FINCHES
HOUSING
I try to give my birds as large an enclosure as is possible. Even though they are small birds, they are very active. They need lots of room in which to fly in order to stay healthy and happy. A cage 30"x 18"x 18" is the smallest size I would use. Of course, an aviary, either inside or outside is the ideal, but, unfortunately, my situation at present does allow for such a setup.
Munching wheat grass |
Owls chowing down |
Lights - Finches need full spectrum light to remain healthy. Birds kept inside need some form of lighting. Sunlight shining through glass loses many of its beneficial rays and the birds lose the benefit of essential vitamins. Thus, I have chosen to use full spectrum lights over each cage. After much research I decided to use bulbs made especially for use with birds. See my links page for the sources I used.
Cleaning - Sanitary conditions are essential to maintaining the health of your birds. And that's a real challenge, as birds are not by nature good housekeepers. I soak all dishes, baths and water receptacles once a week in a 20% bleach solution for 20 minutes. When needed I spray a solution of Enviroclens** or Novolsan*** on cages and metal dishes. I keep newspaper on the bottom of the cages at all times, even if there is a pan or a grill at the bottom of the cage. I usually put in quite a pile of newspapers, so I can easily peel off one each time I do the birds' cages. Once a day is OK, 2-3 days all right, more than that I'd be cautious of. Not only does the newspaper help keep the cage clean by frequent changing, but you can monitor any change in the birds' droppings. Birds will hide an illness until it is almost to the critical stage. It is part of their genetic heritage to keep predators from finding them. By monitoring changes in droppings, you can stay one step ahead of any potential illness and take quick action.
Plants in the cages- Take care when placing plants in the cages with the birds, as some can be harmful to them. If ever in question, check this link to know for sure Safe & harmful plants and fumes. Also note that this site has a list of common household fumes that can be harmful to finches. This is very important to be aware of, as we often don't think of how sensitive the small lungs of our little friends are.
DIET
Seed - Contrary to what most people may believe, seed is not the food of birds. It is only a part. In the wild most birds, finches included, eat a variety of vegetables, insects and ripe seeds. A bird keeper needs to include these in some form with seed as part of a healthy diet. For dry seed I give my birds a good finch mixed with white proso millet and canary seed and have it available at all times. For other sorts of finches not on my website, ask around for the right seed mix. For instance, I've just acquired a pair of European Goldfinches. Their seed mix needs are different from my other birds. They need a good canary mix and a spattering of fatty seeds.
Sprouted Seed - I give my birds sprouted seed each day. It is the closest equivalent to ripe seeds in the wild for them. I soak the seed no more than 12 hours, adding 6 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract** to the water to prevent the growth of bacteria. I rinse it well the next day and refrigerate any that I've not used for the following day. I often soak millet stalks cut into 1"-2" pieces. Even some of my picky Gouldians love it and I can sprinkle any supplement on it and be sure they will consume it. But if you get them used to any good quality finch mix soaked as I suggest, it is just as nutritious.
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Vegetables - I offer a variety of mixed greens and vegetables to the finches each day. If the vegetables are not organic, I soak them in a weak bleach solution. This draws out pesticides and pollutants from the vegetables. Some of the vegetables I give are romaine lettuce, kale, chard, broccoli, peas, carrots, carrot tops, dandelion, cucumber, cilantro, and any other greens you might have. The important thing with the greens is not to use one that is not green. For instance, iceberg lettuce has little or not nutrition for the birds. The greens and carrots I chop in a food processor so that the vegetables are bite size. I also give them wheat grass together with the dirt it was sprouted in to munch 2-3 times per week. They enjoy taking the bunch of wheat grass apart, eating what they like and putting some into nests. I've also started sprouting canola seed, until the tiny seedling appears. I give the birds the seedlings in the pot and it is devoured in a day or two. It gives them a chance to do more of what they do in nature- hunt for food in the earth. Some finches will also eat apples, oranges and other fruits. Check with an experienced finch breeder if you are in doubt about which vegetables or fruits to feed your birds. Some are not good for them. European Goldfinches, zebras, spice finches and societies will eat apples. My owls and goulds don't seem interested in any fruit I've given them.
Tasty wheat grass |
Society finches at the food bowl |
Eggfood - The birds get eggfood three times a week. Breeding or molting birds are given it every day. My eggfood recipe includes 3-4 hard-boiled eggs, cooled in the refrigerator, peeled (I bake the eggshells and serve in the Dish of Dirt described below) and chopped in a mini food processor. Into the food processor I add 1 tsp each of Daily Essentials 3*, Proboost Supermax*, Probiotic*, Feather-up*, depending on what the birds need. When they're breeding, I use the Proboost Supermax each time. This is mixed with Petamine Breeding Formula until crumbly. I get the Petamine at a local feed store. Then I add 2-3 tsp (or more) of Wheat Germ Oil*** and more Petamine Formula. The mixture should be in pea-size crumbs, on the dry side. I make extra and freeze it in baggies for later use. Some breeders are concerned about eggfood spoiling during the day. I make mine on the dry side, so that rather than spoiling, it dries out.
Vitamins & Minerals - I use filtered faucet water for my finches, but there are those who use city or well water with success. As my birds eat most of the eggfood and other foods I give them, I put supplements in their water only once a week or every two weeks - Daily Essentials 2*, nd Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar*** - 5 days a week and Caliciboost* and Liquid Kelp* 2 of the 5 days a week. The birds get plain filtered the rest of the time. Sometimes I add some Cider Vinegar one of these days.Not only does it help to keep bacteria from growing in the water, but mother-of-vinegar is known for its special qualities. (See this site for more information**) Kelp is important in the Goulds' diet. It keeps them from balding.
Calcium is essential to the health of the all birds. Especially during breeding, hens need sufficient calcium in order not to become egg bound. When they are breeding, give them all the baked eggshells and oyster shell they want to prevent egg binding in hens, which can lead to death. I have found my birds are very partial to baked eggshells. Since I often don't have enough eggshells for them, I I've started ordering them from the AudubonSociety.
Also on this site 'a dish of dirt' is described first suggested by The Birdman of Alcatraz.** I tried it and found that the birds do love it. To this I add organic compost or soil (with no additives or pearlite), bird charcoal, oyster shell, kosher salt, bee pollen (when I have it) and baked egg shells.
NEW: To the dish of dirt I also add 1 kind of regular bird grit and 2 kinds of digestible grit to provide a more natural source of minerals (courtesy of Delmar Gouldians recipe). I try to have this available at all times, especially for breeding birds that need the extra minerals.
Also from Delmar Gouldians I have started to give my birds oiled seed once a week or every two weeks. To 4 cups of seed I add 1 t. each of Cod Liver Oil (flavored kind is fine) and Wheat Germ Oil. It supports birds getting ready to breed and helps those going through a molt. I'm also trying out her recipe for a kelp/alfalfa mix, a good source of protein and dry greens.
For over a year now I've added a mixture of herbs to the birds' diet 2-3 times a week in a small treat dish. I'm hoping to catch any illnesses before they manifest by using the herbs as well as support the general health of my birds. It can be found at TwinBeaksAviary. I've found that the birds will now clean out the dish in a day or two, so I give it more often. At this time I do have a healthy flock of birds. All these changes may have been for the better.
*available at sites listed under shops
on Links
**available or written about on
LadyGouldianFinch.com
***available in health food stores
****available at many pet stores and less expensive than Environclens
Copyright © 2003 Mary Delle LeBeau Please e-mail me if this site does not function optimally. |
HOUSING
& DIET
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Baby
gould trying sprouted seed. It's not
