Freeze-dried Bloodworms - Update 12/12

[cindy]

I was kind of wondering the same thing. I picked up a jar of Tera freeze dried bloodworms at the petstore to try.

I did not have my glasses with me at the time but noticed later in reading the back of the jar it says to "keep container away from your face, avoid inhaling the dist and wash hands"...I opted not to use these even though they look like super tiny mini mealies.

Do all freeze dried packages say this? If it was freeze dried would the parasite still exist? It also says it is specially processed and treated for the presence of undesirable organisms found in live bloodworms.

[franny]

I was reading about them on a fish forum, and apparently a lot of people are highly allergic to the bloodworms, that's why the warning. I've used my hands to take a pinch out of the can for my birds, and it hasn't hurt me or the birds yet!

[cindy]

Do you think the Tetra brand it ok?

[franny]

I believe that all of the freeze dried are OK - they have to be kept bacteria free for the fish, too.

Someone else asked about tubifex worms? I'm not sure if they'd be good. I think they come packed densely in small cubes. They are harder to break apart unless crumbled. Maybe OK if mixed in with eggfood. But the thing my finches seem to like about the bloodworms is that they look like worms, so they are easily recognized as food. IMO I doubt the tubifex would hurt the birds, just not sure they'd like them.

[cindy]

I'll try the tetra bloodworms and see if the shaftail will eat them. Their chicks are getting big and louder daily.

[Animal Quackers]

I was reading about them on a fish forum, and apparently a lot of people are highly allergic to the bloodworms, that's why the warning. I've used my hands to take a pinch out of the can for my birds, and it hasn't hurt me or the birds yet!

This is true! The FROZEN bloodworms I feed my fish make me itch like CRAZY! I have not tried the freeze-dried ones...

I think the more "sensitive" you are to mosquito bites, the more sensitive you will be to the frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms.

[cindy]

If i use a little spoon to put them in the dish it should be fine. If it makes people itch can it make birds itch?

[monotwine]

Mmm ok so freeze dried bloodworms should be ok re parasites, but not necessarily frozen bloodworms? I have not even seen freeze dried bloodworms here, only the frozen type.
I also can get frozen Daphnae & Krill.

I was just a bit pensive about parasites on frozen stuff.

[lovemyfinch]

I have been following this thread, and decided to try this. All my birds, incuding the Goudians are eating the freeze dried bloodworms as well as the freeze dried plankton. This way I was able to up the anty on the protein for my shaftails that are feeding.

[cindy]

I tried the freeze dried bloodworms on my little zebra parents, he nibbled at them but likes the egg food better. The Tetra brand seems to be broken pieces, the other brand they had at the store seemed a bit more like whole worms. I wanted to try a small jar at first since the other was a bit more pricey.

My shaftail prefer the mealies in the can or live.

How long do all of you use the worms, until chics are weaned?

[lovemyfinch]

Cindy, I've been using the Nutrafin basic brand, they do look like complete mini worms. I don't start cutting back until the babies have fedged and are starting to eat on their own.

[cindy]

Thanks Janine, I am using the mealies 3 times a day, the shaftails are feathered and should be fledging soon, one is getting a bit bold and peeks out. They still scream for food. I can't wait until they pop out and I get to see the parent feed them out in the open.

I'll cut back to twice a day starting today. The babies seem to do fine if the parents feed them egg food and Miracle meal.

[franny]

Mmm ok so freeze dried bloodworms should be ok re parasites, but not necessarily frozen bloodworms? I have not even seen freeze dried bloodworms here, only the frozen type.
I also can get frozen Daphnae & Krill.

I was just a bit pensive about parasites on frozen stuff.

I found my finches wouldn't touch the frozen stuff - too wet for them I guess. Just like they prefer their eggfood dry, they like worms that look like worms. I think the frozen would also have a great risk of going bad quickly, where as the dried can be left out for days, as long as it's not pooped in.

The freeze dried bloodworms are kept on the shelves with the regular flaked fish food, in most pet stores. I would think they'd be available just about everywhere. Maybe ask your store if they can bring them in. Maybe there's a specific reason they don't.

[monotwine]

Our pet stores don't do variety. I am afraid its a South African thing. I will search though at some of the bigger outlets. Perhaps I may be lucky.

I find at the big stores I may be able to get if I ask. However these places are about an hours drive from me and they don't deliver.

Oh well at least I have learnt from this forum about options and should I come across some worms I can buy them!

Thanks

[L in Ontario]

If I were to buy some 'freeze dried bloodworms' - would this be what is being talked about? Is the pricing for their sizes what I should expect to pay? I noted in the description they are also known as "Red Mosquito Larva" - is that right? Teeny tiny things?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl ... worms175oz