Shot seed substitute

[jusdeb]

With a general lack of interest in eating any of my sprouted seeds Ive decided that its a waste of time sprouting the stuff just to throw it away ...

I vaguely recall Eorix saying somewhere that fresh corn and peas were alternatives to sprouted seed .

These vegies are taken with relish so I have no problem feeding them to the masses but just wanted to verify I am recalling correctly ?

[djb78]

Yes deb these vegies will be a good substitute is they don't eat sprouted seeds. Corn peas and carrots are the basic vegies used but you could add a few more if you like. Boil to soft then mash/blend to make pieces small enough for finches to eat ( for your hubby's birds) but for your lot you could leave them as is. To this you could add any number of ingredients which your birds like to get them to try and accept new foods ( but in your case I don't think you would have to worry). I like to add egg or some other sort of soft food and some seed, works a treat.

[jusdeb]

Thanks Danny , yep they get soft food eggs . celery apple buk choy and lots of corn / peas lately .
Didn't think to partially cook them for the finches ..good idea and thanks for replying

No worries about my heffalump parrots , they eat anything .

[maz]

For my tiels and budgies and all the spoilt monsters inside I make up a mix of veges and couscous or rice and egg would that be any good for finches...the parrots love it:)

[djb78]

Maz that would be fine to give to finches.if made small enough to digest, something similar I make as a treat for my canaries. As for couscous and rice nutritionally I don't know if it has any qualities, with my canaries( young) I use this as more of a filler to make sure they get nice and big.

[SamDavis]

With a general lack of interest in eating any of my sprouted seeds Ive decided that its a waste of time sprouting the stuff just to throw it away ...

I vaguely recall Eorix saying somewhere that fresh corn and peas were alternatives to sprouted seed .

These vegies are taken with relish so I have no problem feeding them to the masses but just wanted to verify I am recalling correctly ?

It can take some time for finches to get stuck into the sprouted seed, but once they get the idea they really go for it. Particularly with chicks in the nest. I freeze my sprouts (like Mike Fidler' does and with his soft food) which means they last pretty much indefinitely. I'd say keep persevering with the sprouts. Mine also get various fruit/veges (mainly because I also have Eckies) - frozen corn/peas being a staple. I just run some under the hot tap in a sieve for a bit to thaw them and then I just scrunch them up a bit with my hand as I put them in the food bowls. Maybe mix the corn/peas with the sprouts to get them going...

[Danny]

Just be aware that from a calcium perspective, peas and corn are by far the worst Ca:P ratio of all so must be fed with calcium supplementation.

[jusdeb]

With the calcium issue ...they all have access to and are always seen picking at the grit mix , calcium blocks and the chalky looking calcium bells so will that be enough or do I need to be adding calcium/D3 to their water again ( which I do over winter to 3 aviaries that dont get as much sunlight as I would like )

The Finches , parrots I think get enough from their random pickings at the blocks but the Lorikeets never touch them.

[Danny]

With the calcium issue ...they all have access to and are always seen picking at the grit mix , calcium blocks and the chalky looking calcium bells so will that be enough or do I need to be adding calcium/D3 to their water again ( which I do over winter to 3 aviaries that dont get as much sunlight as I would like )

The Finches , parrots I think get enough from their random pickings at the blocks but the Lorikeets never touch them.

The grit mix etc is all fine and will assist but remember they also need calcium to compensate for the deficiencies of seed. Calcium as a regular in the drinking water is a recipe for disaster. What I am suggesting is the use of an appropriate supplement at an appropriate dose as would be recommended for soaked seed or vegetable mix. This should be present on the label of a decent product. I use Calcivet.

[jusdeb]

Got ya now ....added to the food .