** FINALLY GOT MY GOULDIANS**

[annague]

No problem, Misty, they are eating great -- mostlyhardboiled egg with Mike Fidler's softfood, cornmeal and oil mixed in and all their veggies but they like the ABBA finch mix, too. I'm not sure what other's use but ABBA has worked pretty good for me... may look at another food if others really like something I haven't tried.

They are all doing so well! They watch everything that goes on (my quarantine cage is in our living room so lots going on in there) and I can tell they are figuring stuff out.

I really love them.

Looking so forward to when they can join the rest of the gang -- but also kind of enjoying them by themselves.

[CandoAviary]

Glad they are settling in well. Can't wait to see more pics with them in their flights
I use Abba as the base of all of my finches diets and have been for over 10 years. I tried most and found ABBA consistantly great. My gouldians seem to thrive on it.

[MLaRue]

I personally dislike the ABBA seed blends. In my opinion there are way too many dark oily seeds in their mixes for finches. Not to mention too many other things - that are not needed. Besides their main seed mixes can or could never be soaked for sprouting and too me a seed mix that is able to sprout is very important for Finches - specifically Gouldians. To me a good finch mix is one with multiple grass seeds in them - the more the merrier. ;)

If I didn't make my own mixes I would purchase the BRU seeds - they are extremely fresh and put together specifically for finches. My Gouldians and other species thrive on my mixes and in the past thrived on the BRU seed mixes. But mixing my own saves tremendously on shipping and freight charges and allows me to mix more seeds into their seed blends that they truly love - this also cuts down on the expense of using so much spray millet.

[annague]

That's so neat that you do that, Misty! I've used the BRU seed mixes for grass finches and regular finches but it is prohibitively expensive!

I would like to mix my own, too -- do you share your recipe and resources for the seed?

[MLaRue]

Yes, I used to use Herman's and would think that would be the best source for you since I don't know of any other seed suppliers in your area? There are usually suppliers at your local bird fairs - do you have any of those in your area?

They will mix up whatever you like I can send you the blends I put together if you like

[CandoAviary]

Anna,
I like Herman Brother's seed too but the shipping charges kill me.
http://www.hermanbros-seed.com/index.html
I have a good relationship with my local feed store and she will order me seed any time. This way I just pick it up and save a ton on shipping. (though I buy Abba specialty seeds at 200 to 400 lbs at a time and save with freight shipping)
I just got through mixing a batch. The last two 50 lb sacks of the white porso millet cost $18 a bag + tax. Usually it is a little higher at $22 for 50 lbs. The german brown millet and the siberian red millet is closer to $30 to $34 for 50 lbs. The oat groats (your parrot finches will love these run about $25 for 50 lbs. I can mix 200 lbs of millets for around $ .50 per pound. This is a great savings and no shipping charges No effort either if Hubby will pick them up and carry them to your bird room Maybe check with your local feed suppliers and see if they will include your special order with their next shipment.
Mixing:

White millet


siberian, german, porso millet already mixed by me

Oat Groats

Sunflower chips


I also get canary grass. All of these are sproutable and some I even plant for greens. Many of my birds love to nibble on potted young grass. Some dealers carry not so clean seed so you may have to try a few different suppliers to find the really nice cleaned and polished seed. Hope you can find an agreeable local vendor

[annague]

Candace thanks for the cool pic's (as always -- you are so good at including pictures!)

The only local feed store I am aware of is Feeders Supply and I'm not sure if they special order but I will ask. I live very close to Louisville, Ky and they are very large so if I can't find one here I can just zip across the river to Louisville and pick-up. I will also try Herman Bros. Thanks for the link.

My main problem would be not knowing what to order or in what quantity but I can do some research online, I guess, to do a better job of finding out!

I know Mike Fidler recommends percentages and types of seed for the different birds...

[CandoAviary]

I know Mike Fidler recommends percentages and types of seed for the different birds...

Reading Mike's austere program about feeding goulds and his book with Evans is a great way to keep your gouldians. I have followed this method for years and it works fabulous I highly recommend his book:
http://www.fabulousfinch.com/cart/produ ... 39-23.html
Did you know he breeds the parrot finches too?
The key is to have live seed and to know when to mix the higher protein seeds and when to feed a more lean grass/millet diet.
In my opinion all finches benefit from this way of feeding, not just the gouldians.

[annague]

Good info! I'll look that book up. Thanks!

[annague]

Well since the pictures of my gouldians are a few weeks old now I wanted to include a couple of new picutres of my boys -- Flame and Sundance. They will be coming out of quarantine next week. I will also get some new pictures of my hens Icicle and Moonbeam when I get a chance.

[lovemyfinch]

They are handsome boys

Time to change that signature line

[debbie276]

absolutely beautiful!!

[Finchman1]

They look marvelous!!! Like the black head YB...

[Meagan83]

I love those black head dilutes

[MLaRue]

How pretty they are Sundance is so colorful!!