Does Petamine need a replacement, really?

[love4finches]

Since it is so expensive to get now (yes you can buy it) but for me it's across the country.
I feed my finches a really good seed mix and when babies arrive I use hard boiled eggs and use to mix with petamin and Higgings egg proteen. Can't afford the Higgins. Again 8 oz price ridiculous.

I read the ingredients in the seed I feed and the ingredients in the petamine are in the seed mixture. So can I just feed hard boiled eggs during feeding the young?

[lovemyfinch]

I have honestly never used petamine, not even sure I can even buy it here.
I have always fed my birds a well balanced seed , veggie diet, along with their eggfood. When babies are in the nest (a couple of days before expected hatching) I start adding some handfeeding formula to my egg mixture.

[debbie276]

I also have never fed petamine and just give basic seed mix with hard boiled eggs. I also add handfeeding formula to the egg to dry it out a bit while not diluting the protein.

[love4finches]

What handfeeding formula do you use? I never heard of that. I've been using Petamine and Higgins Proteen Egg for years.

I've love to use handfeeding forumula. That simplifies alot. Do I mix it in with the hardboiled egg? What is the ratio.

I guess, I'm asking for direction. Thank you for the idea. I am going to definately do this. I just need the feeding forumulas you like and how you incorporate it or make your egg food.

Thank you so much!! I am really grateful.

[debbie276]

For every large egg I add about a tablespoon of hand feeding formula. You can use any kind that you like, I use Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula.

[love4finches]

My sincerest thanks for your suggestions. Off tomorrow to get what I need. Three babies have hatched today. Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

[fabulousfinch]

For every large egg I add about a tablespoon of hand feeding formula. You can use any kind that you like, I use Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula.

And I would jump in and say use "Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula" exactly if that is what Debbie is using. This is a note for those newer to keeping and breeding finches which often turns into a "fast in, fast out" hobby once a newbie steps outside of the "easy keepers."

When you buy your first "difficult keepers" write down everything the breeder is doing and using, including product brand names and do everything the breeder is doing exactly. The reason for this is that a successful breeder has likely been through the school of hard knocks and has found a balance of foods for success (diet is just about everything). Changing just the brand of a vitamin sprinkled on a homemade eggfood can have dramatic consequences.

Take a look at the avian vitamins. If you compare the A to E ratio of Lafeber's Bird Vitamins, it is 400 to 1. The ratio of A to E in Zoo Med Avian Plus is a little less than 200 to 1. With all other things being equal (ie: you feed all other foods the breeder is feeding) both brands can't be right. Neither brand is wrong, but rather it is how each brand compliments the complete diet that makes the whole diet work or not work for any given breeder. The same would go for live food. Different insects can have dramatically different nutritional profiles so try to initially stick with what the breeder is using if at all possible.

Finches don't have to be experimental for the newbie, but often turn out that way as they wade through a myriad of foods and supplements over a period of years with a lot of finches lost along the way. When you buy that vigorous new beautiful pair, ask the breeder what they are doing down to the last iota knowing that by simply using a different brand of vitamin or softfood you may throw the equation out of balance. There is nothing wrong with evolving over time, but with a new species why not start out with your feet on the ground running

Bill
http://www.FabulousFinch.com

[love4finches]

Bill,
Extremely great advice! Advice that should be taken very seriously.

My questions was percipitated by a product I used for years and now is hard to get and the price has been doubled. So by asking the pros here, I knew I would get the right answer.

I'm never one to 'experimen' with foods. I will always ask first. Unfortunately the birds I have been given usually are given pellets mixed with seed. What's up with that. You sit and watch the birds digging for seed and they are puffy from being hungry. You know they are a seed eatter.

I felt so bad that I got the puffy one, quaranteed it, fed it what I was giving my other finches and within a week was singing like a crazy man, loved taking bathes and now the father of 5.

Unfortuntly here in NJ you can't find breeders more than over 3 hours away where I live, so it's the local stores and pellets must be less expensive or less waste but if they don't eat it and die of hunger with a bowl full of food they don't like, I just can't deal with that.

Anyway, my rant is over. I thank you all. I've never heard of using formula. Petamine is a very common product when raising larger parrots. Believe it or not I find breeding large parrots and hand feeding a whole lot easier than these little guys. But I'm up for the challenge.

[love4finches]

I just got off the phone with my finch breeder friend and she never uses handfeeding formula. I asked why. She said that it is meant to be used to feed babies with a syringe only because when the parents eat the dry formula with the egg mixture, the handfeeding formula "expands" from the liquid/regurgitation and when fed to babies that have their own saliva and dry water the handfeeding formula will expand and impacted crops occur. Interested in your opinions.

[debbie276]

That's an interesting thought.
I've been adding it to egg for over 10 years now without compacting crops. I also have a dish of dry hand feeding formula in the cage when they have chicks.
If your uncomfortable feeding that way then I wouldn't do it just remember not to dilute the protein in the egg with a low protein additive.

[love4finches]

Debbie,
Thank you for your response. I just want to make it very clear that I don't have the experience and respect all opinions and helpful tips. I just wanted to pass along something I learned to you all.

One day I hope to have enough experience to help someone who's a newbie. That's how much respect I have for you all that help me. You have all been on my new journey and I kept you all up to date.

I will always ask and never experiment with food or anything that I don't have knowledge with. When in doubt you go to the experts and I found alot of them here.

Thank you all for making this newbie feel important and you never laugh at any question asked by anyone. You all take your furry babies seriously and I 'm one of them. Thank you for the way you except all new finch lovers here. It's very moving. Ok. I've ranted again. I just want to say thank you.