Aussie Finch Forum

I was wondering when feeding greens to our finchy friends, should greens be shredded / chopped / diced or just left whole??

My birds simply look at anything that looks remotely like a green leafy vegetable and do what most kids do - ignore them!!!

My BH Gouldians love egg and biscuit mix and will nibble on Passwells whereas the RH Gouldians are the reverse.

The Zebras will munch on anything that seems to a seed (unless it is like broccoli LOL)

So do I simply have fussy birds or is there some deep dark secret that will enable me to unlock the way to have them go green??????

I go whole simply bcause I dont have the time and because they dont get shredded etc in nature. Fussy yes at times they all can be. I think the best approach is that you offer variety, ceylon spinach, chickweed and salt bush are usually relished. Not all birds will routinly eat greens. Try also some fresh weed heads, eg green panic.

i shred my processed frozen corn carrot and peas, to give them a mixture of size to eat.works alright they dont leave to much.

I give mine bok choy and endive and they usually all have a go at it. Im trialling some other greenery, more on that in the next newsletter

What I would really like to get is some of the green/milk seed, like the seed Lowes advertise, but the quantities are far too much me to use or even consider selling on as I just couldn't afford the outlay to bring a pallet down here. I do grow my own Johnston and Guinea grass but its never enough.

I would say keep giving it to them, sometimes reluctant to try new things or as you say they could be fussy. Try milkthistle or chickweed they're usually devoured.

Guinea grass and purple fountain grass and any seeding thistle, weeds grass. But trying to keep up the supply.
LML

I just give dandelion leaves whole and whole milkthistle plants and they love it. Funny though, when I put bock choy or silverbeeet they wont touch it. They certainly can be fussy little devils!!

Spoton, you need a red-faced parrotfinch or a canary..... they will show the rest what is good for them monkey see monkey do!
short of that persevere and your finches will catch on.
your zebras will catch on soon.
my birds wouldnt survive on dry seed only, let alone breed.

If having trouble convincing them to try broadleaf greens, try pegging a fresh leaf up with a few green seedheads or small bunch of chickweed attached.

on that note tiaris...

i have found a big difference in how much silverbeet is eaten depending on how i "present" it: if i just shred it or simply put it in a bowl, a few birds will have a pick at it, but there will be a shriveled up wasted glob left in the morning. BUT, if i peg/clamp the whole leaf so that it stands vertically, it gets DEMOLISHED, right down to the white stalk, and sometimes even that goes! it has been the same aviary where i tested this and they still prefer it standing up, give it a shot