Please Help. Seed wastage with Javan Munias

[Aussie_Bengo]

Hi there,

Last week I picked up a pair of Javan Munias and since then I have discovered a great deal of wastage in the Finch Mix that I give. I had noticed this before when I had a Javan Munia previously but I had actually assumed that it was my Fife Canary looking for canary seed and such. I put in another feeder with dedicated Canary Mix and around that time I had moved the Javan Munia on. I had thought that I had solved the Canary problem but now because of this significant amount of wastage I am getting since picking up my little Javan's I am positive it was then and is now because of the Javan Munias.
Here is a picture of my Finch Mix, I've been getting it from Rob at Ace Collony Aviaries and I am sure it is a good standard mix.

Finch Mix.jpg

It looks to me like there is;
-Half to three quarters Millets
and a small amount of
-Red Panicum
-Canary Seed
-Wheat

I have a lot to learn about the various seeds and the particular diets of different finches but obviously these guys are looking for some thing (or things) specifically.

Can anyone help with this?

Cheers

[cookey]

I learnt not to buy the finch mixes because a lot of it was going to waste. I now buy the individual different seeds and mix my own. This means that over time, I have tailored the seed mix to suit the birds taste and hence, less wastage.

Others will have more informationn but my mix was a trial and error approach until I got it right.

[Brooksy]

I do the same as cookey, i buy white & jap millet, red & plain panicum, plain canary and Niger (for the gold finches)
Each seed goes in a separate container, there is hardly any wastage. you just watch them jump from one container to another depending on which seed there there after.
Maybe not for everyone but works great for me

[Danny]

Sound more to me like you need to change the feed station or the extras - My javans (and all my finches) eat the mix they are provided - when it is 80% gone I supply them with more. Seed is a base to the diet, not the primary source of nutrition so it the supplements they should be consuming with gusto.

[Craig52]

Mate have you tried sprouting that seed,give it ago to see what percentage sprouts. 90%+ should sprout and if it dosn't get your seed else where. cheers Craig

[Lonchura]

Are you keeping the Javans in a mixed collection or by themselves?

[Aussie_Bengo]

In a mixed collection. Only 4 other birds in a small flight. Gouldian, Strawberry, Cordon Bleu and a Canary. I think the Javan's have been in a pet shop for a long time. I have been giving them all some lebanese cucumber, sprouted seed and seed mixed with a small amount of cod liver oil but they are still digging through the seed a lot more than the birds were before. I have noticed in the seed that is left that there is never any of the wheat left there I might try and buy some to put into the cage separately.

[Lonchura]

I would try like Cookey and Brooksy suggested. Spend some time; divide your current seed mix into separate grains. Place a small amount of each into individual containers and see who prefers eating what.
The seed I feed my Javans is 'Greens and Grains' with a little red panic and some Canary. Some hulled Oats, corn on the cob, pig weed, thistle and a lot of fresh local green seed heads when breeding.

Do you know you have a pair? DNA testing has revealed we have a shortage of hens in south-east Queensland.

Any chance of posting a photo or two of your new Javans?

[Aussie_Bengo]

Thanks for the good feedback everyone!

Lonchura, I would hate to disappoint you but the Javan Munias that I picked up are not ideal specimens of the wild form. They are similar to the one I have had previously that is either a mutation that is creating dark patches on the underbody, or from previous crossing (but they are that small I doubt that they would have any Bengalese in them) or from Melanism from being in a Shop for too long although the patterned nature of these markings suggests not and the finches have looked the same for a few months that I have known about them. I will be sending some finches to be stored at my Families aviary in Adelaide in the next few months so I decided to adopt these guys for the future when I move into a house later and bring my finches back.
I have only seen one of them crow so far.

JM3e.jpg

JM4e.jpg

Was it the "Elenbee" Greens and Grains that you use?

I will also be picking up a pair of Javan Munias off a friend in the next weekend or so and he has said that they have some markings on the underbelly and presumes they have some Bengo blood in them.


I do have one friend that has quite nice clean Wild type Javan Munias and has raised a clutch this year so I will be keeping close touch with him in the future as they are very good birds.

Cheers All

[Craig52]

very unusual birds,i would say they are crossed with spice finches.PPPPlease don't breed them back into Javans there is enough crap out there already
cheers Craig