Feed Concerns and Advice

[Moon]

I feed my birds a mix of greens, seed, and sometimes include 'flavored' seed as a treat. But, my birds seem healthier with the wild bird seed over the pet variety. Should I drop the flavored type?

[paul-inAZ]

What is the perceived benefit of 'flavored' seed?

[Sally]

By flavored seed, do you mean pellets? Some do include pellets as part of the diet for their birds, I don't bother with them.

[debbie276]

I don't feed any seed mix that has those tiny little pellets or any type of coloring.

[Moon]

I'll get the name brands today when I go to purchase more. I'm the kind of person that hunts down the best feed I can for them. Because I am in the country I also plant the seed since I know fresh is better, but planting season is about done.

The bag of seed I first bought was 'orange' flavored. They ate twice as much of that compared to the wild bird seed, so I switched. It's the same brand the breeders gave them in both cases.

I've also introduced grit, dried mealworms, and other greens from my garden. I've included windfallen fruits a neighbor gives me after watching the wild finch go after them.

I won't give them pellets. Crumbled feed, maybe. But the only pellets I have are for chickens. Though, whats the opinion on milo? I don't see any mix with it.

As for the benefits of flavored seed, I have no idea. It's what they ate when I purchased them.

Any animal needs their diet changed slowly do reduce stress, yes? I change out water and feed twice a day. Seeds in the morning, everything else in afternoon.

[cindy]

poultry feed some use, I use either Roudybush or zupreem on my finches, other brands are Kaytee (not a fan of kaytee), Prettybird, Lafebers (good size and the birds like this one)

Colored or scented or flavored seed the ingredients/vitamins are coated on the hull of the skin, they hull the seed to eat it and frankly it is a waste of money.There is no way to monitor if they benefit from the vitamin coating on the hull.

Some see companies use an orange oil spray, does not benefit the birds.

If not using pellets or giving non medicated game crumble to your birds try a powdered vitamin, mineral supplement you mix in the water (careful if the birds are outside and it is hot, it can go off or get rancid fast) or you can add it to the soft foods...AviTech makes a line of pretty complete vitamins and minerals.... AviVita Gold or AviVita Plus are good.