Winter Feeding

[lyn2233]

Hi, My finches are in two outdoor aviaries I was wondering do they breed all year. I have Stars, Red-Parrot, Cordons and Orange Breasted in one aviary(12 birds). I feed them different seeds, live food, lots of grasses, cucumber, corn, grit.I have heard people talk about a winter diet does anyone know what that is. Some of these birds still are making nests and laying eggs but nothing seems to happen. Will they keep making nests all the winter. The other aviary has 3 prs of Painted finches, 1pr seem to keep breeding everytime there young have stop feeding. How can I stop them from breeding the aviary has lots of bushes and trees so I can't take nesting material out. Will they stop by themselves?

[jusdeb]

My finch menu is the same year round depending on seasonal greens the only thing I add in winter is seeds high in omega 3s . The birds seem to know they need the extra oil in the diet coz any other time of the year they wont touch the stuff .
My short list of available omega 3s are .
Niger
Rape
Lettuce
Linseed
Of course there would be more so google seeds high in blah blah to get an idea .
In case of a seed shortage such as was last winter here cod liver oil can be mixed in with the seed to boost the calorie / omegas .
Hope this helps

[finchbreeder]

Like Deb basically same diet all year round. Accept for lots more seeding grasses when I can get them. Taking nests out is the most effective way to stop birds breeding or you can be very strong willed and take the eggs away.
LML

[gomer]

I have added extra black seeds last week,Plus breeding aid and cod liver oil to the seed.

[BENSONSAN]

same as gomer cod liver oil in seed here to. Just be sure to only leave the cod liver oil seen in for one day only otherwise it goes rancid

[iaos]

Would it be possible to mix cod liver oil with sprouted seed for freezing?

Cheers
Ian

[lyn2233]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[gomer]

Would it be possible to mix cod liver oil with sprouted seed for freezing?

Cheers
Ian

good question .Hopefully somone knows abit about freezing stuff.

[iaos]

I already freeze my sprouted seed without any dramas. Just not sure what difference the oil would make to the freezing.

[BENSONSAN]

Havent tried..but its easy just to mix it at the end. Safer probably to i would say. Ive mixed all sorts of stuff with the sprouted seed.

Ben