FINCHforum

Hi all!
I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the newbie section. I'm preparing for the arrival of my first pair of societies and am struggling with what to feed. I've done oodles of research, so I understand the various supplements and fresh foods. What I'm struggling with is the "core" diet. I have been advised against pellets, but don't really know the justification for that line of thinking. So, I have basically settled on feeding seed (along with all the other foods they need), but am really struggling with exactly what kind. I would love answers to the following questions

-Can someone explain to me to the pros and cons of fortified vs unfortified seed? I am planning to provide F-vite and fresh foods either way.

-Do you have to transition them to a new seed mix like you would do with a dog or cat? Should I purchase whatever seed they currently get and then transition them to whatever I decide?

-I live in a small town so the fortified seeds I have access to are Kaytee Fiesta, Kaytee Forti-diet, Ecotrition and Higgins Vitaseed. Are any of these good options? If I go the unfortified route, I plan to order Special Finch Mix from Lady Gouldian. Any feedback on this? I would like to avoid shipping charges, but this looks like online ordering is my only option for unfortified seed.

-I'm curious to know how much seed a typical pair of societies will go through. I know this is highly individual, but how fast do you find that your finches go through a bag (2# or otherwise)? I'm trying to determine an approximate cost per day/month for these different options.

THANKS!!

I think seed mixes are fairly consistent. Many finches refuse pellets so they'll starve, rather than eat a new food. Also, the seeds give them the stimulation the need since they are caged and not flying free. I used Ecotrition and Kaytee, but my finches always left any pellets or seeds that were black and small, like poppy seed etc. If you are getting your Society's from a breeder, ask them what they are eating. You don't have to transition their seed mix, but it would lower their stress to eat familiar food at first. Now, I order regular finch seed mix and picked the seeds I learned my finches like to eat. Now, there is very little waste, but at first I tried various finch seed mixes to see what was left over etc. Although, keep in mind, they eat some seeds seasonally and not all year, so I monitored the seed choices for about a year. That said, you really could feed any seed mix for finches as long as you are offering the veggies and eggfood and cuttle bone etc.

I am having a lot of waste as well and I am feeding foster and smith finch mix and honestly my guys pick out just the canary seed and leave everything else. I had ordered some things from Lady Gouldian and got a free sample of the resting mix and my guys went ape over it and ate everything in the mix. But Is there somewhere else that might have a similar mix to LG's? I cannot pay $30 shipping for such a small amount of seed. Seriously it was more for the shipping than the actual amount of seed I was going to order.

finchmix22
So there is not really an advantage for the fortified seed it sounds like. I will have to figure out what the most cost effective approach. The seed mixes at the pet store (fortified) are so expensive, but if I order unfortified (less waste) I will probably pay more for shipping.

Does anyone have an idea how long a 2lb bag of seed typically lasts for just 2-3 finches?

Thanks!

sundancekid
Not long. Think of giving each finch a tablespoon of seed twice a day. That goes fast. I buy the seed in bulk from Herman Brothers and put it into plastic containers and put in the freezer. Then, take one out at a time until it's time to order again. A 2 lb bag is about $12, which is $6 per pound. I get 100 lbs for 85, including shipping. That comes to 0.85 cents a pound! Pretty good price.

Where do all the white moths come from. Any way to keep them away?

Put the seed in the freezer for a couple days to kill moths.

Seed is very expensive in the USA. I pay R45 for 5 kg of Finch Mix. That is about 4.10$ for 11 pounds.