Finch mix v's canary mix
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Tiaris
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Depends on the manufacturer (mixer) & what they choose to put in each as the seeds & their proportions in finch mix & canary mix varies enormously. Generally though most finch mixes have a higher proportion of millets & canary mixes tend to have more plain canary seed & some rape (canola) seed with less millets. It depends on which species you keep which would be most suitable. Canary mixes are more suitable for canaries (obviously) & other cup-nesters eg. singers, siskins, goldfinches etc. The higher fat content of canary mixes can be problematic for the likes of parrotfinches who will eat more canary seed + oilseeds if they are on offer & become fat.
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matcho
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Trust me I am no expert, but I have looked at finch mix and canary mix and the canary mix seems to me to be mainly canary seed which is a brown elongated seed as compared to the smaller rounded different types of millets. I sprout seed weekly and havent had much of a result with these. Changed my supplier because the finch mix was supplemented with canary and rape seeds. If you want finch mix then buy "Finch Mix" if you have canaries you will definitely see the amount of the canary seed as compared to millets in the canary mix. Otherwise buy straight canary seed.
If you are asking this question because you have a mixed avairy of finches and canaries the canaries will do ok on the finch mix but just have a supply of plain canary seed available.
Hope this helps
Ken.
Disclaimer: This is my experience only.
If you are asking this question because you have a mixed avairy of finches and canaries the canaries will do ok on the finch mix but just have a supply of plain canary seed available.
Hope this helps
Ken.
Disclaimer: This is my experience only.
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TomDeGraaff
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I have had similar experience as Ken.
When canaries were in my mixed aviaries, I supplied an extra hopper os plain canary seed. With some of the smaller finches in a mixed group, I would do the same with red millet. However, I prefer to mix my own: plain canary, jap, white millets, yellow and red pannicum. With canaries and singers, I also supplied niger.
Tom
When canaries were in my mixed aviaries, I supplied an extra hopper os plain canary seed. With some of the smaller finches in a mixed group, I would do the same with red millet. However, I prefer to mix my own: plain canary, jap, white millets, yellow and red pannicum. With canaries and singers, I also supplied niger.
Tom
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wagga
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I use budgie mix at times as a substitute, pending the mix of seeds and the time of year, for finch mix. The higher content of plain canary seed is normally higher percentage than the finch mixes.
Like most things in life there is always a compromise for buying pre-mixed produce, bird seeds in this case, in that you get a blend of what ever the manufacturer/merchant has on hand in stock at the time it is bagged. The waste seed or filler seeds contained in most blends is what I am looking for when evaluating a premix bag of seed. With the birds I have, larger grains like wheat or oats found in budgie mix, waste seeds can be planted in the ground or given to other birds to eat. Unfortunately the small canola type seeds found in some finch mixes, even my parrot would not eat them, was found thrown on the ground or at the bottom of my seed trays.
My preferred seed mix ATM is Ellenbee Seeds 'Finch mix' found in the Sydney area. At the moment I have run out of their seed and found myself buying two types of blends to counteract the shortfall of some seeds due to the current drought conditions.
AL
Like most things in life there is always a compromise for buying pre-mixed produce, bird seeds in this case, in that you get a blend of what ever the manufacturer/merchant has on hand in stock at the time it is bagged. The waste seed or filler seeds contained in most blends is what I am looking for when evaluating a premix bag of seed. With the birds I have, larger grains like wheat or oats found in budgie mix, waste seeds can be planted in the ground or given to other birds to eat. Unfortunately the small canola type seeds found in some finch mixes, even my parrot would not eat them, was found thrown on the ground or at the bottom of my seed trays.
My preferred seed mix ATM is Ellenbee Seeds 'Finch mix' found in the Sydney area. At the moment I have run out of their seed and found myself buying two types of blends to counteract the shortfall of some seeds due to the current drought conditions.
AL
Life in Port Macquarie is the ultimate Aussie sea change lifestyle.
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E Orix
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I have used Budgie mix for many many years.
The reason being, is a higher % of Canary Seed, a few % of Oats and very few coloured filler seeds.
I do not keep Canaries and I can't see the need for feeding rape, linseed etc.
Seed mixes vary as do peoples opinions, the one major thing is buy quality.
When even you buy seed in particular if it is a reasonable amount, grab a handful and see what %
actually shoots. This will tell you how good it is. Sadly the days of 90%+ shooting maybe a thing of the past.
The reason being, is a higher % of Canary Seed, a few % of Oats and very few coloured filler seeds.
I do not keep Canaries and I can't see the need for feeding rape, linseed etc.
Seed mixes vary as do peoples opinions, the one major thing is buy quality.
When even you buy seed in particular if it is a reasonable amount, grab a handful and see what %
actually shoots. This will tell you how good it is. Sadly the days of 90%+ shooting maybe a thing of the past.
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Tiaris
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All my seed sprouts. If it didn't I wouldn't buy it. I agree that oilseeds are basically a waste in most pre-made mixes. If you have birds which particularly want or need them then best given as a supplementary offering of the types and proportions needed to make the best use of them where appropriate.
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E Orix
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Sadly a large percentage of seed being sold through retail shops is imported and treated with
only a small percentage that will shoot. What shoots is generally some Aust. grow seed that the
people who mix it got locally. Look at it closely and it will only be one type of seed sprouting.
The retailers don't know where the seed originated they just simply order the bags of seed.
It's a concern and you need to be careful.
I spoke to a person yesterday who is selling seed at the Orange Bird Sale and we had this discussion
about treated seeds.
He assured me his seed will shoot and his prices are not too bad about $37 a bags
only a small percentage that will shoot. What shoots is generally some Aust. grow seed that the
people who mix it got locally. Look at it closely and it will only be one type of seed sprouting.
The retailers don't know where the seed originated they just simply order the bags of seed.
It's a concern and you need to be careful.
I spoke to a person yesterday who is selling seed at the Orange Bird Sale and we had this discussion
about treated seeds.
He assured me his seed will shoot and his prices are not too bad about $37 a bags