FINCHforum

Could you fine folks tell me where you get your seed? I see several on-line sources, but don't know which one to use. There is no local source for good seed.

Also, is there a feed that is low in rape seed? My zebras seem to eat everything but the rape seeds. A batch of seed I have now placed in the feeder ends up with lots of black seed at the bottom.

Thanks,

Mike

I use Herman Brothers http://www.hermanbros-seed.com/ I don't know about nearer to you.

True rapeseed is not readily eaten by birds, it is bitter. What we call rape is most like Canola--rapeseed that has been bred to not produce erucic acid. Rapeseed, by the way, is in the cabbage family and a flowering field of it is truly gorgeous. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed# ... l_2014.jpg

I feed rapeseed to my Canaries, and it is a traditional seed for them. Over the last few years I've also offered sunflower chips. My birds eat 3x more sunflower chips than rape.

I don't know of any non-canary finches that eat rapeseed. I wonder if others on this forum see finches eat rape?

kcfd55

Hi Mike,

I am fortunate eniugh to have my favorite Pet Store fairly close to me, so I don't have to order food on line. However there are quite a few options available. Check these out and see what appeals to you.....

There is always Amazon.com

http://glamgouldians.com/shop-food.php

https://www.chewy.com/b/food-treats-942 ... lsrc=aw.ds

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/bird-supp ... /5911/8539

https://www.petsolutions.com/C/Pet-Bird ... EQQAvD_BwE

http://www.ourfeatheredfriends.com/

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore

https://www.leesfeed.net/productlist.ht ... ogId=-2089

Good luck.

Dave:

You didn't leave a long response, but it was FULL of information .

Elena:

I've seen several sites, of course, but I can never tell from pictures if the seed is a good quality or not. The seed I have now has perhaps 10% rape, which is useless to me with the current crop of birds I have.
Maybe I will plant them to get the field of "truly gorgeous" flowers as Dave mentioned.

Thank you both,

Mike

kcfd55

I use Herman Brothers as well. You can make your own custom mix and their family is just amazing. I have about 20lbs per month shipped to me. Treat their staff with kindness, and it will be returned. They are wonderful.

I adore them!

I use ladygouldianfinch.com. She is in California. You can get any most any type seed separately and mix them yourself.

Wildbird:

Thank you. I checked their site and it looks interesting. Do they recommend particular mixes? I don't know enough to pick the correct seeds

Thanks,

Mike

I primarily use glamgouldians. She's also terrific at responding to email questions. Her products are quality and super fast shipping. She's out of Michigan.

lovezebs wrote: kcfd55

Hi Mike,

I am fortunate eniugh to have my favorite Pet Store fairly close to me, so I don't have to order food on line. However there are quite a few options available. Check these out and see what appeals to you.....

There is always Amazon.com

http://glamgouldians.com/shop-food.php

https://www.chewy.com/b/food-treats-942 ... lsrc=aw.ds

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/bird-supp ... /5911/8539

https://www.petsolutions.com/C/Pet-Bird ... EQQAvD_BwE

http://www.ourfeatheredfriends.com/

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore

https://www.leesfeed.net/productlist.ht ... ogId=-2089

Good luck.

I buy from shops near me too. I've never bought seed online.

Mike, I believe ladygouldianfinch will recommend a seed mix based on the type of birds that you have, if you ask her.

I feed my finches a parakeet blend as their staple seed. My guys won't eat the rape seed or anything else "special" in the finch blends. So canary reedgrass seed, millet, and a smattering of oat groats. I've found they will start tossing the oat groats if I add too much to the mix. They're fine with it in a treat cup by itself but they don't like it to get in the way of the other seed in the parakeet blend, LOL!