My Societys chew on feathers.

[Aga]

I noticed this behaviour a couple of months ago. They pick up feathers from cage floor and just chew on them What is missing from their diets? They get seeds, lettuce, dill, they won't touch fruit. I do not know why. I tried several times, but they seem to like just "greens". They also have cuttlebone, they eat it every day. What gives?
I have also a question about live worms. I wanted to buy fishing bait at a gas station but I heard that it's infested with parasites and it is not healthy.

[debbie276]

The most common cause of eating feathers is a protein deficiency. Feathers are nearly pure protein, with traces of minerals. Though the lack of adequate protein in the birds diet is the most common cause it can also be the minerals that the finches are lacking. Another serious possibility is a lack of salt in the diet. Finches crave salt and blood and the living parts of a feather are rich in salt.
I would try to get them to eat hard boiled eggs for added nutrients and protein.
Good luck

[Aga]

I tried many times ( even before chewing problem started) but they don't touch it. They just look, come closer and nothing else. I do not know how to persuade them to eat eggs.....

[cindy]

My finches are funny about boiled egg,they like it grated. I tried sliced, as a half an egg in the shell etc but they like it grated. Try that...sprinkle a little dill on top or some Herb Salad!

[nelloyello11]

Have you tried any commercial eggfood mixes? I use Quiko exotic and my zebras like it. They seem to know when they need the stuff in it (protein, calcium, etc) and eat accordingly.

[6finchfriends]

Also try sprinkling their favorite seed on top of the egg. Like Millet or whatever they like the most. You may go through a few eggs but eventually they'll try it. Good luck!

[Aga]

Thanks,I will try My birds are really picky! If I let them do that, they would only eat millet,millet,millet...

[debbie276]

I run all the hard boiled eggs through a garlic press so they look kind of like little worms, sprinkle a bit of handfeeding formula over it and mix. The formula dries it up a bit, my birds don't like wet eggs. I've also heard that people sprinkle garlic powder over the top and the birds dive into it. Just be sure whatever you add to the eggs doesn't dilute the protein content, the more lower protein things you add to the mix the more they have to eat. Maybe sprinkle some of their regular food on top so they pick at the egg.
good luck and let us know how you do

[monotwine]

You may not have a diet issue on your hands at all. Often Soc's pick up feathers and nibble at it, especially the hard bits on the ends.... mine used to even go as far as soaking them in the water dishes for later collection. Then when they are soft enough to the chewer it goes and get incorporated into the nest...
You may just have a builder.

[Aga]

I spinkled some millet and small pieces of lettuce over the egg. If only you could see how carefully my birds were picking up seeds and greens in order not to touch the egg! When they took a little, by accident, they were shaking their heads with disgust Tomorrow I try again. We will see who is more patient

[Aga]

You may not have a diet issue on your hands at all. Often Soc's pick up feathers and nibble at it, especially the hard bits on the ends....

mine used to even go as far as soaking them in the water dishes for later collection. Then when they are soft enough to the chewer it goes and get incorporated into the nest...

Sweet My birds put everything in their nests too
You may just have a builder.

[LindsayG]

I tried many times ( even before chewing problem started) but they don't touch it. They just look, come closer and nothing else. I do not know how to persuade them to eat eggs.....

If you think it's a protein deficiency, you might try this:

http://www.finchaviary.com/Maintenance/ ... readRecipe

You can even put their seed in the mix to entice them to eat it. My female zebra wouldn't touch a mashed up hard-boiled egg, but she loves this. I'm brand new to these birds, but my vet told me about this.

[Aga]

Very nice recipe, tasty )) Actually I noticed that my bird also chew on grass they use to line their nest....