Eggs yes no, Millet yes no, greens yes no CONFUSED

[Lucille]

I owed birds years ago and had no problem raising them.

You are ALWAYS going to get conflicting advice because people NEVER 100% agree on ANYTHING.
I see something more complex going on than bird care going on here. Where is your good confidence you had years ago?

READ, ask questions, then make up your own mind. If the advice you receive is conflicting, that can mean that there ISN'T one answer.

To me, there are two good rules:

If someone takes the time to give you information, thank them. Appreciation goes a long way toward getting future help. But YOU have the responsibility of sorting info out and separating the wheat from the chaff. No one but you can do this.

If someone makes a snarky comment after you have read all you can and made what to you is a sensible rational decision, f them. There is a difference between listening to different opinions, and dealing with people who have extra agendas. Have confidence.

[slwatson]

flymouse

It's so awesome to have this forum and get this wonderful information. What I do is write down the stuff that I think will help me the most, and I often take pics with my phone of things for later use. The hardest part is sifting through the unnecessary...like when you are bombarded with extra information about things you already know. When that happens, I just pick out the most important parts that actually matter, and I'm thankful that I at least have a place to go for help

[erine]

As someone who is new to finches also I understand what you mean about things being confusing. I've read everything I can get my hands on and have also gone back and read old threads on this Forum cause I'm kind of nuts like that, lol. And see, even today I leaned something new about limiting egg food and giving the birds a break. And since I've never intend to breed, that makes a difference to what I'll be feeding my birds, now.

But what I've really learned, too is that all birds are different. I've seen pics of Elana's birds clamouring to eat their greens. Most of mine could care less about greens unless I hide them in millet. Except for my gouldians, who I got from a much more reputable breeder and now I'd never buy anywhere else. But I didnt know that at the start. You're learning, I'm learning, the birds are different, the people are different. Just keep loving your birds.

Erin

[cindy]

Actually if you serve egg food everyday you may see some birds do not eat as much everyday, some days it is gone other days they will eat more veggies (try them chopped...kale, carrots, broccoli (moderation) and spinach (moderation). They love sprouted seeds, the brown top and millets sprouted are their favorite, the grasskeets and conure love mung beans sprouted and it is a treat for them to have them.

Take your cues from your birds. If you choose to do egg food every other day or veggies alternating with egg food that is fine too. Some prefer fresh herbs over greens. I mentioned on one of the topics that I tend to look at what they get in a week rather than in a day, was their nutritional needs met?

For me the weekends get busy at times and they will get fresh food either one day or go for two days with just fresh seed, pellets and a tiny scoop of dried egg food and/or Australian Blend. They all seem very happy with that as they forage in their seed bowls/dishes.

[flymouse]

I've been giving Mom Society Finch fresh eggs every 4 to 6 hours. And dry egg food before I go to bed.

My Zebra's I have gone to once or twice per week.


I tried Cooked carrots I had made some boiled fresh carrots for me. NO ONE LIKED THEM. lol How do I give them carrots.


I am giving fresh grown greens couple times per week.

Well I am so sleepy I can't think. So guess I need a nap. (I'm sick with ear infection) Will add more when I get up.

[Sally]

I serve veggies raw, chopped fine so they are in little finch-sized pieces. You can also grate them with an old-fashioned cheese grater. Most finches aren't as happy with cooked veggies.

[cindy]

Fresh chopped or grated like Sally said is best...boiling and cook often depletes some of the nutritional value of veggies.

[slwatson]

What's the best way to serve corn and sweet potatoes? I'm trying to add some variety to their fresh veggies.

[cindy]

you can cook the sweet potato cool it a little and give them a scoop. The corn I buy frozen and set it in a pan of water to warm and thaw.

[cindy]

this is guide for veggies even though it labeled for parrots... keep in mind the section talking about cooked chicken or turkey, some species of parrots are fed cooked meat... not sure I would feed it to my finches!!! Same with some of the cereals. http://www.theparrotandbirdemporium.com ... d=0u7u7e5t

[flymouse]

I owed birds years ago and had no problem raising them.

You are ALWAYS going to get conflicting advice because people NEVER 100% agree on ANYTHING.
I see something more complex going on than bird care going on here. Where is your good confidence you had years ago?

READ, ask questions, then make up your own mind. If the advice you receive is conflicting, that can mean that there ISN'T one answer.

To me, there are two good rules:

If someone takes the time to give you information, thank them. Appreciation goes a long way toward getting future help. But YOU have the responsibility of sorting info out and separating the wheat from the chaff. No one but you can do this.

If someone makes a snarky comment after you have read all you can and made what to you is a sensible rational decision, f them. There is a difference between listening to different opinions, and dealing with people who have extra agendas. Have confidence.

Lucille

Mickey Jo said: Thank you for replying...........You asked where my confidence went. Well then I was in my early 30's. I fed my birds what I wanted to, cleaned cage every other day. Gave them cuttle bone on those dangerous metal clampers, put those dangerous mite protectors on. And went a bird died I had hubby bury it and bought a new one. I never took babies out. So they interbred and one was born with 2 toes missing one with no foot. But even those lived for a good amount of time. But I had no idea what caused it. I was happy with the adorable little singing birds that made my depressed day brighter as my hubby was shipped out all over the place to help keep our country safer. I had kids to worry about and a home to keep all on my own. With others wondering why I was depressed.

Now we are retired Air Force, kids are grown, one is married and on her own, one will never leave home as he has Aspergers. Still have depression but nothing to worry about for others. I'm not nuts. LOL. But now I worry about my birds and chihuahua. So now I am 54 and learn birds are born deformed because they have interbred, eggs don't hatch and baby birds die young because there is something wrong. It is not just suppose to happen. So even though I am blond (LOL) I have learned a lot over the years, and want to do better for my little winged friends this time around. grin.

