need advice of feeding Gouldians

[Jeannie Marchant]

I've wanted Gouldians for years. I got two males and two females last week. The breeder fed finch seed, millet, eggs and veggies.

1. What is a good brand of finch seed?
2. What is a good brand of millet?
3. What about throwing some Zupreem pellets in there too?
4. What are finches favorite veggies?

I've read about Goulians but there'a nothing like experience from bird folks like the ones on birdboard. Any wisdom for keeping my sweeties happy and healthy would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jeannie

[huntress]

I dont usually buy brands when it comes to seed. I buy bulk and look for clean, bright, fresh looking seed. Same with millet, I dont stick with one brand, I buy 5 lb boxes and check for bright plump yellowish sprays with NO bugs or mold. Quiko egg food is a great brand of egg food that keeps well and mix it with the "rusk" to keep it moist. The "carrot" enhancer takes a long time to rehydrate and most birds Ive had dont like it as much as the rusk. Zupreem natural is OK if they will eat it. Finches seem to like dark leafy greens like leaf lettuces, kale, swiss chard and mine used to really like carrot tops and a little parsley but not too often. A little spinich once in awhile is good but too much is detrimental to their calcium absorption. Finches seem to like egg bisquits they sell for them too.

[fairestfinches]

We have our own private lable seed we offer our birds and our customers. It is fresh and sprouts in no time. We carry California Golden Spray Millet, and the full line of Morning Bird products, as well as some Hagen products. We also have a fresh eggfood recipe on our site we have developed and share. Check out our web site for complete details on what we feed and use with our Goulds. fairestfinches.com

Sean

[poohbear]

Any decent quality foreign finch mix will do for Gouldians,preferably one with a high content of canary seed.When I see pellets growing in the wild I'll use them.Mine are fed fresh eggfood twice a week...daily when breeding.Hard boil an egg and grate it,it doesn't take long to do and far better than the boxed stuff.(Save the eggshells microwave on high for a minute then crush and add to the grit pot)
Collect seeding grasses from the wild in season the birds love it.
Don't forget fine grit,oystershell,grated cuttlefish bone,with a bit of charcoal added, important for egg laying hens.
Every couple of weeks I add a few drops of multivitamins to the eggfood.

Paul....
Breeding Gouldians for over 40 years.

[huntress]

Ah, just make sure the grasses have not been sprayed. If you dont know for absoulut sure - dont do it. Around here they spray the road cuts like crazy

[christie99]

Don't forget that goulds need a higher intake of iodine in their systems.

I have also heard of them eating meal worms, I haven't tried it myself, but they will pull meal worms out of the grammarious patte that I purchese from Lady Gouldian Finch.com – Superior Birds, Supplements, Medications & Supplies They also have a dry egg food for when I am not home and cannot remove the fresh egg food soon enough.

[Jeannie Marchant]

Thank you all sooo much for the advice. It's much appreciated. Please add any other tip you think I should know.

Jeannie