Aussie Finch Forum

My local stockist gave me a 20kg bag of Riverina finch mix to try. Before giving it to the birds, I was wondering if anyone has used this brand and if they found it acceptable. My usual seed mix is from Golden Cobb. Choice of finch seeds or any other bird produce for that matter is very limited, locally. Having another acceptable brand of seed mix could be useful, especially in the cyclone season when Cairns can be quite isolated from interstate freight.

Kenny,if looks good,clean and shiney give it ago,after all you got it for nothing and if they like it your 20kg in front when you go to get more. Craig

Throw some in a jar see how much sprouts....if its around 80% or more couldnt see a problem...

thanks guys

i will sprout some and see how it goes

Ken does the seed producer mention any other location apart from the Riverina on the bag.

If I have not used a seed mix before I would try sprouting a small amount of seed from each bag and compare the results with your current seed mix.

BTW....A quick ''Google' search reveals a company originally started at the flour mill in Narrandera (southern NSW) in 1927 was called Riverina (aust). Now a Brisbane based company which produces animal feed for the agriculture industry and exports grain and protein meals overseas. They currently operate mills in Brisbane, Murgon, Warwick, Oakey, Casino, Mackay with trading branch offices in Kingaroy, Oakey and Perth.

thanks for taking the trouble to research for me-much appreciated
it just says Riverina Australia Donkin st West End Qld The mix on the bag description are:

white french millet
red panicum
japanese millet
panorama millet
siberian millet
canary seed
canola seed
linseed
hulled oats
Min protein 10%
Min crude fibre 10%
He also gave me a bag of linseed -is it worthwhile adding that to the mix as well?
kenny

In WA we are lucky to get any bought seed to sprout as all seed into WA has to be treated and most of our seed comes from the east.

Cheers Greg.

where do ytou get your greg, I have no problem sprouting mine... pete

Hello,

I thought I'd put my two bobs worth in.

Deciding how good a mix is by sprouting has been discussed previously.

One guy did a pretty exhaustive test of different products and found wildly varying results.

The fact is that it is a very expensive exercise to have testing done to guarantee sprouting. Basically it triples the price at a wholesale level.

At Avigrain we introduced a sprouting mix which has been tested for germination, fungus and mould. Sales are very, very low - because the price is so high.

So no manufacturers do these tests. Which results in a situation where some of the time but not all of the time birdseed mixes will sprout - or not.

The fact is - as every bird breeder in WA will tell you - seed which will not germinate is not harmful or less nutritious to the point that it justifies the extra cost.

Still the myth persists!

Also - Riverina is owned by the Japanese industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi - just so you know.

And last - we hope that Avigrain will be available in North QLD soon - keep an eye out.

Cheers

Dennis @ Avigrain