Thank you for the link, Synchronized.
BBkat, the fresh food is a supplement to their diet. There are some things that birds don't get from seeds alone, so it's not uncommon to feed some here and there.
For example, my lovebird was given seed and pelleted food along with the occasional millet sprig and was given fruit and veggies at least three days in the week.
Pets
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Re: Pets
They're not really domesticated The "balanced diet" seed mixes are only balanced if the birds eat every single kind of seed in the mix-- millet tends to make up the majority of the mixes, and is very fatty in large amounts for birds. Birds are extremely attracted to foods like this and will choose it over most other seeds in a mix. Fruits and veggies are an extremely necessary part of any birds' diet to give them nutrition they're missing from seeds and pellets.BBkat wrote:Wouldn't domestic finches have a similar diet to their wild relatives-i.e gold finches, purple finches, house finches...? Those one I know love sunflower seeds and whatever else is in the finch birdseed mix. The shape of their bills are designed for cracking open seeds. I'd suggest buy finch mix bird seed.
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Re: Pets
On finches and feeding- I mixed canary/ finch diet with a wild finch mix, it seemed to have a lot more different kinds of seeds, and they seemed to enjoy it. I also added a red colored egg food to help with needed protein and color enhancement.
Finely shredded fruits and veggies are good. Pretty much anything parrot safe is fine for finches too.
Citrus being on the 'no' list is a new one for me. My guys enjoyed a bit of orange now and again. I would just clip a wedge to the cage side, or leave it in their treat bowl and they would nibble on it.
The wheat grass was always a favorite. Sprouts, such as alfalfa, radish, clover, etc were readily nommed. Just stay away from lettuce and go for dark leafy like collards, mustard greens and spinach.
Feeding quirks- use shallow, dishes. Because they hull their seeds, you'll end up with a layer of empty shells on top, and a finch can starve to death amazingly fast. They also like to throw seed around to find their favorites, so the shallow dish lets you have a lot less wasted food.
To introduce new foods, put the treat where the normal food is usually found, and leave it there for a few hours before giving them their normal food. Many finches, especially Zeebs are naturally curious and may check out the new food immediately. Shier birds, such as Gouldians may avoid it until they are certain it's not going to eat them. They're the same way about toys. Finches don't do much with shredable toys, but they do like shiny and stringy things.
Finely shredded fruits and veggies are good. Pretty much anything parrot safe is fine for finches too.
Citrus being on the 'no' list is a new one for me. My guys enjoyed a bit of orange now and again. I would just clip a wedge to the cage side, or leave it in their treat bowl and they would nibble on it.
The wheat grass was always a favorite. Sprouts, such as alfalfa, radish, clover, etc were readily nommed. Just stay away from lettuce and go for dark leafy like collards, mustard greens and spinach.
Feeding quirks- use shallow, dishes. Because they hull their seeds, you'll end up with a layer of empty shells on top, and a finch can starve to death amazingly fast. They also like to throw seed around to find their favorites, so the shallow dish lets you have a lot less wasted food.
To introduce new foods, put the treat where the normal food is usually found, and leave it there for a few hours before giving them their normal food. Many finches, especially Zeebs are naturally curious and may check out the new food immediately. Shier birds, such as Gouldians may avoid it until they are certain it's not going to eat them. They're the same way about toys. Finches don't do much with shredable toys, but they do like shiny and stringy things.
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Re: Pets
Newest Sam Ravenburd video.
Anyone who has ever considered having a pet corvid needs to watch this video.
Go to the actual page to see the description that goes with it. I list just about all the destruction he wreaked.
Sorry about the borked sound towards the end. There was an error between the microphone and the user. *cough* Hawke had her finger over the microphone...
... and yes... I did step on a kitten's tail at 1:20. She's fine.
Anyone who has ever considered having a pet corvid needs to watch this video.
Go to the actual page to see the description that goes with it. I list just about all the destruction he wreaked.
Sorry about the borked sound towards the end. There was an error between the microphone and the user. *cough* Hawke had her finger over the microphone...
... and yes... I did step on a kitten's tail at 1:20. She's fine.
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Re: Pets
How have I not posted here yet..?
I own three ferrets - two males and a female. All of them are fixed, and they've never shown any aggression issues towards each other. Aiko (dark-eyed white), Akuma (a sable), and Gidget (another sable, lighter in color) have been a joy since the day I got them. Of course, living in California, I tend to run into the idiots who think they're dangerous rabies-carriers who'll chew the faces off of babies and start World War III...
That's them in the bath Starting at the top and moving clockwise, it's Akuma, Gidget, and Aiko.
I also have four of the most awesome dogs in the world.
