FINCHforum

Can you guys tell me what a good brand of basic seed and pellets to give Zebras/Spice/Cordons? I'm currently giving something from the pet store (don't have the bags to give you the brand right now as the food has all been transferred into air-tight containers). I'm on a bit of a fixed income, so I need something affordable (but not bottom of barrel cheap... I want quality). My birds are not for breeding or for show, so I don't need top of the line food for colorful plumage, etc. But I do want nutritious food to keep them at optimal health. Would like to be able to pick it up in a store if possible (so is accessible at moments notice if I run out), but it can be internet-ordered if need be.

ps- I will be supplementing with fresh foods, just want to be sure I am getting the seeds/pellets correct.

Thanks

Any time you have to order online, shipping can get expensive for seeds because of the weight. There are good pellets out there, Roudybush, Mazuri, Zupreem--I'd go for one that you can find locally if possible. Just don't bother with the ones that have little colored bits in them. As for seed, again it depends on what you could find locally. Otherwise, perhaps some of our members who are in your general area can point you to local seed sources or online ones that aren't so far away that shipping doubles the prices.

Thanks Sally! I was getting non-colored seeds then my last bag I got lazy and picked something up at the grocery store that had colored seeds in it (a minor sprinkling, it's not all colored...but still prob not good). The coloring looks artificial, but I didn't realize that until I got home with the bag. Switching back to the natural ones. Wasn't sure if there was differing qualities of seed out there, but will def get them off this colored stuff.

Pet Super Market usually carries Higgins seed for finches along with Higgins snack attack egg food and millet, also Higgins mineral mix. Their products seem to be very good.

I forgot to mention, if you don't want any colored seeds, Petco carries Healthy Select parakeet seed and probably finch seed too without any colored seeds. It has lots of herbs and is a very good seed mix too. They would probably like a mix of dried greens that you can get at a pet store.

Do your finches actually eat the pellets? I never had any luck getting any of my finches or waxbills to eat the pellets in the seed mix. Because of that I now feed seed only.

I have been giving (except for the 1 bag of grocery store seed) non-colored seed (can't remember brand), plus Zupreem fruit pellets, and Higgins leafy greens treats... all bought at Pet Supermarket. They seem to really like all of those. They seem to especially like the fruit pellets...A LOT. My Zebra hen that passed used to sit in the pellet dish all the time and while the others went to the seed cup first thing in the morning, she headed for the pellet cup.

I tried Snack Attack egg protein and mineral grit and neither went over well, so I quit with those.

I've been introducing fresh items... crushed hardboiled egg, broccoli, celery greens. Spinach coming this week. Quarantine guys won't touch the egg, but seem willing to try the broccoli. My others, well, what the Zebra likes, the Cordon's don't; what the Cordon's like, the Zebra doesn't. Guess I'll just hafta keep the fresh stuff on a rotating variety to keep them all pleased.

I mix my own seed mixes and also use Higgins for y hookbills, I use their egg food as well and also use Roudybush nibble size high energy breeder pellets for all my birds.

if you choose not to use pellets and house your birds indoors they will need a vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement...make sure it contains D3. I like AviTech's AviVita Gold, it is very complete, in a powdered form that can easily be added to soft foods...like I pictured or to grated boiled egg food...add as directed on the container. You can find it and other supplies at glamgouldians.com