Changing seed

[nelloyello11]

I think I remember reading about this somewhere, but of course, now that I need it, I can't find it...
I am considering changing the seed mix that I give my zebras. Is there a "best" way to do this. I remember a suggestion of mixing new and old seed in different proportions to get them used to the new stuff, rather than changing cold turkey. Something like 25%new/75%old, then 50%/50%, then 75%/25%. But I don't remember how long for each blend.
What do you guys suggest?

[kenny]

hi
if you are doing a radicle change,i would put a dish of your normal feed alongside a dish of your new stuff and that way you will be able to see if they are eating it and how much they are eating,if its just another seed mix then i think you will not have a problem.but if you are changing to pellets or anything else then i would use the idea of putting some in a dish alongside your normal seed....then all you need to do if its seed see how many sluffs they have left behind

ken

[nelloyello11]

Thanks kenny. I am just changing from one seed blend to another. Theydon't eat the pellets in the mix I am using now so I would like to change to one without pellets.

[kenny]

hi
i have never used pellets,i used to just by a mixture for foreign finches and it had all the right millets and a few extra bits in like niger and japanese millet try not to get one with too much linseed in it because they do it it but not in enough amounts to warrant it being there

ken

[nelloyello11]

The blend I am using now is not all pellets. It is seeds with pellets mixed in. They do eat all the types of seed that are in it, but since they never touch the pellets, I decided it's time to switch to something without pellets, as I am wasting money if they don't eat it. I'm pretty sure I am going to switch to the ABBA finch blend, as it has recently become available locally!

[kenny]

hi
if you are buying a finch blend then you shouldnt see any waste with it


ken

[ac12]

Kenny
My bird have consistently eaten the white/light seeds and left the dark seeds behind. The only time they seem to eat the dark seeds is when all the light seeds have been eaten. Sort of like kids and vegetables.

[Ursula]

I never had a problem changing from one seed mix to another brand. I just switched when I had nothing of the old food left. I think the rules for not going "cold turkey" apply only when you switch from a seed mix to a pellet only diet. They might not recognize pellets as food at first.

I also had to find out which seed mix they like so had the least amount of waste. I had the same problem with some seed blends that had a lot of pellets in it. I am now on the Abba seed mix and my birds seem to like all of what's in it.

[nelloyello11]

Thanks, Ursula! I will just do that then.

[kenny]

hi
most of the seeds in finch mixes are millets,the larger white ones are mostly eaten by budgies and the other smaller orange ones is mostly millet sprays without the stalk but like everyhting else all the large ones get eaten first because there is more goodness in them


ken