de-louser for bath water? + vit/mineral questions

[nopEda]

Is there a de-louser that's good to use in their bath water?

I'm using Oasis Vitadrops and liquid iodine in their water, and keeping a powdery mineral suppliment in a cup that's always available to them. I never see them go near the mineral mix. Are there water solubal mineral suppliments? If not is it a good idea to mix the minerals with their oyster shells which I use as grit and they do eat, or would there be a danger of them getting an overdose of minerals? Is that a danger with finches?

[monotwine]

I cannot comment on the de-louser. I use Scatt and don't have any problems with it.

Re vit: Its usually not a good idea to have vit and supplements permanently in their water source as you can overdo the supplementing thing and unbalance other processing requirements of the birds body. (You did not mention how often you put it in there).
We need to provide our birds with suppliments to give them a full range of nutrients, but leave it up to them to take what they need.
If you search mineral / grit mix you will find some of the forum members mixes. You can mix things together.
Sometimes it just takes a bit of time to get the birds used to a new source of things.
Once they figure out how, you'll see them helping themselves to what they need.

[kenny66]

I am not usually in favour of adding vitamins to water because you can overdose as well as underdose. Some finches will rather dehydrate than drink some additives so I would aadvise dont do it. A good finch mix (seed), charcoal in a treat cup and crushed cuttle bone are the staples. Soft food such as egg and biscuit can also be offered. Veggies such as lettuce and cucumber provide some minerals. Additives in water are vary much uncontrolled. I would lay off the iodine, which can be detrimental if too much is given and offer this in a crushed grit form if you can get it, otherwise not at all. If you are inclined to provede supplementation do it in either as grit or powder form wher the finches can eat it if they need it. Moxidectin or Ivemectin (Scatt) are the drugs of choice for parasites and worms. Dose at 5ml per litre for 2 days every 3 months. Baycox at the rate of 3ml/lt for 3 days should also been done either every 3 months or as needed. That will solve your bug problems on the bird. When supplementing birds you must consider how a finch would obtain a particular substance in the wild. Apart from Flamingos who do uptake minerals and vitamins in water, most would obtain it naturally and by their choice. Keep the water natural (bottled if you prefer) and add 2-3ml per litre of Apple Cider Vinegar as an acid stableliser and cleansing agent, that is all. If you want t ouse products like nutribboost etc, do it once per week but I dont think it is necessary. I would suggest however that you add a probiotic additive to the water after worming, illness or coccidiosis treatment. Probac or equivalent would suit.

[kenny66]

I forgot to add, depending on the number of finches you have you can apply moxidectin (Scatt) directy to the birds neat at the rate of 1-2 drops on the skin at the back of the neck or under the wing. I would also like to reiterate, I would not continue to add water soluble vitamins and minerals to the finches drinking water. Natural is good.!!!!