And yes I always thank those that give me advice and help me out even if once I have read what they wrote i am over whelmed and lost. I have found I have to have things in simple terms now. Maybe from all the stress over the years my mind is not the best sponge anymore. So I have to ask and ask and ask over and over. I do copy and save some info, but I also put it in files and then can't find it. I have saved the sites everyone sends, but in the search engines I try to type and they won't let me. Like LadyGouldins files.

Oh and I have ADHD so I go all over the place. LOL So sorry. Now let me see who else wrote something.[/color]

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slwatson

[/quote]It's so awesome to have this forum and get this wonderful information. What I do is write down the stuff that I think will help me the most, and I often take pics with my phone of things for later use. The hardest part is sifting through the unnecessary...like when you are bombarded with extra information about things you already know. When that happens, I just pick out the most important parts that actually matter, and I'm thankful that I at least have a place to go for help[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said:
Yes if it wasn't for this forum I would be so lost. One thing you said that i have not done is only keep the information I feel that actually matters. I keep it all and then get so confused. grin. I think I need to start over. I need to add information in easy terms to my own website and reference other sites. But for now that will have to wait. I just need to at this time keep only that stuff i need and HOPE I can keep up with it.

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erine

[/quote] new to finches also I understand what you mean about things being confusing. I've read everything I can get my hands on and have also gone back and read old threads on this Forum.....Except for my gouldians, who I got from a much more reputable breeder and now I'd never buy anywhere else.[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said:
Waving from TN glad to know someone else is learning from the bottom too. And I too read and read, but sometimes it is easier for me because I don't have much time a LOT of the time to do that when something I need answered right now. Like I read up about leg bands and then asked more on here because the info and pics are not that great for using perler beads. So I'm grateful for this forum giving me more help.

Now I am jealous that you can find reputable breeders. I can't seem to find anyone near by that owns birds. Yet I do know they exist because the pet store sells more and more birds. Several have tried to help me find groups or clubs or whatever, but once they send me the info, it is a dead end. Maybe I need to start a group called Little Birdie Owners. grin

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CINDY

[/quote] veggies
(try them chopped...
kale, carrots, broccoli (moderation) and spinach (moderation).

They love sprouted seeds, the brown top and millets sprouted are their favorite,


Take your cues from your birds. If you choose to do egg food every other day or veggies alternating with egg food that is fine too. Some prefer fresh herbs over greens..[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said: What is Kale ?

Fresh Herbs ??? Like what kinds ?

What about dried Herbs and Veggies. I found them at one of the pets stores in town.

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Sally

[/quote]I serve veggies raw, chopped fine so they are in little finch-sized pieces. You can also grate them with an old-fashioned cheese grater. Most finches aren't as happy with cooked veggies.
.[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said: Thank you for telling me this. I have wondered. I can't wait to give them some. But the only veggies that I always have on hand are carrots.

Do they like Potatoes? I have those on hand too. And sometimes Peppers (red, yellow and orange )

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Cindy

[/quote]boiling and cook often depletes some of the nutritional value of veggies..[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said: Thanks I didn't know this.

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slwatson asked

[/quote]What's the best way to serve corn and sweet potatoes? I'm trying to add some variety to their fresh veggies.

Cindy Replied :

you can cook the sweet potato cool it a little and give them a scoop. The corn I buy frozen and set it in a pan of water to warm and thaw...this is guide for veggies even though it labeled for parrots... keep in mind the section talking about cooked chicken or turkey, some species of parrots are fed cooked meat... not sure I would feed it to my finches!!! Same with some of the cereals. http://www.theparrotandbirdemporium.com ... d=0u7u7e5t[/quote]

Mickey Jo Said: ok getting confused again. I know I tried giving them cooked carrots. They refused to touch them. Wouldn't the same be true for Sweet Potatoes that it should be shredded or chopped. Or will they not eat it that way.?

I just now found your message with the link. I need to go and check that out. For some reason I didn't get notification of that post.

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Ok I have combined a lot of info here so others can copy and paste this like I am going to do. Thanks everyone, will look for your next replies.

[flymouse]

Ok I just went to the above site for What Birds can EAT.

It said this

Other foods - eggs (never, never uncooked), french toast, small bits of lean chicken or turkey (cooked), nuts (remember the fat - use in moderation), seed (as a treat only and remember that millet and treat sticks are seed.

I thought all the other things are treats. I thought it was important they get seed. Please someone explain. Thank you

[debbie276]

That's what happens when you go to a parrot site and not a finch site.

[Sally]

That's what happens when you go to a parrot site and not a finch site.

Agreed. Parrots often eat many items that finches don't touch, or may not even be good for them. Our Finch Information Center has many articles on nutrition for finches. Don't get overly stressed over this, it does not have to be complicated. You can keep it as simple as you wish. Remember that most finches are seed eaters, so that should be a big part of their diet, veggies are necessary, as is access to a mineral mix. Egg food is a must for breeding/molting birds.

You don't have to go crazy over veggies, either. Mine mostly get broccoli, kale, romaine lettuce, cucumber on an alternating basis. I offer other things as I have time, but the basics are there. You can spend hours preparing food for your birds, or you can spend minutes a day, it is what works into your schedule.

Don't get into the thinking that you have to do everything everyone else is doing, this is supposed to be a fun hobby!! Do what works for you and makes your birds happy!!

[debbie276]

Our Finch Information Center has many articles on nutrition for finches

And here is the link directly to it:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/index.php