where can I get inexpensive food for finches?

[j23siempre]

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get finch food for less. My gouldians dont eat everything that comes in the seed mix so half of it gets thrown out and im spending lots of money on seed that ends up in the garbage "( im thinking of a simple mix without all that extra stuff. I use to buy abba seed mix but I stopped. another problem is the darn shipping, the shipping is more than what the product cost.

Can I feed my gouldians wild finch mix from agaway or something like that?

thanks
Maria

[franny]

Maria,

Try Walmart. They have a finch blend that has none of the coloured bits of "additives" that many supermarket brands have. I forget the name on the package... but it looked good to me. And was very reasonable.

As long as you are also feeding a good mix of fresh greens, and maybe some millet spray, this mix should be fine. I'd test it though, to see how well it sprouts, with a bit of seed from the first bag you purchase. Some stores may not have as good a turn around as others, and you'll want to know that it hasn't sat on the shelf for to long.

[lovemyfinch]

You could also try the Hagen finch seed. It still has vitamins added, but no extra colouring added. This is what I buy at any local pet store when I am in a pinch.

[HoangQuan]

If you have a lot of birds, you should think of mixing the seeds yourself, that will fit better with the stages of development of the birds, and quite more flexible since you can change it anytime.
If you only have some birds, then go with Janine and Franny's advises!

[cindy]

I have the same problem wit my finches, they eat the red and white millet and a little of the grass seed...I found that using Kaytee Supreme Finch works best and mixing it with extra red millet works well. If you have only a few birds check out either Herman Bros. Pet Products, you can buy seed and mix your own. Even Dr Foster and Smith has seed you can order and mix. I add a scoop of pellets (Zupreem fruit blend for finches/canaries to each dish.

[debbie276]

Hi Maria,
I would think that agway or a local feed and seed store would be the most economical. Near me I have a couple local bird stores that mix their own and sell assorted weights up to 50 pounds. It's always fresh and you can't beat the price. Look for something without all those colored bits and with smaller seed types like millet and canary seed.
good luck

[j23siempre]

If you have a lot of birds, you should think of mixing the seeds yourself, that will fit better with the stages of development of the birds, and quite more flexible since you can change it anytime.
If you only have some birds, then go with Janine and Franny's advises!

I only have 9 gouldians

[j23siempre]

I have the same problem wit my finches, they eat the red and white millet and a little of the grass seed...I found that using Kaytee Supreme Finch works best and mixing it with extra red millet works well. If you have only a few birds check out either Herman Bros. Pet Products, you can buy seed and mix your own. Even Dr Foster and Smith has seed you can order and mix. I add a scoop of pellets (Zupreem fruit blend for finches/canaries to each dish.

I have only 9 gouldians and they only eat the red and white millet and the canary grass and some niger seed but they leave all the other stuff. They dont eat the pellets or oats etc... they are so darn picky and wont eat anything. I fill up a small bag of unwanted seed just to see how much is being thrown out and its alot. I need something with out all that stuff they dont bother eating. I guess Im going to have to mix myself I just wish the shipping wasnt so darn expensive.

[j23siempre]

Hi Maria,
I would think that agway or a local feed and seed store would be the most economical. Near me I have a couple local bird stores that mix their own and sell assorted weights up to 50 pounds. It's always fresh and you can't beat the price. Look for something without all those colored bits and with smaller seed types like millet and canary seed.
good luck

If you dont mind can you tell me the names of the stores near you, maybe they ship for less or have a webcite I can look at. my birds dont eat all the extra stuff they are picky

[debbie276]

The ones local by me don't ship but I have bought from Herman Bros http://www.hermanbros-seed.com/ and Jones seed http://www.jones-seed.com/
From Herman's I used the KG Finch and EM soak seed
From Jones the 400 finch blend
Shipping might be cheaper with Herman's only because they are closer to you. Your best bet would be to search for a local feed store though.

[FireFinchMayhem]

Hey.

You can a store like Bulk Barn or a store that caters to wild bird seed for hobbiest. They typically have a mix for finches that is very economical for 5kg, 10kg etc.

[LordDeathcon]

Hey.

You can a store like Bulk Barn or a store that caters to wild bird seed for hobbiest. They typically have a mix for finches that is very economical for 5kg, 10kg etc.

Unfortunatly this is a cheaper way of getting seed but as my sister Janine has said to me and in another post they don't wash the wild bird seeds and it may not be very healthy for your birds as they are not wild and most likely not used to the harshness.

You could also try the Hagen finch seed. It still has vitamins added, but no extra colouring added. This is what I buy at any local pet store when I am in a pinch.

Janine's idea of buying Hagan seeds would be a good bet and a cheap one too. Being on a limited income i tend to buy cheap also.

[j23siempre]

oooooo thanks so much for your help because I did look at buying wild finch food at walmart but it smelled like dirt "O did not buy.

Hey.

You can a store like Bulk Barn or a store that caters to wild bird seed for hobbiest. They typically have a mix for finches that is very economical for 5kg, 10kg etc.

Unfortunatly this is a cheaper way of getting seed but as my sister Janine has said to me and in another post they don't wash the wild bird seeds and it may not be very healthy for your birds as they are not wild and most likely not used to the harshness.

You could also try the Hagen finch seed. It still has vitamins added, but no extra colouring added. This is what I buy at any local pet store when I am in a pinch.

Janine's idea of buying Hagan seeds would be a good bet and a cheap one too. Being on a limited income i tend to buy cheap also.

[L in Ontario]

Unfortunatly this is a cheaper way of getting seed but as my sister Janine has said to me and in another post they don't wash the wild bird seeds and it may not be very healthy for your birds as they are not wild and most likely not used to the harshness.

I never knew that about not washing the wild bird seeds. You learn something new here all the time!

[LordDeathcon]

Unfortunatly this is a cheaper way of getting seed but as my sister Janine has said to me and in another post they don't wash the wild bird seeds and it may not be very healthy for your birds as they are not wild and most likely not used to the harshness.

I never knew that about not washing the wild bird seeds. You learn something new here all the time!

I'm new here too and with still very little experience, I'm just lucky to have a sister with so much experience in raising finches....I'm also a quick study and hoping to be a great breeder like my big sister Janine.

This forum is one of the greatest sites i've found so far that explains so much in detail about what to do and what not to do when it comes to raising our little babies.