Horse cubes for my finches?

[jmc]

I see that some people feed their little birds hay - not sure if they heat it or if it's only for nesting...

If they do eat it, wondering if this would hurt them. I don't think my horse will miss a cube or two

http://www.triplecrownfeed.com/forages/ ... enutrition

Appreciate any advice.

jmc

[debbie276]

Not sure about others but I only give hay for nest material not to eat.

[Sally]

Same here. I line my breeding cages with hay, partly so they can use some of it for nesting material, partly for a soft cushion in case of falling/tossed babies, but also I see them foraging in it for seed heads. Since the hay is baled fresh and the cubes are processed, I don't think they would have any use for them.

[Dayna]

Not trying to go off topic but what kind of hay? Timothy? Alfalfa? Can you use any hay?

[wellingtoncdm]

Having experience feeding both finches and horses I would not offer those cubes to my birds. I agree about hay for nesting use or to line cage bottoms but not as a source of food. The only food item that I use for both is whole oats or oat groats. My cockatiels, bourkes, parakeets and some larger finches love them.

[Sally]

Not trying to go off topic but what kind of hay? Timothy? Alfalfa? Can you use any hay?

Dayna, since I have lots of breeding cages, I buy a bale of hay, which lasts me a long time. What I used last year was a mix of timothy, brome, and orchard grass. That is not the type hay that is normally available here, we normally only have coastal bermuda or alfalfa. I loved that mix to use as bedding, it was softer than other hay, so I hope I can find it this year. In your area, you probably have timothy, so I would think that would work.