Finch Seed

[CathyCraftz]

What seed should the ideal finch seed contain? Mine has french white millet, shell-like bits and lots of other seed. It also contains seed-sized grit that my finches don't even eat. On the package it said that canaries can eat it too.

[Shane Gowland]

Most of the packaged, "supermarket brand" seed mixes are low quality and often contain unnecessary filler that finches don't eat.

I've been buying Avigrain Finch Red for quite a while. That's my base seed mix, then I separately serve red pannicum (for the waxbills) and a bit of peachface mix (for the neophemas). Right now I'm transitioning to Natures Harvest bird seed, mostly because that's the brand stocked by the pet supplies company I work with.

[vettepilot_6]

Try sprouting some of your seed...if atleast 90% sprouts it good if not change to something better...

[matcho]

From what you have described Cathy it sounds like you are using the Trill Canary and Finch Mix. Get yourself along to a produce store and buy some "finch mix", not in a packet but by the kilo. You can then add whatever grit etc, etc you think is right for your 2 zebra hens . Would work out cheaper in my opinion as you are getting seed only and not the fillers. In saying that I used to purchase 20kg bags of finch mix from a seed dealer but found the "filler" seed was canola (rape). It was an absolute waste as my birds, Goulds, Stars and Painteds would not touch it. I buy now Avigrain Blue, no canola but sprouts well and all is eaten. Hope this helps. I shop at Enfield produce and his loose finch mix is ok but he also has all seed separate so you can mix your own to suit.

Hope this helps.

Ken.

[Tiaris]

My basic finch mix is Red Pannicum, White millet, jap millet, & plain canary, The proportions of each depends on which species my collection comprises but as a rough guide equal parts of each makes a good finch mix. If I am keeping a majority of African species I up the proportion of red pannicum or if am keeping a majority of cup-nesters I up the proportion of plain canary. At the moment I don't have many of either so I am just using equal parts. I only ever use Australian grown seed which sprouts. To ensure this, I always buy from the grower.

[CathyCraftz]

matcho I buy my seed in 5kg packs that last about three months. Right now I am out of seed, will try switching to another seed. Will my hens be picky about it as they have only been eating that seed?

[Craig52]

Cathy, they will probably think it is Christmas