Java Feeding Question

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Nearly all of the java finch breeder and info sites, recommend feeding javas a quality parakeet mixture. I've been offering this but just for the heck of it, I filled one portion of the partitioned food dish with my favorite canary mix. For two nights now, the parakeet mix has hardly been touched, while the canary mix portion has been devoured. Is it healthy for the javas to eat the canary mix seeing how it has a lot less millet? They do seem to like it better. Also, I've found that they are quite fond of corn on the cob. Bob.

[L in Ontario]

Hi Bob, I think most birds like corn on the cob - my finches do and my parrots as well. I'm not sure about Java's having canary seed over millet but I'm sure someone with Java experience will be by soon to answer that one.

[Jasmin]

Hi Bob, I have zero insight into your Java/canary mix question, but I do want to know more about the corn on the cob! It's the first I've read anywhere about offering corn to finches and I'd love to try it too.
Is the corn you offer fresh, boiled or the dry popcorn kind?

[cindy]

Bob, I think the key to the javas or any finch/bird is finding what works well, and offer a varity. I have tried several different seed mixes with my finches, some like a bit of everything others like just a few different seed. I think offering the parakeet and canary is fine. The canary might be sort of a treat for them and each seed has a certian nutritional value.

You can also add a pellet to it, either the Zupreem Finch (Natural or Fruit blend) or Roudybush Nibbles. Laferbers makes a fine pellet for finches but javas might be able to handle the parakeet size. Since you live in my area, try PetSupermarket or Everything Birds (I think George has a java mix or can recommend something he uses) Also try shredded carrots, romaine, they like corn already, try peas.

When I had mine I tried to give them a variety of fresh foods on a rotating basis. I offered pellets either separately or mixed (you can offer them on the side until you are sure they like it).

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Jasmin,

Corn on the cob has ALWAYS been a staple for my canaries. Between that, hard boiled eggs and soak seed, they practically raise their young on it! I offer it fresh and slice one cob into about six pieces. Two to four canaries will pick one of these pieces clean in a day. The javas got it for the first time today and did a pretty good job on the ends. If your finches are tiny, you may want to try scarring it up with a knive a bit to make it easier to pick at.

Cindy,

I usually get my staple seed at Pet Supplies Plus. They sell it in hoppers (like Everything Birds) where you can buy it by the pound. For the canaries, I've been mixing the "premium canary", "premium finch" and zoopreem pellets. I honestly don't think they touch the pellets, but they're there if they "need' them. Occasionally, I'll throw in some hemp and extra nijer seeds. I do give everybody fresh fruits and veggies nearly every day. I also give calciboost, liquid calcium supplement during the breeding season and infrequently throughout the year. Just need to learn a routine for the new javas. Bob

[cindy]

Try the Roudybush Nibbles or Laferber, both go over well with all my finches.I took some of the Lafebers keet Nutriberries in the tub with the purple label and crushed them (you can do it with your fingers over a dish easily). I sprinkled it over their seed, the loved it. It is what the pellets are made of but in the whole form.

Zupreem changed some of the coloring and size of the finch...mine after years of downing it are turning their beaks up at it. I am not sure exactly where you are but they just put in a good size PetSupermarket off of 41 in Lutz. I have yet to check it out. It is a bit of a distance from me, i have passed it a few times.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Anyone else know more about the Java diet? Where are all the Java people? Charlie? Candace? Should I have posted in the general question section that tends to get more traffic? Bob

[tinysparrow]

hi bob,
i'm certainly no expert about javas, (i only have one right now as my other one just passed away ), but i feed my java both a finch mix and i also offer just straight up white millet. she loves them both.

my experience is that they also like all of the other stuff i feed my flock... egg food, greens, veggies, insects, pellets, sprouted seed. a friend of mine recommended paddy rice...i haven't tried that yet. my javas have also been obsessed with zucchini for some reason

[pamsbirds]

I am no means an expert at all with javas having just gotten my first 2 less than 2 months ago and they are still babies. However, I was told by their breeder to feed them parakeet seed. I have been feeding them parakeet seed, finch pellets and fresh foods. They love grated zucchini!! But they are very open to eating new foods. I have not tried a canary seed or finch seed mix.

[dan78]

Bob why people say to give them small parrot mix is due to the oil seeds in Canary mix. They believe that since javas are bigger and not as active as smaller finches that they will become fat. My experience with javas is not alot but when I had them I did have good success. When I feed mine I used a combination of both small parrot mix with a Canary mix in portions of 1 budgie(small parrot mix) to 2 canary mix. With all the fruits and veg they can be picky but corn and Apple seemed to he there favourite out of them all while Green leafy veg was demolished. Boiled rice was given but was mainly taken when young were around and mine never touched live food but would pick at egg. When I was breeding them many years ago I had a few pairs in a large flight cage I did find that only one pair breed while the others would help feed fledglings. On this finding it was explained to me that they have dominant pairs which will breed while others didn't so the next season I only had one pair in each cage and then my other pairs breed also.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Thank you so much Dan for the insight! I find my javas to be every bit as active if not more so than the canaries. I have one pair in a pretty large cage. They especially perk up between the time their light goes off and actual sunset. They fly all around the cage and seem to get some sort of thrill by flying through a cockateil-sized swing at the top. They first set it in motion by jumping on and off of it, then chase each other through it as it sways. Very amusing to watch! I guess I'll continue with mainly the keet mix and use the canary mix as a treat. Thanks again! Bob