Aussie Finch Forum

Don't know about this one and is probably as Tiaris says given u guys use it and we don't.......

..........but when in WA many moons ago - Ok in 2004!! - I was shown some seed by the late John Alers there that had similar "objects" in them except these were a number of seeds all balled together ..........especially obvious when the seed was soaked which revealed literally dozens of these 'nodes'.
We borrowed a microscope and these "balls" turned out to be fungus from one rotten seed that had actively "recruited" fresh, healthy seeds around it and wrapped it in fungusey tendrils - very obvious and looked revolting. Basically the rotten seed burst open and spores contaminated the seeds around it...........

The fungus produces toxins which affect the finches and was proving to be nasty for many finch breeders over there..........aflatoxins were the name of these by-products (aflatoxosis - most Aspergillosis types as GregH mentioned) and I spoke to Dr Walker of the APC who said it was basically untreatable.............maybe others from WA remember these seed batches?
John always maintained that the best bird seed grown in WA ended up in eastern States and that they were left with this inferior stuff - mostly in red panicum from memory...........

Again this probably is not the same but summat to file away JIC!!

Hello to everybody,only have a few of these alien bodies in the two tubs that i have opened,at this stage not a real issue but picked out a couple the other day for a closer look and noticed that when you squash them on some paper,they leave a long black mark ,this got me thinking i have heard of a fungus called charcoal rot,have very limited experience with it ,well virtually none and to appease the curiosity wondered if it is possible that this is what it could be, i have heard it is not dangerous to the birds only the plant hoping this is true,any thoughts garyh.

From what I remember from my horticulture days, Charcoal Rot only affects root crops & soybeans, & generally attacks the roots & lower stem, it is a soil born fungus, & does not affect the leaves or fruiting bodies of other plants, other than causing wilt due to lack of nutrient getting to the leaves.

Here is a few pics, the birds seem to love the seed whatever is in it. No prizes in guessing who has young.

Nice looking birds Nathan....you are obviously spending too much time with your birds if they are at the feed bowls even whilst you are in the aviary taking photos.

obviously your birds are enjoying the seeds....do you feed it seperately or as a combination with any other seed eg; sprouted mix?

Cheers,
Paul

Hi Paul

Guilty as charged I've noticed when the birds are feeding young they are on such a mission they give little care about me, especially the BH gouldian's as they have nine chicks at the moment. I have to be careful when giving them the container through the little access door just behind the birds in the pic as the gould's are sitting waiting for it. If anything rather than fleeing from me they act as if I'm getting in the road, which when you think about it i am.

I don't mix the seed with anything else just give it to them by it self.

Cheers Nathan

Great photos Nathan. Looks like your birds are having a ball...and so are you!

Nice birds natham its good to see the birds lovin the green seed.
cheers flavio

Hi Nathan,

Yes I have noticed that when my goulds have young they are also waiting on the feed station (similar to yours) for their food.....mine don't have much chance of escaping though as I wake up at 5AM to give them their food....as the avairy is well lit up at that stage they obviously don't even think about flying out....time for you to get out of bed earlier and enjoy your birds more and the best part is there is no kids/wife to disturb your bird time

Cheers
Paul

Great advice Paul for us early risers...but really difficult for the night owls!!