Hi folks, was wondering if people could give me some tips on the food they're using for your birds. I have a regular domestic canary and while he still sings and behaves normally, he has gotten ridiculously picky with his food, selecting just a fraction of what's being offered to consume. I forget who's seed I started with and when he started doing it I switched to Dr Harveys (or something like that) and he loved it but is now doing it again. I need to purchase some more very soon and I figured I'd ask what others like before making my buy online.
Thank you.
Picky Canary
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- Proven
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- Location: Northwest Indiana
Re: Picky Canary
My birds eat what I give them, and don't get more food until the dish is emptied.
~Dylan
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- Sisal Slave
- Posts: 564
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 7:24 am
- Location: Campbellsville, KY
Re: Picky Canary
I don't know if your bird is being picky, or just eating what he wants when he wants to eat.
I just offer different foods and let the birds choose.
---water
---seed
---chopped up boiled egg, including the shell
---greens (kale, usually)
---mineral mix like Abba Mineral Mix
I keep each seed variety in separate dishes. Canary seed, rape seed, sunflower chips, white millet.
It is amazing to me that they choose different amounts of each item, seasonally. Right now they are eating a lot of sunflower chips and not much egg.
I just offer different foods and let the birds choose.
---water
---seed
---chopped up boiled egg, including the shell
---greens (kale, usually)
---mineral mix like Abba Mineral Mix
I keep each seed variety in separate dishes. Canary seed, rape seed, sunflower chips, white millet.
It is amazing to me that they choose different amounts of each item, seasonally. Right now they are eating a lot of sunflower chips and not much egg.
Dave
Campbellsville, Kentucky, USA
Canaries
Campbellsville, Kentucky, USA
Canaries
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 18214
- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: Picky Canary
DoggyStyleGifts
I use a mixture of Finch/Canary and some Budgie seed mixes for all of ny birds, without any issues.
I also offer spray millet, chopped fresh greens and veggies, some fruit, my own homemade egg food, and some wild seeds when available (which I collect myself).
Some birds tend to get a little spoiled, picking out only the seeds that they like best.
I use a mixture of Finch/Canary and some Budgie seed mixes for all of ny birds, without any issues.
I also offer spray millet, chopped fresh greens and veggies, some fruit, my own homemade egg food, and some wild seeds when available (which I collect myself).
Some birds tend to get a little spoiled, picking out only the seeds that they like best.
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
- Moon
- Fledgeling
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- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2016 2:01 pm
Re: Picky Canary
Sorry, forgot to mention bird types. I have zebra finch and a human imprint house sparrow. I use finch feed for wild birds, I also offer crushed sunflower seeds, egg, grain millet, breads, peas, corn, green beans, fresh sprouts of grass, alfalfa, various approved fruits. Thinly diced apple and sometimes apple sauce. Pear or other berries slightly squished.
I avoid anything with flavors or dyes. I like the abudon wild blend as a supplement feed if my premium blend isn't available. I also provide a small dish of sand grit, nesting materials, forage toys, and dried herb bundles of mint.
I avoid anything with flavors or dyes. I like the abudon wild blend as a supplement feed if my premium blend isn't available. I also provide a small dish of sand grit, nesting materials, forage toys, and dried herb bundles of mint.
New Mexico
1 female lovebird : Harley Quinn
1 male lovebird : Nightwing
3 Bantams : Ollie, Nibel, and Obi
2 Starlings : Inee and Messy
1 House Sparrow : Bat-Chat
1 Blind Pigeon : Blinky
1 female lovebird : Harley Quinn
1 male lovebird : Nightwing
3 Bantams : Ollie, Nibel, and Obi
2 Starlings : Inee and Messy
1 House Sparrow : Bat-Chat
1 Blind Pigeon : Blinky
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
- Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
Re: Picky Canary
Moon
Sounds like your birds have a good diet.
I would make sure that they have a Calcium source available at all times as well, such as crushed egg shells, cuttle bone, and fine oyster shell grit.
My guys will eat:
Kale, cucumber, spinach, romaine, corn on the cob (or frozen and warmed up), grated carrots, beet greens, red swiss Chard, baby spring greens, broccoli, chopped sweet peppers, parsley, grated raw beet, etc.
For fruits (mind you, not all birds enjoy fruit, but some do...)
Apples, mandarines (cut in half), orange ( cut in half), banana, melons, pears, some berries when in season, chopped red grapes.
Here is one of their salads, and some of the kids enjoying
.
Sounds like your birds have a good diet.
I would make sure that they have a Calcium source available at all times as well, such as crushed egg shells, cuttle bone, and fine oyster shell grit.
My guys will eat:
Kale, cucumber, spinach, romaine, corn on the cob (or frozen and warmed up), grated carrots, beet greens, red swiss Chard, baby spring greens, broccoli, chopped sweet peppers, parsley, grated raw beet, etc.
For fruits (mind you, not all birds enjoy fruit, but some do...)
Apples, mandarines (cut in half), orange ( cut in half), banana, melons, pears, some berries when in season, chopped red grapes.
Here is one of their salads, and some of the kids enjoying

~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
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- Brooding
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Re: Picky Canary
My canaries eat a range of seed an they just eat the seeds they like. They also get egg food which they love and for greens I give them peas in a pod, silver beet and chickweed and they love pansies too.
~Flight Feathers Bird Home~
14 Zebra Finches, 4 Budgies, 3 Cockatiels, 2 Canaries, 7 Chinese quail, 3 Bengalese Finches, 1 Turquoise Parrot, 1 Goldfinch
Now a member of the NZFBA!
http://www.thepictaram.club/instagram/f ... thersbirds
14 Zebra Finches, 4 Budgies, 3 Cockatiels, 2 Canaries, 7 Chinese quail, 3 Bengalese Finches, 1 Turquoise Parrot, 1 Goldfinch
Now a member of the NZFBA!
http://www.thepictaram.club/instagram/f ... thersbirds