Juvenile Zebs and egg food

[Arama]

I was wondering at what age do I start reducing the amount of egg food I provide to my youngsters. Currently I provide them with fresh egg food 2-3 times daily and they are currently 6.5-7 weeks of age. Do I continue this until they are 12 weeks then put them on the same schedule as their parents? I want to continue with their proper nutrition of course but don't want to give them to much egg food as to hurt their health. I've read on here that to much of some foods can make them ill and I obviously don't want that to happen. Thank you in advance.

Trisha

[Arama]

Thank you so much. They are still in what I believe is the first molt with their male colouring. I love looking at their tiny orange cheek patches forming. I'm so enjoying this journey.

[lovezebs]

Arama

I'd continue with the egg food, most definitely while they are molting.

All of my guys enjoy a helping of my egg food. Once they are adults however, and no longer molting, you can reduce the amounts. You don't want them to get too chubby .

~Elana~

[kyro]

It's best just to reduce egg food when they are eating on their own. Igive egg food to my zebras year round to supplement their seed diet. But I give less to non breeders.

[MiaCarter]

I know some only do egg food seasonally or for youngsters, but I actually feed egg food year round.
It's a bit of a "super food" and it's packed with essential nutrients that they need.

So I let them eat as much as they'd like!
Really, I watch what they eat and I keep an eye on their weight. (Though I have a bird room and they fly free during the day. So my guys may get more exercise than a cage-only bird.)
But nobody seems to go overboard, especially when they have it all the time. It loses its novelty.

In fact, in many cases, you should promote eating more egg food because I know that generally speaking, most pet birds eat significantly more seed than they should (double or more). It depends on who you ask and the species, but a good general rule is that seed should comprise 1/3 of the diet. The other portion is 1/3 proteins and 1/3 fresh foods like veggies.
Again, it varies a bit amongst species, but that's one-third protein, seed and fresh foods is a good general formula; a starting point.
They tend to eat more protein when they're moulting and growing and breeding; they eat less other times of year. Some even do an austerity diet for a couple months per year to mimic times of austerity in the wild and to promote a healthy illusion of those seasonal fluctuations.

There are lots of dietary approaches.
But in all, I don't think you need to necessarily cut them off or reduce the amount as long as they're eating a balanced diet.
I let them eat as much of it as they can consume in 90-120 minutes, then discard the rest. I offer 2x a day, at breakfast and dinner.

[debbie276]

On the Finch Information Center site there is great nutritional information.

Nutritional Requirements:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrition ... ements.php

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

Safe, Toxic, & Unsafe Foods:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php

as well as many other topics, wander around and check out other links of interest to you.
good luck

[Arama]

Good to know, I was just a but worried I was feeding them to much.

[MiaCarter]

I was just re-reading my own post and I wanted to note something important!

I wrote:
I let them eat as much of it as they can consume in 90-120 minutes, then discard the rest. I offer 2x a day, at breakfast and dinner.

I was referring to egg food (not food in general.)
Finches have very fast metabolisms and they should always have access to food! So you wouldn't want to remove the seed and non-perishable foods.

Just wanted to clarify!

[Sheather]

I mix my egg food with Jiffy pancake mix just to dry it out until its more of a crumble. This can then be left out all day and won't expire. I find the birds are much more interested in it dry than damp.