Aussie Finch Forum

Just in case you're still after a info Jayburd a waxbill mix should ideally have:

● Guinea Grass – Panicum maximum
● Sabi Grass – Urochloa mosambicensis
● Signal Grass – Brachiaria decumbens
● Bambatsii Panic Grass - Panicum coloratum
● Purple Pigeon Grass – Setaria incrassata
● Red Panicum – Panicum milaceum

Or summat like that which is based on info in the book "African Birds in Field & Aviary".
Guinea grass is the real dear one but is basically unavailable this season for pretty obvious reasons in Qld!!

The Taste of Africa is not close to this mix or a Clifton Finch product.

There u go hope it helps and for the record our Blue-caps luv it - well worth the exra expense!!!

Thanks very much Fincho .
However, I must disagree with one comment -

Fincho162 wrote:The Taste of Africa is not close to this mix or a Clifton Finch product.

This is what's in the Taste of Africa

Signal Grass
Red Panicum
Sabi Grass
French White millet
Gatton Panic
Siberian millet
Green Panic
Jap millet
Purple Pigeon
Panorama millet
Bambatsi
Tetilia Rye
Demeter Fescue

which covers most of the ones you just described, plus a few thrown in for good measure.
Also they have a link on the site to an article by M. Pollard explaining how this mix came about. He invented it. so it is a clifton aviaries product really.

Glad blue caps love it - I plan to get some. Eventually .

by the way, I just got african birds in field and aviary - how did you gather that info?

Fincho162 wrote:Guinea grass is the real dear one but is basically unavailable this season for pretty obvious reasons in Qld!!

I might have to put mine under lock and key then, Ive got a half barrel full and growing really well.

Jay, you'll probably find the white, Jap, & panorama are added to make it cheaper to produce, & seenig as these are already in a standard finch mix, the extra, in my opinion, isn't needed.

ok thanks VR1

Trust me my friend it is NOUGHT to do with Clifton as sometimes things are not what they seem!!
The initial work was done there but not the final commercial mix, certainly not in the proportions from that article - and that is the clincher.
Sure it's fine but have never used it.

The red pannicum is in there because if you keep a heap of waxbills then they luv extra red so good to add to your mix to get them into it - not that most need a leg-up so to speak!!!

If you read that book ( green & has a Paradise whydah on the front) it mentions "Wildfoods" for most species so just write down all the grass species and tick off what the waxies u wish to keep eat and you'll end up with a list of the most popular..........top of which will be Guinea grass.....curses!!!!

Happy hunting.......and damn jealous about that growing Guinea grass!!!!!!!

ok thanks like I said I now have the book so I'll have a good read and post my findings for my desired species

Jayburd, dont take everything you read as gospel, different environements different birds. Trial a few mixes, in my opinion dont go overboard intially otherwise you will stress out. Think of it this way out of the following tell me what do you like broccoli, capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, cabbage, brussel sprouts, carrots, corn peas.

Theres nothing more frustrating than spending big $$$$ on seed / feed only to see the birds push it aside . I think that when you buy your birds ask the breeder what they have been feeding them .'
This is another reason I like buying from breeders , they will mostly give you some feed to take with you and you can have a natter while they show of their aviaries about diet etc.