Aussie Finch Forum

I recently purchased a pair of double bars, red brows and chestnut breasted mannikins and was just curious to find out what type of breeding diets people use for these species. I've done other research but i'm just looking to get a better idea of what I should provide and what they love to eat.
What have you used to successfully breed these birds, and do they have specific preferences?


Thanks in advance, any advice is appreciated

All 3 love seeding grass heads fed regularly. My Redbrows also love casuarina seed.

Agree with Tiaris re giving them as manay seed heads as you can give them access to that they can eat in a day.
I have had success with all three species giving them the following in addition to the above:
Good breeder mix of seeds
Sprouted seed
Softfood mix
grits
Greens - spinach, saltbush, chicory etc
Live food - mealies, maggots (available all day long) and occasionally crickets and roaches.
Have fun!

Thanks Tiaris and Trilobite

I have fairly good access to seed heads ( I live on a property so can get a fair few), ill make sure to use the others with them. I already use a few of the other suggestions for my other birds

For the live food though, i have never really had much experience with maggots. Only ever use mealies, and termites when i find some.

I have a pair of Redbrows with young in the nest at the moment & they are hitting the termites pretty hard each day, but generally don't touch them when they don't have young to feed. So if you can get them, they do like termites whilst breeding.

That's good to know, thanks. Ill make sure to try get some if they go to nest.