New at raising Finches

[sweetsherrie112]

I have a pair of socitiy finch's and would love to make sure they are as health as possible ... to date i have only given them finch seed but I've only had them a week now they are fledgling I'm told just out of the nest ... I cleaned around the cage today and found lots of feathers from at least one of them if not both aren't they to young to be doing this and should I start introducing foods like hard boiled eggs and greens like kale ect.... I'm told they are from a different clutch not brother and sister but I'm not positive yet also I know one of them is singing at least I think he is singing the other just sits and preens her self ... anyway should I start the different food and if so how often ... Sherrie

[Finchgirl]

Seeds alone do not provide enough nutrition, so it is good to offer a pellet food as well as fresh fruits and greens. Good veggies to feed finches are grated carrots, finely chopped romaine lettuce, kale, and most leafy green veggies. Finches also like dandelion greens! Most finches also like some fresh apple or watermelon as a treat! (http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/safe_toxi ... _foods.php) This is a link to the finch info center and it has more dietary info and a list of toxic and unsafe foods. Female finches don't sing, so this is normal behavior. I wouldn't plan on breeding your finches if you're not sure if they are related or not, and they are too young to breed now anyways. Societies love raising clutches, so you can't have a nest or nesting material in the cage unless you want to see little tiny baby finches!

[sweetsherrie112]

Thank you so much then I will take the nest out lol. as I read then needed it weather they breed or not so guess that was wrong .... thank you for the information I will go out and buy the fresh greens and look for the flower maybe i have one or two in the yard lol..

[6finchfriends]

my societies LOVE corn and cucumber too. I give them greens every day along with whatever fresh veggies I might have. They love their breakfast!

[flrancho]

I would probably caution against getting dandelions from your yard unless you are absolutely positive that pesticides have not been used on your yard. Even then, I'm not sure I'd use them just since they're exposed to the environment and there's no telling really what has come in contact with them and possibly contaminated them.

Its probably better to get whatever food your feed your finch from either a pet approved source or human grade source.

[cindy]

Try adding Zupreem Fruit blend Canary/finch pellets (Petco/PetSmart). It smells good and will entice them to eat. It is pretty complete...along with give them greens, romaine, shredded carrots, etc.