Aussie Finch Forum

Hi,

Im just interested to know whether the standard cucumber can be used instead of lebanese cucumbers with finches? I feed leb cucumber often and most finches love the stuff. Also what is in it that makes it a valuable addition to the diet?

Hi,i don't think i've ever used lebanese cucumber,i have always used continental cucumbers(the one in the condom)from the supermarket,birds love them and eat them right down to the outer skin.
As far as their nutritional value is i'm not sure. Craig

I have seen leb advertised as "low" acidity. Perhaps this is why finches (and people) have a preference for it. In saying that I have never noticed other types of cucumber being acidic.

I've tried both....mine prefer leb! Mine might be cucumber snobs though!!!!

I have found both the Lebanese and the "Aussie" cucumbers are eaten withequal enjoyment by birds that eat cucumber. I do not buy the continental purely because of the ridiculous wrapping in gladwrap. I HATE cling wrap !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As to why it is such a valuable addition to finch diet, I think it is primarily its moist, pulpy consistency which makes it so desirable as a rearing food easy to regurgitate & feed to young & an ideal basis for mixing with livefood, seed, etc when feeding young. Obviously also holds useful nutrients as well but probably no more nutritious than various other green foods. I've seen many times very insectivorous finches which have dependent young feed firstly on their preferred livefood & then topup their crop with leb cucumber immediately before going to the nest to feed young. My finches have always preferred lebanese cucumber slightly over continental & significantly over the traditional (harder) dark green variety.