canary food vs. finch food

Learn what to feed your birds.
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finchandlovebird
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canary food vs. finch food

Post by finchandlovebird » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:18 am

I have Gouldian finches & ONE canary. At first I bought "canary" food for him; but ran out & now he eats "finch" food. What's the difference & is this ok for the canary to eat only finch food. He gets extras of course; Romaine, egg food, millet, canary seed & a couple "canary" treat foods.
Dolly J

1 Canary
, 1 Parakeet
Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

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Martie
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by Martie » Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:44 am

I am definitely no canary expert, but do keep a few here. Someone on here (Sorry - can't remember who) said something that really helped - that finches like light colored seeds where canaries prefer dark.

Given that I, too, have mostly finches, I buy finch seed in bulk - and then smaller amounts of the darker seeds to add in for the canaries. I found that a little thistle added to their mix keeps them very happy (and they might just be fine without it).
Martie
Mill Creek Aviary
Erythrura (Chloebia) Gouldiae (Gouldians)
Lonchura striata domestica (Societies)
Taeniopygia bichenovii (Owls)
Serinus mozambicus (Green Singers)
Lonchura punctulata (Spice)
Poephila acuticauda (Shafttails)
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http://sites.google.com/site/finchlegbands/

debbie276
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by debbie276 » Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:45 am

I did the same as you Dolly, fed finch mix with things added for the canaries.
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
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GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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finchmix22
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by finchmix22 » Thu Feb 06, 2014 12:39 pm

I buy the finch seed mix and add some canary mix, as my green singers love the canary seed mix and don't eat as much of the finch mix.
DEBORAH

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jonvill
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by jonvill » Thu Feb 06, 2014 1:40 pm

Canaries should have up to 40% of the dark seeds like rape, nyger, flax and hemp in their diet. The percentage can be as low as 10% in winter but should increase in spring and summer for breeding and moulting.
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finchandlovebird
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by finchandlovebird » Thu Feb 06, 2014 2:03 pm

Super answers guys; thanks; you put my mind at ease :D :D
Dolly J

1 Canary
, 1 Parakeet
Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

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30 Seconds to Bob
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by 30 Seconds to Bob » Wed Feb 12, 2014 12:10 am

The primary ingredient in a quality canary food should always be canary grass seed. Canaries relish it, but many finches won't touch it. Bob
3 canaries
2 orange cheeked waxbill finches
2 java finches, 1 split to normal, 1 white
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Zebrafincher
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Re: canary food vs. finch food

Post by Zebrafincher » Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:25 am

I, too, mix my seed together. My finches and my canary all flick the seed on the ground!!! Messy!


Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
“Kevin the King”, groutchy, cranky canary – 12 years
Beaky the Zebbie – 9 months old – a real, real cutie!!!
Merlin “Merl” the Starfinch – 2 years – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

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