Keeping picked vegetation fresh in aviary for the day

[Pinzer2]

Hello all, I have a pair of goldfinches for just over a year now. Have never run into health issues using a regimen to prevent mites and used a wormer just in case once - Anyhow I know that goldfinches are susceptible to cocciodosis which I have read like humidity and was wondering if I might be pressing my luck with using flower water tubes.... I typically pick bolted basil, chicory leaves, thistle heads, dandelion heads, and sow thistle heads from my bird garden; clipping them to the aviary with a binder clip and put the stems in flower water tubes, which prevents them from wilting for the day. Am I pressing my luck using flower water tubes?

[Babs _Owner]

Pinzer2

Sounds like they get a good diet. A quick soak in pure white vinegar, and a rinse with hot water will detach bugs.

Or a day in the freezer will not kill the seed, but will kill the bugs.

[wildbird]

What bugs? I don't see anything wrong with using water tubes to keep the greens fresh. Seems like a good idea to me.

[Pinzer2]

Thanks Babs, Soaking in vinegar is probably a good way to keep pathogens at bay, but I only rinse the vegetation in water and not at all if aphids are in play (with goldfinches needing some extra protein - very picky my two “Mary” and “Pippin” with no interest in mealworms or crickets but they readily take aphids). I do use a cap of apple cider vinegar per half liter of water which works nicely to keep daily water clear... had not heard about pre-soaking vegetation in vinegar