Gouldians and iodine?

[Leo519]

I am new to Gouldians, and wondering what those of you with experience with them feel about giving a liquid iodine supplement? Does it actually prevent baldness, any other benefits, etc..
And is it okay, or even beneficial, for other varieties of finch?

[debbie276]

I have never supplemented my goulds with liquid iodine. Too much iodine can cause more harm then good.

[Leo519]

Thanks Debbie for your reply!

My gut was telling me it may not be such a good thing because if it's in their water they will be taking in the iodine whether they need it or not, and they are such tiny birds I'd imagine it can be pretty easy to overdose.

I'll spend the money on something else for them

[debbie276]

Hard boiled eggs are a great source of many of the vitamins and minerals your goulds need.

[dutch]

Leo519

When balding is caused by diet it’s often due to a lack of Iodine or vitamin D3.

Birds Indoors?

[Leo519]

Yes, they are indoors

[MiaCarter]

I offer kelp meal. Kelp is a natural source of iodine and other vitamins.

The kelp comes in powder form and you just sprinkle it over their eggs or mealworms or Miracle Meal or other non-seed food. (Non-seed foods because they hull the seeds, so even if it sticks to the hull, it may not get ingested.)

I also had the kelp in granule form. I'd serve it in a little dish and they'd eat it up. They loved it. But I've had a hard time finding it in that style lately.

I've never had any problems with gouldian balding or moulting problems, so I think this does the trick!

ETA - I also give Morningbird Feather Fast when they're moulting and I believe that has some iodine in there. Feather Fast is a really good supplement. It's very complete, so you don't need to give anything else when they take it.

[debbie276]

Some very good information on nutrition and their sources can be found here.
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php

[Ginene]

I add AviKelp Granules to Herb Salad...a pinch of AviPollen too

[Leo519]

Thanks everyone for the all the helpful info!

I will be adding hard boiled egg and powdered kelp to their diet

[Leo519]

Also, how often should I give them hard boiled egg - Is once a week sufficient?
Thanks for any suggestions!

[lovezebs]

Leo519

Hi Laura.
I offer hard boiled eggs everyday when kids are breeding, raising chicks, or molting.

I cook my eggs for 10 minutes, peal them (save the shells), put them through a garlic press, crumble spray millet on top, toss with fork, and serve. All my birds love this mix.

Regarding the egg shells. I dry them and crush into tiny bits, which I mix with my grit. I also add grated cuttle bone, mineral block, and iodine block. Grated into small bits, I offer this mixture In small amounts on the flight floor, where they can pick and choose what they need.

~Elana~

[cindy]

If you use a pelleted diet and or vitamin supplements check the ingredients.... if it is in the food and you are sure they are eating it you do not need to supply more.

I use Roudybush and AviVita Gold, both have iodine...most my birds eats pellets along with seed and fresh foods, egg food. I do offer the powdered in a small dish to go to as needed.

I do not like forcing my birds to drink additives in their water on a daily basis unless being medicated/preventative.

(I took the plunge and now own gouldians after all the yrs have been breeding finches.)

[Leo519]

Thanks Elana and Cindy for the helpful info!

I have not had much luck finding specific information through various online searches on the subject of Gouldians and iodine supplements and egg food.

P.S. Elana, your recipe for the hard boiled egg mixture you give to your finches sounds delicious enough for people - I just might try it the next time I have family over!