List of what they can eat

vgonzalez · Post by **vgonzalez** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:47 am

Morning,

Is there a list that someone can direct me to that would include the various foods (veggies, fruits, etc.) that are safe to feed finches?

thanks!

Vivi

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:58 am

Here ya go...

http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php

vgonzalez · Post by **vgonzalez** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:01 am

My finches thank you!

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:23 am

a few things that aren't listed: mango, pomegranate, roasted squash guts, zuccini. What I do is when I'm preparing a meal I look at what I'm cooking and if I'm using fruits or veggies I check the unsafe foods list, if they're not listed I finely chop/mash a little bit for them and give it to them. Mine really really love roasted sweet potato, if you poke one with a fork then stick it in the oven at 350 for 1/2 hour to an hour depending on size, basically you want it nice and soft, then let it cool enough that you can peel it (you should be able to use your fingers to slide the skin off) then just give them a little bit of it, it's nice and mushy and full of good vitamins for them. They're also big cheddar cheese fans

If you're not sure then post on here and ask about a certain food, maybe one of us have tried it, and if you're the first, maybe you'll discover a new exciting food for us!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:27 am

My finches absolutely LOVE cucumber. Especially my star finches, they eat almost the entire thing!

I didn't used to give it to them, and another guy I was talking to told me to try it with them, I did and am glad that I did cause they love it!

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:09 am

Oh! I can't believe I forgot cucumber, my guys love it too! Actually if you make Greek salad, minus the dressing they love it, I left the feta (and olives, blech) out of mine, but they love cheddar. Tonight they're going to be getting cauliflower, zuccini, parsnip and maybe some sweet potato and squash, everything cooked and mushed up, of course! They also like baby food, I've only tried the mixed veggie type with mine, but the next time I get baby food for my crabs they'll be trying some too

plantsandbirds · Post by **plantsandbirds** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:45 am

I'm going to try the cucumber, baby food and the cheddar cheese! Great suggestions.

I have sprouted some millet and put it in the cage in a little bowl and they love that!

My silly parakeets don't care for the interesting food, although my male parakeet Tansy likes celery leaves and chard leaves. His mate Buttercup is afraid of "new food".

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:49 pm

lol my finches were afraid of new food until they moved in together, then they got brave. My first finch Alfred was afraid of the millet branch, he'd sit on the floor of the cage until you removed it. I'd keep trying the 'keets with new foods, Buttercup might get curious about what Tansy's eating and try some herself!
How did you sprout the millet? I've been thinking of sprouting some seeds for them, but I've got a black thumb of death when it comes to plants lol.

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:58 pm

http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/sprouting_seeds.php

plantsandbirds · Post by **plantsandbirds** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:24 pm

I'm going to go look at the seed sprouting information. I rememberd when I was in kindergarten (all of forty years ago

) when we grew lima beans in on a moist terry cloth towel on a plate.

This is what I did - although under strong grow lights. It only took a few days and I checked and checked to make sure the little sprouts were healthy with no mold.

Now I'm going to go to the finchinfo page to see how to do it the correct way!

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:01 pm

There are many different methods for soaking seed and as long as the result is free of mold and other contaminants, you're doing a good job. The method I chose to write up on my site just seemed like the most reliable way to prevent contamination (and was the method of choice in several avian medical texts which commented on the subject), and actually sounds pretty similar to your lima bean experience.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:19 pm

has anyone tried salad cress! mine seem to eat the stuff that it grows on also

ken

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_cress

Redtom · Post by **Redtom** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:03 pm

I gave my finches some lettuce today and they just went nuts over it. I am just now learning about the different fruits and veggies that they like to eat. I am sure it will be fun to watch them try and eat new food.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:59 am

Yes, they do enjoy their lettuce. Just make sure to feed them the green leaf or romaine lettuce. Iceberg is pure junk.

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 11:17 am

my guys love spring/mesculun mix, I pick out a couple different types of leaf and clip them to the cage and they go bonkers, jumping on eachother and hanging off the bars to get at them lol.