Aussie Finch Forum

Can anyone help me with the best food for European Goldfinches? I have been advised to give them Canary seed, millet, greens. I am finding they are not doing as well as I would like. Would appreciate help!

Typical dry seed mix 1 part yellow panicum, 1 part red panicum, 2 parts white french millet, 1 part canary seed, 2 parts jap millet. Have you wormed them out?

Hi Buzzdot,

[quote="buzzdot"]I am finding they are not doing as well as I would like[/quote
Do they look sick or do you mean something else?
If unwell, goldfinches stress easily and are susceptible to coccidiosis and megabacteria infections.

How long have you had them? What kind of set-up are they in? (Cage, Aviary, Cabinets)

Thanks! The goldfinches are housed in a large outside aviary with 10 other Australian finches. I tend to have a separate feeder for the goldfinches, as they waste seed if I mix their feed with the other finch feed. I have been advised to feed them canary mix, however as previously mentioned, I feel they require more.

Do you supply anything else other than dry seed and water?

I put fresh greens in every day, and meals worms every 3rd day. They are both loosing feathers on their head only, and I am not sure if its the other finches, or they are stressed, or ? I am also trying to find European style hanging goldfinch feeder, here in Australia, with not much luck, to try and prevent them wasting so much seed.

Myzomela wrote:susceptible to coccidiosis and megabacteria

Apart from what Myzomela has said which is treatable and mainly contracted in the tropical zones, they could just be going through moult if at all concerned you could add moult aid to there seed. How long have they been like it?

Hi Buzzard,

The megabacteria occurs in the wild-caught birds from southern Australia ( eg Victoria), not necessarily in the tropics. It usually is brought on by stress ( aren't all diseases?)

Your moulting comment is a good one and definitely worth considering.

Myzomela wrote:The megabacteria occurs in the wild-caught birds from southern Australia

Yes your correct I should have worded it better, thanks for clearing it up ,I actually meant Coccidia although the way the weather has been who would know. I am only assuming that the birds are settled, in a stress free environment.