Finch seed vs. Canary seed

[cldheath44]

I recently purchased a Timbrado canary, and was told NOT to house him with finches because he needed different seed. Does anyone house finches and canaries together in their cages or aviaries? Is there something in canary seed mixes that would harm a finch? Or, vice versa, something in finch seed mixes that would harm a canary? Something important that either type of bird would be missing nutritionally if they ate the other type of seed mix?
Any thoughts or insight is much appreciated!

Christine

[ac12]

That is interesting, as the pet stores sell seeds packaged as finch AND canary seeds. So the mfg has formulated a mix for both.

One thing I noticed w my canary is that it will eat seeds that the finches do NOT eat. My finches will NOT eat any dark seeds, whereas the canary will.

[debbie276]

Finch seed usually has mostly milllets and a little bit of canary seed where canary seed doesn't usually have any millet.

[Rayray]

having a canary with your finches and feeding only finch seeds is not gonna harm the canary , he will survive no worries ... plenty people here have a mixed aviary ( finches and canaries ) , what they do is just adding about 10% canary seeds to the original finch seeds , with this mix you will keep them all alive and they will breed

Ray

[cldheath44]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. That's very helpful!

Christine

[FinchDegg]

I think the only real difference i've noticed between the two types of seed is the quantities of rape seed etc ...

You could just offer them a dish of each, finch and canary, they'll eat whichever makes them healthy then

[cldheath44]

I think the only real difference i've noticed between the two types of seed is the quantities of rape seed etc ...

You could just offer them a dish of each, finch and canary, they'll eat whichever makes them healthy then

That's a good idea. I'll try that.......that way I know everybody has what they need, and what they like!

Christine

[ac12]

When I had my canary and gouldian together, going thru quarantine at the same time, the canary ate more of the finch seeds than his canary seeds. So given a choice they will eat what they want to eat, and ignore what they do NOT want to eat.