mealworms not popular

[cordo54]

I have noted my finches are not real keen on the mealworms.I have a constant supply of termites in the aviary which the birds devour, but decided to introduce mealworms for a change.The cordon hen has a go at them but just seems to bite their heads off and kill them but not eat the whole worm.Rfp finches have a look but don't do much else.Anyone else seen this.Are they too used to the termites.Whats the go!

[Buzzard-1]

Termites are like chocolate to birds, and mealies are just an average treat.

[cordo54]

The king Quails absolutely smash them though.Guess ill just use them as quail food instead.

[Buzzard-1]

How big are the mealies ?

[cordo54]

I usually throw in a dozen of different sized worms cause i know they like the mini's.

[Buzzard-1]

Yea that was what I was wondering, I was going to suggest minis

[cordo54]

How do you rate maggots? i haven't bothered with them so far as there are heaps of termites around the area i live so i find it easier just knocking a nest down off the side of a tree and feeding them out.Maggots sound like to much work.Do the birds go for the maggots like termites?

[Buzzard-1]

It's only my opinion but you can't beat termites, I personally haven't tried gentiles as like you I have copious quantities of termites readily available. I do know a few breeders who use them with good results. If I couldn't source termites gentiles would be my next choice.

[cordo54]

Thanks for the tips Buzzard 1. I'll keep feeding the termites.

[Craig52]

Gday Cordo, termites are the chocies of live food for finches,but unfortuatly they are the curse for other breeders who might purchase your excess stock.Many finches such as cordons,blue caps and all the pytillias,that have been fed on termites and nothing else for livefood,will never produce young without them.There are alot of breeders out there,who have switched to maggots from termites and still getting great results[i'm one of them] It's a slow process by mixing your termites and bushfly maggots together and slowly reducing the amount of termites to the mix until theres none at all over afew weeks
A lot of finch breeders these days want buy termite fed birds for the simple reasonthat they cant get termites or they dont want to feed them
Anyhow,sorry about woffoling on but a good mix of livefoods is better than just one,try also vinager flies and percevier?with the small mealworms
cheers Craig