From front to back - Oreo (black and white pit bull mix, determined to shred herself to pieces by chasing rabbits into cacti), Scratch (German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees mix, missing half of a lip from a fight with a coyote), Aurora (Malamute mix, dumb as a box of rocks but SO sweet), and Buffy (Scratch's younger sister from a different litter - obviously resembles the Pyrenees more than the shepherd). Unfortunately, since we live in the middle of $%^&-all nowhere in the desert - yes, that is a lot of snow for the desert - they hunt. A lot. They've brought home everything from small birds to jackrabbits the size of house cats. The thing is, we feed them well! Aurora is shaped like a freaking barrel, even in the summer!! Part of that is just her breed, but she's definitely a well-fed dog.
I own three ferrets - two males and a female. All of them are fixed, and they've never shown any aggression issues towards each other. Aiko (dark-eyed white), Akuma (a sable), and Gidget (another sable, lighter in color) have been a joy since the day I got them. Of course, living in California, I tend to run into the idiots who think they're dangerous rabies-carriers who'll chew the faces off of babies and start World War III...
Spoiler
I also have four of the most awesome dogs in the world.
Spoiler
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Re: Pets
I currently have three cats: one 14-year-old female domestic shorthair called Mitzie, and two nine-month-old male domestic shorthairs called Julian (Juju) and Max. Mitz was a Christmas present when I was 10...we decided that my older cat, KM (now deceased), needed a companion, so we trekked over to the Animal Welfare League and selected Mitz. Juju and Max are brothers, and I fostered them and their other siblings for three months last year before I came overseas to study; I noticed a month ago that they hadn't found homes yet, and adopted them in absentia...that is to say, I gave my mum the money to buy them, filled out all the forms electronically, and mum picked them up and is taking care of them until I come home in June.
I've had lots of other pets over the years, including but not limited to: three dogs (a Golden Retriever and two Border Collies), a budgie, two frogs, three Bearded Dragons, a ferret, and two other cats (including KM, who died last year at the age of 19...I'd had her since I was four years old). When I'm at home, I'm also a foster carer for Little Paws Kitten Rescue, and have fostered and rehomed 40+ kittens in 2010 and 2011. Juju and Max were two of these...their siblings, Felix and April, found a home together three months ago.
I've had lots of other pets over the years, including but not limited to: three dogs (a Golden Retriever and two Border Collies), a budgie, two frogs, three Bearded Dragons, a ferret, and two other cats (including KM, who died last year at the age of 19...I'd had her since I was four years old). When I'm at home, I'm also a foster carer for Little Paws Kitten Rescue, and have fostered and rehomed 40+ kittens in 2010 and 2011. Juju and Max were two of these...their siblings, Felix and April, found a home together three months ago.
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Re: Pets
They are likely reacting like that because ferrets are illegal to own in California. Where did you get them? How do you get vet care for them? What do you feed yours?chubbychoco wrote:How have I not posted here yet..?
I own three ferrets - two males and a female. All of them are fixed, and they've never shown any aggression issues towards each other. Aiko (dark-eyed white), Akuma (a sable), and Gidget (another sable, lighter in color) have been a joy since the day I got them. Of course, living in California, I tend to run into the idiots who think they're dangerous rabies-carriers who'll chew the faces off of babies and start World War III...
That's them in the bath Starting at the top and moving clockwise, it's Akuma, Gidget, and Aiko.Spoiler
You'd be best to NOT share with folks that you have them. If the authorities find out, they can be confiscated and immediately euthanized, and you can be fined or even go to jail. Not good.
All that said, they are ADORABLE, and look to be in good health. Mine never liked bath time. They spent the whole time trying to escape from the tub. Fortunately, they didn't need baths more than a couple times a year unless they got into something really messy or sticky.
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Re: Pets
We have a new kitten. Our vegetable lady at the farmer's market rescued the litter, which was wandering around in traffic without a mommy. He's about four weeks old, a chocolate brown tuxedo cat with grey eyes. Already been to the vet and is clear of parasites and disease. His name is Crowley and we just started transitioning him from bottle to saucer and canned kitten food (needs both for a while bevause he was literally starving when we got him).
Speaking of vets, I love our new one. I hadn't intended to tell them about our other pets because the previous vet had been such an ass about how many we owned snd threatened to confiscate them ( even though we have s large house on five acres and they are all very well cared for, not to ention loved). These guys didn't think we had too many and they are willing to treat them all. In fact, they understood why I had been holding off some types of care and said they would help me get caught back up. No condemnation. No condescention. The only think they care about is the pets.
Speaking of vets, I love our new one. I hadn't intended to tell them about our other pets because the previous vet had been such an ass about how many we owned snd threatened to confiscate them ( even though we have s large house on five acres and they are all very well cared for, not to ention loved). These guys didn't think we had too many and they are willing to treat them all. In fact, they understood why I had been holding off some types of care and said they would help me get caught back up. No condemnation. No condescention. The only think they care about is the pets.