FINCHforum

Hi, for those of you who keep gouldians in a mixed aviary, how do you ensure your gouldians get adequate iodine in their diet? If you add the iodine to drinking water, are there concerns about the non-gouldian birds ingesting the iodine?
Thanks

vienneparis --- I use kelp.

Kelp is a great natural source of iodine. I have it in powder and more of a ground-up chunky form.

I sprinkle a small amount over their food and have it as a stand-alone so they can have it a-la-carte if the need arises.

I believe that birds are naturally attracted (or conversely, have aversions) to foods depending upon their nutritional needs.
So for most things, I offer it where they can take it or leave it. I have F-vite in one little cup, kelp in another, herb salad in another and so on.

The only things that go in the water are things they absolutely need, like multivitamin, electrolytes, D3 (indoor birds) and a bit of extra calcium during egg laying and breeding.

So with this approach, you can serve it in a mixed species setting without trouble, since the birds who need it will eat it and those who don't won't.

Nutrients & Their Sources
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php

Feeding hard boiled egg will give them iodine along with many other nutrients.

I also use kelp granules. Keep it in a dish and they eat it as they need it. Sometimes they eat alot of it, sometimes they ignore it completely.

http://glamgouldians.com/product-kelp.php

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Sounds like kelp is the way to go in a mixed aviary. I'll try kelp and see if the gouldians will take it

Follow up question: I've seen kelp meal in some garden stores. Can that be fed to gouldians too?

I doubt that the kelp for gardens will be a food grade. I'd rather suggest you try a health store. You need so little that it is worth buying food grade and know your finches are safe.

monotwine, You're absolutely right about not taking chances with my birds. I'm just curious about the difference between powder & meal.