My new Gould- QUESTIONS

[poohbear]

Multi vitamins now and again...a good quality finch mix with extra canary seed...millet spray...greenfood...and fresh grated boiled egg.A dose of seaweed extract now and again.
I've bred LOADS of gouldians over the years on this...don't get into the supplement trap.The birds do very well thank you without all the fancy expensive additives.A decent diet is the answer, not stuff in a bottle.

[dfcauley]

When you say with extra canary seeds...... can all birds in the mixed aviary eat those seeds? Also, is there a special kind of seeds and do you add them to your regular seeds? I have never feed canary seeds to my birds.

[Brette]

Multi vitamins now and again...a good quality finch mix with extra canary seed...millet spray...greenfood...and fresh grated boiled egg.A dose of seaweed extract now and again.
I've bred LOADS of gouldians over the years on this...don't get into the supplement trap.The birds do very well thank you without all the fancy expensive additives.A decent diet is the answer, not stuff in a bottle.

Good point. I've been tempted to buy every supplement I've read about on some sites because they've sort of implied that your finch can't live without them. I have one multivitamin that I use every so often.

I have trouble getting leafy greens into them so I make a mixture of cooked cous cous, grated carrot and grated broccoli for them. I suspect they're eating AROUND the broccoli though. Buggers! haha.

[Meagan83]

I keep 3 food bowls in the cage, one is just for egg food, one for canary/finch seed, and one for finch/ parakeet seed. The mixes are different but both varieties seem to get eaten by different birds.

[poohbear]

Most canary seed available in the UK and the States is grown in Canada...My Gouldians were raised on a mixture of millets including 25% of canary seed...rich in oils,and popular with most finches and siskins...but especially gouldians.Probably because it is a basic grass seed similar to those found in Australia.



PS... When it comes to supplements for stressed and sickly birds,save your money...go to your local drugstore or candy manufacturer and get some liquid glucose...a teaspoon full in a water pot works wonders.

I've bred plenty of birds like this without chemicals in bottles...

[dfcauley]

I LOVE saving money. Thanks for that suggestion.

[CandoAviary]

I agree about the canary seed. I have been mixing canary/rape seed 1/3 to 2/3 finch millet mix for the last 10 years. I feed to all finches and waxbills. The extra protein goes a long way in the health of the birds. Also it is the millet that tends to make the birds fat. I also like feeding fresh hardboiled egg. I never add suppliments to the water unless its caliboost/calcium plus to an egg bound hen.
Canary grass seed is one of the best seeds and affordable.Also great for speouting and growing into greens

[dfcauley]

I've bred plenty of birds like this without chemicals in bottles...

Oh my stars!!! My absolute favorite color of gouldian...... Stunning Paul!!!!

[Meagan83]

Well it only took a few weeks and look at him now! He's so handsome and even seems to have put on some weight. Thanks for all of the good advice everyone!

[Finch Fry]

He looks GREAT. congrats!!!

[Irelandlily]

Whenever I get a new bird that is unused to anything but seeds I have found the best way to get them trying other foods is to place the new foods on top of thier familliar seed. That way even if they just pick it up to toss it on the floor, they are still getting the taste in thier mouths and they adjust to it much sooner ;) Just a suggestion, but it has always worked for me

[jimlas]

Wow, that OH/WB is really a wonderful looking bird. I have an OH/PB and the female is RH/WB. Maybe I have a good chance on like your is they have babies??

Anyway, I am up here in NH,USA
I bought Feather Fast for my birds for when they go through their molt. I like it a lot. You bird was just brought home into a new cage as well so he is probably a little stressed. Give him a Millet Spray if he still isn't eating well and that will probably trigger his appetite a little