies, mineral mix, eggfood, and possibly even some vitamins. You also have to consider that the wild mix may have a lot of waste if your birds won't eat all the seeds.

Thanks! I don't like the "dustier" part. I do supplement with a lot of greens, eggs, mineral mix. I'll just do it if it's an emergency but always wondered about this. Two of my zebra finches will be 10 years old in February so I don't want to do anything to shorten their lives.

I agree with Sally. Some brands may be OK . Most have so much dust and hulls or unpopular seeds that you waste so much. You may end up spending more than you would on better quality clean seed.

Corkysgirl wrote: Two of my zebra finches will be 10 years old in February so I don't want to do anything to shorten their lives.

I'd say keep doing whatever you've been doing! I don't know about Zebras in particular, but ten years is longer than most finches' average life span.

I "think" wild finch seed is irradiated to prevent it from germinating. This could reduce the nutrient value. You could not benefit from soaked or spouted seed using the wild bird seed because it will not sprout.

I've apparently had a very different experience from others with wild finch seed. I actually use it because it has LESS wastage then the pet finch mixes in the pet stores. I find the pet store mixes near me to be full of nyjer/thistle that my guys don't touch. I don't find it to be any dustier then anything else. It's cheaper then the little bags of pet finch food. As for it not sprouting all I can say is my back yard disagrees with that I personally buy it and mix it with the pet store finch mixes to get the best of both worlds. I suspect that it all is a matter of brands and the exact mix. Look around and see what you can find. If you find a brand you think may be good you could always email the manufacture and ask questions. Supplementing with a wide variety of greens and such should help balance out anything missing in your seed mix.

Thanks everyone! Last winter I had to purchase one bag. I chose Audubon bird seed because I thought it would be the best of the choices that I had. It seemed okay and they did okay with it. I live 75 miles from a Pet Smart/Petco...mall, etc.. There is virtually no seed near by. The Audubon seed was 35 miles away at a feed store that usually has outdated seed. (I complained) I usually mail order seed from NH bird supply...which I like. But sometimes timing doesn't work and shipping is a lot. I also buy through Amazon. I AM blessed my male and female have lived so long. My girl is getting tired though. Not sure she'll make it another winter. But my black face has the energy of a hatchling. His baby making days are kaput! You can't tell him that though! He's with his young bride sitting on eggs that never will hatch. Too bad! He's beautiful!

Sitting Duck wrote: I "think" wild finch seed is irradiated to prevent it from germinating. This could reduce the nutrient value. You could not benefit from soaked or spouted seed using the wild bird seed because it will not sprout.

I've never had any trouble sprouting wild bird seed. As far as I know the only seed they make unable to sprout is the thistle seed.

There used to be a wild bird store in this area, and they did carry a seed mix that had been treated so it would not sprout. It was for those who didn't want all those odd plants popping up in their yards. But it was more expensive than their regular mix, which would sprout.

I agree with Debbie, 10 years is a long life, you must have provided good care.

I generally prepare approx 30 kg seed mix for 4-5 months. I purchase wild seeds as follows: grass seed 20 kg, canary 1.5 kg, nyjer 1.5 kg, other several of 1 kg each. I clean them properly with a blower and manual inspection. It takes 3-4 hours to clean them properly. Then, they are left in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours. Then I mix 1 kg of fried and crushed wheat. Finally, I mix 4-5 kg of commercial finch mixes from different manufacturers (remember, finch mixes greatly vary form one manufacturer to other). I also add 1 kg of dried fruits and 1 kg of pellets in this mix. My finches love this mix very much. Further, it is much cheaper than the commercial bags.

Bhatta
Wow!!! That's amazing! Your birds must be very happy and healthy .

I've been really blessed! I dread the day I lose them. I've had a lot of finches born, come and go to new homes, but these two are my first and I really love them! Thank for all your help!

I tried to sprout wild bird seed and it did not take!