Live food

[Johno]

I want to give my finches some live food, but where is the best place to buy it?

Also how do you make your own live food at home?

Im talking about white ants, maggots and meal worms. Any other live food you can give to your finches?

[fluffy_stitch]

you will probably find them in a bait store or even a petstore though i have read and even been told by a vet that some live food like mealworms and waxworms are dangerous because if they are swallowed alive that they can try to eat their way out the stomach!!!!!!!! i have also read you can make sure they are dead by dropping them in boiling water for a few seconds although that is a bit gruesome!!!!

[birdlady49]

I used to feed mealworms to my finches. They would bite off their heads, then swallow the body. I'm being graphic about their eating habits because the previous poster thought mealworms would kill the "predator" by trying to escape. You're reading way too much Stephen King!

The problem with mealworms is that some DO escape before they're eaten. Then they turn into beetles. That's when I stopped feeding mealworms. I was able to give protein via less "scary" means.

Most petstores sell mealworms. They're kept in the refrigerator so they essentially "hibernate" and come alive when warmed to room temperature before feeding.

I can't answer your questions about other live meals.

[birdsnreps]

sorry im answering this post late. are you trying to give your birds more protein by giving them live food?? if so, there are other foods you can give them besides mealworms, that we KNOW are safe. i wouldnt give my finches or canaries live food, but thats just me. hard boiled egg is wonderful for protein, and its always a favorite for every bird we have. you can also cook them chicken or turkey, most birds will chow down on that too.