Thought on diet supplements for gouldins

[Harley2013]

I have tried to give fresh veggies to my gouldins, they really aren't too interested. Any thoughts on kelp, bee Pollen, dry vitamin supplements mixed with seed? They are not even too interested in egg food. Hmmmmm? Also, they don't seem to use their cuttle bone. Should I maybe grind it and sprinkle it on their food?

[Colt]

Vitamins mixed with their seed is pretty pointless as they will hull the seed leaving the vitamin coated hull behind.

Mine are on a finch seed mix with Roudybush Nibble pellets and XS Zupreem Fruit Blend pellets at a ratio of 50%-25%-25%. The get boiled egg run through a garlic press daily right now as they are molting and breeding. I add their pellets, Quiko Goldy, Classic, and Exotic egg foods as well as Kaytee Exact hand feeding formula to dry it out some. I've added bee pollen, dried greens, and spirulina as well as any powdered supplements I want. Spray millet is offered a few times a week as a foraging treat. A mixture of my own crushed egg shells, Kaytee's Forti-Diet High Calcium Grit (mineral mix), and Higgins Snack Attack Mineral Grit: Oyster Shell and Mineral Grit is offered freely. Obviously they have drinking and bathing water available at all times. They've enjoyed Romaine lettuce once they figured out it wasn't going to embrace them in leafy green death as well.

I can't think of anything else I've given them. But I believe presentation and perseverance to be the key. Some of my birds wouldn't touch this stuff for weeks and other waited until someone was brave enough to give it a try and then they'd eat it. Just keep trying. ;)

[birdclaws]

Sprouted seeds are another great treat for all finches.

How long have you offered eggfood and kale? Some of my birds took a while to start eating them.

[lovezebs]

Hi Tammie.

Start with a freshly washed juicy romain leaf, stuck into side of cage close to where they like to perch. Most birds tend to not be able to resist for too long. . Once they try that ( and they will eventually ) you can slowly start to introduce some other options.

As for eggs. Try them chopped, sliced, minced, squished, grated, garlic thingy quashed etc. Different birds tend to like them in different ways. Never had that problem with my crew, they think hard boiled eggs are the greatest thing in the world. Offer tiny amounts at first and put the rest in the fridge.

Goodluck and don 't worry. They will come around in time.

[Harley2013]

What is a good site to but high quality foods on for Gouldins?

[Harley2013]

This coming Tuesday will only be 2 weeks of having them. I have been offering them hard boiled egg off and on and romaine. They don't seem to interested. I haven't tried any other supplements, ex. Bee pollen or spiralina and such, as I am not sure what are the do' sand don'ts with what to feed gouldins. I see many things out there that says " all small birds" or " all seed eating birds", but does gouldins fall into this category? Or should I be looking for theists specifically for gouldins?
Has anyone used - Feather Glow Avian Nectar

Liquid Vitamins W/Iodine Concentrate from frisky finches?

[debbie276]

Gouldians are not any different then any other finch in what they need. A good seed mix, hard boiled eggs and a good mineral mix of calcium sources and charcoal is a good start. Anything else you can think of would be extra. I would warn against adding things to their water. Adding to water can make the water go off quicker and sometimes the birds just will not drink the water if additives have been added.
Good luck

[debbie276]

It may take quite a while for them to try new foods so just keep offering, eventually they will try it ;)

[Harley2013]

Where would be the best place to buy extras for the finches? I had an exotic animal site for my animals ( exotics) years ago. Is there anywhere online the is reputable that any of you use and are happy with I could go on their site and browse?

[debbie276]

As for food, I would just go to the food store near you or are you looking for medicines? Not sure what extra's your looking for.
As for seed and mineral mixes, I'm sure the Canary Bird Store has all you need.

[Harley2013]

No medicines, just extra supplements such as spirilina , kelp, bee-pollen and such.

[debbie276]

You could try https://ladygouldian.com/ or https://www.birdsupplynh.com/ to start. Once you know what your looking for you could do a general web search to get suppliers. Spirulina and bloodworms can be bought in fish departments/stores.

[debbie276]

Here's a link to nutrients and their sources:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php

Should give you a good idea what to feed for the extra's.
good luck