Termites no good?

[McGrath]

hi all

I have tried to feed termites to my finches befor and they were just not interested.
Are there any secrets to getting finches to eat them? and what is the best way of offering them?
are there any dietary problems with termites?

so many questions..

[Danny]

What termite species are you feeding (nest type) and what bird species??

[McGrath]

im using under ground termites. just a small bump above ground
im keeping red brows, gouldians, orange brests, double bars, fires, cubans, longtails, blue face parrotfinch, diamonds, yellow rumps and canaries
does that help?

[desertbirds]

Termites are great live food but be wary of large wood eating types, the soldiers scare me let alone finches.There are so many types it can be very confusing.If yor finches arent intersted then i would say you have the wrong termites or finches that dont require them.

[Trilobite]

Yes check your termite species you are collecting, 2 types the birds wont take to are ones with soldiers (bigger more active and sometines with coloured head) where they have large mouth parts (mandbles hat bite) and those that have a pointy head (not tassie termites - sorry couldnt resist) that can squirt out a very stinky/sticky or burning compounds.

There are over several hundred species in Aust so shop around. If they dont take them, then they must not need them - if your cubans and fires are not taking them with newly hatched young then they do not need them. Like all things a little and often is the go and it often takes a "judas" bird to lead the others to the termites to show them what they are missing.
Dont give up as they part of a good balanced diet as are maggots etc.

[McGrath]

ok thanks heaps for all that.
does anyone know if there are different types of termites within the nest??
like ants with guards and workers

cheers

[GregH]

There are many castes within each nest performing different functions. You want as many workers as possible and when you can get them the alates (winged) ones that leave as dusk sometimes in summer before sorms and are attracted to lights also make great food for birds with an insectivorous requirement.

[McGrath]

thanks heaps greg. thats really helpful.