Nutrition
Nutrition is more complex than a seed mix and effects both physical and mental health
Purchasing a quality food mix (not from your local grocer) is a good start, however it doesn't end there! Supplying you finch with proper nutrition means understanding more than their basic needs. Just as a human needs a balanced diet, so do even the smallest birds.
The basal metabolic rate (BMR) of passerine birds is generally about 65% greater than that of non-passerines (parrots, etc), and their body temperature is about two degrees Centigrade higher (around 42°C). Zebra finches in particular may consume up to 30% of their body weight in food through the day. Inadequate food supply quickly results in hypoglycemia and death. Therefore the most important factor is to always have some form of food available in some form.
Lightback Male Zebra Finch
NOT FINICKY, JUST FORAGERS
Finches are Passeriformes (perching birds), but while this is a classification- remember that traits are unique between species. Finches are foragers- they enjoy rummaging around in things, pecking at things and pulling on things. However they have a delicate nature and will ‘gently’ consume items; notoriously hulling only the seed on the top of their dishes (roughly 1cm deep). The husks left behind which can quickly conceal the fresh seed below and gives owners the illusion of a ‘full seed dish’.
Because of their foraging nature, finches need an extremely varied diet preferably consisting of seasonal items. However this does not need to be complicated or time consuming to be successful.
You can adequately feed your finches a balanced diet with minimal or no extra financial investment. An advanced diet can be achieved by adding an extra 5.00 USD a month; preventing and curing disease- which is much cheaper than a vet bill or the pain of losing what will surely become a part of the family.
Dry Seed Mix I Recommend:
In addition to pellets, and fresh food, I make my own seed blend which consists of:
Red millet, nyger, white millet, canary grass, buckwheat, hemp, paddy rice, peeled oats, wild turnip, rolled oats, sorghum, safflower, wheat, linseed, sesame, lettuce, flax, chia and hemp.
For flavor there is citrus, dried honey and rosehips. There is added Vit A / D3, Calcium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Iodine, Copper, Manganese & Zinc and Echinacea.
Diet plays the most prominent role in development
My most recent study was conducted on a series of pairs- where I used an Advanced Nutrition Protocol on the pairs 1 month prior to breeding and throughout the development of the young.
Advanced nutrition comprises a wide scale manipulation of the diet to enhance development. The details are explained throughout this website, but generally: delivery of nutrients was changed for faster absorption, protein content was increased by 20% 1 month prior to breeding, and protein was also increased by 10% for the clutch as they developed. Key vitamin compounds were added, which included essential amino acids, A, E, trace minerals, iodine and B vitamins.
This is a prominent case study which allows us to understand the importance of not only selective breeding for health and mass, but also for dietary needs. Here is a case study below:
Ambrose (18 grams) and Angelica (16.5 grams) (1 yr old) were given the Advanced Nutrition protocol 1 month prior to copulation. They produced a clutch of 6, and the clutch was supplemented with the same ratios of nutrients and proteins.
Conclusion: Resulted in a 10% overall increase in body weight of the young. The fledglings had increase in feather density estimated at 22% and advanced developmental rates- such as balance and coordination including perching and flying, approximately 3 days ahead of other groups. They showed a expedited weaning ability and stronger song characteristics.
Dr Laurie Hess, DMV, Dipl. ABVP-Avian; Owner, Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in New York, conducted a study on 135 pet birds and concluded:
57.8% consumed less vitamin A than recommended for maintenance
98.5% consumed less vitamin D3 than recommended for maintenance
21.4% consumed less vitamin E than recommended for maintenance
95.6% consumed diets containing less calcium than recommended for maintenance
Advanced Nutrition For Zebra Finches
50% Fresh & Sprouted Seed
20% