Feeding European Goldfinches

Includes Species Profile
buzzdot
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Posts: 3
Joined: 06 Mar 2011, 15:36
Location: Stirling SA

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!
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Buzzard-1
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Posts: 4721
Joined: 27 May 2010, 21:24
Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

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?
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Myzomela
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Posts: 1545
Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
Location: Melbourne Vic

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.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
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Buzzard-1
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Posts: 4721
Joined: 27 May 2010, 21:24
Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

How long have you had them? What kind of set-up are they in? (Cage, Aviary, Cabinets)
buzzdot
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Posts: 3
Joined: 06 Mar 2011, 15:36
Location: Stirling SA

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.
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Buzzard-1
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Joined: 27 May 2010, 21:24
Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

Do you supply anything else other than dry seed and water?
buzzdot
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Posts: 3
Joined: 06 Mar 2011, 15:36
Location: Stirling SA

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.
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Buzzard-1
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Joined: 27 May 2010, 21:24
Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

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?
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Myzomela
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Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
Location: Melbourne Vic

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.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
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Buzzard-1
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Joined: 27 May 2010, 21:24
Location: Narrabri North West NSW
Location: North West NSW

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.
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