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HI. I am new to Gouldian Finches. I am stocking up my supplies and am sort of stuck at which one of the above I need for 'what if' circumstances. Here's what I have thus far:
Sparkle, Hearty Bird, Feather Fast, Worm Away, SCATT, Calcium Plus, Powder Kelp, Pestex, Bee Pollen, Trace Minerals, F-Vite.

I am not sure what the difference is between Thrive/Vitalize and NV Powder. I saw on the Morning Bird interaction spreadsheet that Thrive and Vitalize should not be used together because of similiar ingrediants. Alot of people use NV Powder. I wanted to know if some could unmystify the differences in all three.

Also, what is the differentce between KD and Sparkle ingredient wise? I know Sparkle is a daily use product. KD seems to be a weekly product. What is the difference and do I need both.

Sorry this is so long. Any info you can provide is much appreciated.

Read this thread (Link) Don't believe all the stuff you read about gouldians...you don't need all this stuff.Buy quality foodstuffs instead.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... 1&start=15

poohbear wrote:Read this thread (Link) Don't believe all the stuff you read about gouldians...you don't need all this stuff.Buy quality foodstuffs instead.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... 1&start=15

Well said Paul. I was trying to think of a nice way to say most of that stuff is garbage... but you did a fantastic job and now I dont have to.

Vaughn19992000 wrote:HI. I am new to Gouldian Finches. I am stocking up my supplies and am sort of stuck at which one of the above I need for 'what if' circumstances. Here's what I have thus far:
Sparkle, Hearty Bird, Feather Fast, Worm Away, SCATT, Calcium Plus, Powder Kelp, Pestex, Bee Pollen, Trace Minerals, F-Vite.

I am not sure what the difference is between Thrive/Vitalize and NV Powder. I saw on the Morning Bird interaction spreadsheet that Thrive and Vitalize should not be used together because of similiar ingrediants. Alot of people use NV Powder. I wanted to know if some could unmystify the differences in all three.

Also, what is the differentce between KD and Sparkle ingredient wise? I know Sparkle is a daily use product. KD seems to be a weekly product. What is the difference and do I need both.

Sorry this is so long. Any info you can provide is much appreciated.

Well it is not all garbage. I like to use the Sparkle in my water now and then and I use the KD water cleanser about once a week.
You will definately need the powdered kelp and I like the F-Vite because it replaces crushed shells and cuttlebone. You will need some type of air sac mite medication. I like the S76 as they can bathe in it and it will kill mites on their feathers and it also kills the worms. I would not use the Sparkle every day. Nothing is better than nice, clean fresh water.

I would just not get carried away with too many supplements.

Vaughn19992000 wrote:HI. I am new to Gouldian Finches. I am stocking up my supplies and am sort of stuck at which one of the above I need for 'what if' circumstances. Here's what I have thus far:
Sparkle, Hearty Bird, Feather Fast, Worm Away, SCATT, Calcium Plus, Powder Kelp, Pestex, Bee Pollen, Trace Minerals, F-Vite.

I am not sure what the difference is between Thrive/Vitalize and NV Powder. I saw on the Morning Bird interaction spreadsheet that Thrive and Vitalize should not be used together because of similiar ingrediants. Alot of people use NV Powder. I wanted to know if some could unmystify the differences in all three.

Also, what is the differentce between KD and Sparkle ingredient wise? I know Sparkle is a daily use product. KD seems to be a weekly product. What is the difference and do I need both.

Sorry this is so long. Any info you can provide is much appreciated.

Thrive is a formula specifically for sick birds to boost energy when it's a life and death situation. It's one of those things that's wasted if you can't/won't crop needle it into the bird because usually if a bird is deathly ill the last thing it's preoccupied with is eating/drinking.
Vitalize is basically just a sugar - like a stripped version of gatorade, meant to be used during stressful times like shipping, showing, or moving, etc.

So - Thrive is SICK BIRDS.
Vitalize - STRESSFUL SITUATIONS.

This is where they are different.

I don't know enough about the Rob Marshall products to know what's what or what it does blahblah.
Powdered Kelp is essential.
The impression I get about KD is that it's a pH lower-er.
So, I feel like it's probably similar in form and function to Vetafarm's Sweetwater and perhaps not chemically or usage-wise the same as Sparkle.
Sparkle is a bleach treatment alternative for keeping down bacterial/fungal/algae growth in water - whether it's water in drinkers or water used for sprouts, etc. I don't consider it a daily use item.
It's great if you're leaving for the weekend to keep the water fresh, which I normally change daily.
Otherwise, I would use it twice weekly.
The regimen Mike Fidler recommends is Sweet Water for two days, fresh water, Sparkle for two days, Fresh water for two days.

The pH treatment will only be effective if you KNOW the pH of your tap ahead of time to know how much to use to get the pH lowered to the desirable rate, which can usually reverse watery droppings in some birds.
A good diet will eliminate the need for Hearty Bird, but I have used Feather Fast and I do like it.
Calcium Plus is great to have on hand for hens that may become egg bound or come with calcium deficiencies, but it might be better to invest in crushed egg shells (Twin Beaks Aviary) and use a soft food that is fortified with Vitamin D3 to provide that element.

In my opinion - the necessary "kit" would include:

Powdered Kelp
SCATT or Iverlux
Calcium Plus + Egg Shells
A good quality egg food (Orlux Gold Patee or Mike Fidler's Complete Soft Food)
A good quality sprouting mix or seed blend that can be used to sprout
A quality finch seed (I personally prefer the Mike Fidler Gouldian Pro blends available from www.fabulousfinch.com)

The rest is sort of "optional" and will depend on the level of involvement you put in.

Now that 'kit' is sensible...seed for soaking...eggshells,anti mite formula etc...Not the bottle after bottle of expensive not needed additives.

Tiffany, thank you for the advice. I already have the MF soft food, have Gould Pro seeds which were shipped on Monday as well as the ABBA Sprout mix so it looks like I am set!