Celery?

[Celeris]

Do you feed finches celery stalks? Or the greens? Got myself a bag of celery to munch on this week and want to share with my boys, but am not sure which part of the celery to give them! So far, I've discovered that they adore spinach and enjoy broccoli florets, but want nothing to do with the stalks. Thinking celery greens would go over well, but want to be sure it's alright for 'em?

Also, I assume that, with carrots, you use a peeler to cut shreds for the little guys? Can't imagine them chowing down on whole carrots!

Gotta say, finding out these guys can (and should) have fresh foods is proving to be healthier for me, too! Gives me someone to share fruits and veggies with, since the husband won't eat his greens!

[Barbara]

I give mine just the leaves they actually haven't touched them but one day they won't touch it and the next time they love it ,after about six tries they today they love there cucumber,I take a grater and grate there carrot haven't seen them eat any yet they are like trying to get a child to eat there vegies favorite is lettuce and there egg ohhh and they do like there sprouted seed too

[Celeris]

Barbara

Thank you! I assume you cut the leaves into more finch sized pieces? I've cut up the spinach and broccoli both, so they don't have to wrestle with it. But kinda wonder if it'd be an activity for them, as well as food, if I gave them bigger pieces. Cucumber seems to be a recurring food I hear mentioned--just can't imagine myself using that much cucumber, even with the birds sharing it! Maybe, though...

Have you tried tomato? That's another one mentioned that's, apparently, okay for finches. (On the Finch Info website.) Nobody seems to mention how their finches like it, though.

I'm thinking about trying the egg food recipe on the Finch Info website. See how the guys like it. I'm enjoying preparing "fancy" meals for the little fellas!

[Sally]

Most finches take their time trying out new foods, you just have to keep offering them. Plus, they are just little little kids, some will love carrots and others won't touch them. Lots of veggies are accepted if you chop them into little bits, while others don't need it. Some people chop romaine, others offer large pieces, which their birds nibble at.

Cucumber is loved by most birds. Even though it isn't supposed to be very nutritious, I offer it because they love it. Cut off round slices (peel still on), and they will eat all the center and leave green rings! I've never tried tomato, wonder if it would be messy.

[lovezebs]

Celeris

None of my kids (of any species ) have enjoyed celery so far. Have never tried tomatoes, can't imagine any birds liking tomatoes for some reason.

Kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, beet greens, broccoli, cucumber slices, grated carrot, red swiss chard, baby spring greens mix, apple, orange slices, sliced grapes, melons, sliced blueberries, banana ,corn on the cob....

There are many choices, that can be offered to the feathered kids.

Check out the pictures below.

[mohum]

If you can push the stalks through the cage bars near a perch, they may begin to peck at them. Mine love celery,lettuce and broccoli served like this.

[Barbara]

Elana love your pictures with them eating up your great salads.I have learned that one day they like something another day or week they don't
Celeris I do currently my stuff up but some pieces or bigger and George my society love to play with bigger pieces he put them in his water takes it out in/out/in/out then he eats eat ( may-be he thinks I don't wash it good enough) mine never eat tomatoes,never seen them eat much fruit have tried many but no luck so far I always just give them water I have in the house I love fruit and salads so always have something and in a pinch frozen.I would have to say each bird is different but my George usually is the first for anything new if he goes the others follow I guess he is boss. Have fun with it

[Celeris]

Sally

Yeah, the tomatoes struck me as an... odd idea. Hence the reason I asked. Perhaps I'll have to experiment next time I have tomatoes on hand and report back.

@lovezebs

That's a pretty gourmet salad! Are those just freeze dried mealworms mixed in there? Used to feed those to my hedgehogs, didn't realize I could give 'em to my finches, also!

@mohum

Oooo, thank you for that recommendation! I will try that with my celery and next time I give 'em broccoli.

@Barbara

Well, the celery greens were a hit with the societies, who gobbled it right up! (Faster than I've seen them eat the spinach, even!) As for the zebras, they were just pleased I'd given them new nesting material! Little goobers.

[lovezebs]

Celeris

Yes, those are mealworms.
Some species refuse them, but others go nuts for them.

[Celeris]

lovezebs

In your experience, do societies and zebras enjoy mealworms? I don't notice any in your photos there.

[lovezebs]

Celeris

You know it's really funny with the mealworms.

Originally I didn't offer these guys live mealworms . Then when I added Parrotfinches to the equation, I began offering mealworms. Initially the Zebras and Socies sidestepped around them, going eeue eeuew. Then they saw the PF's going after them like there was no tomorrow, and you guessed it, I ended up with everyone eating them. There's nothing like a mealworm tug of war.

If your birds don't take to live mealworms, you can buy the freeze dried ones, crush them, and toss them into your hard boiled eggs, along with crumbled Spray Millet. Everyone loves that

[Celeris]

lovezebs

Thank you! I will definitely have to give it a try, then! My societies have been extremely open to new food so far, with my zebras tending to be a bit more picky. I suppose if they don't like it, I can add it to the egg food. And, failing that, the neighborhood robins would surely love an easy snack!

[Louys]

My Gouldians love dandelion.... The wild ones are just coming out.... Can't keep up
They don't seem to like celery. tried many times.

[Celeris]

Boy, were you guys right about the cucumbers! Decided to start getting cucumber for myself to eat for when I get the munchies. Figured it's better than eating myself silly on potato chips. Shared some with the boys and, after the obligatory "what is this thing that's invaded our cage" stage, they really chowed down! Glad to have further excuses to keep buying veggies!

[Barbara]

I tried tomatoes none of my birds will touch it but with the hot weather I tried watermelon and they love it they pretty much like there veges better then fruit ,still put grapes,strawberries,blueberries,cherries,apples won't touch but will nibble on oranges,I always have fruit with veges in house so they always get lots of tries. I would say romane,cutes,corn,broccoli, peas,limabeans,green beans,eggs sprouted or soaked seed are there fav.they hate me when I switch it up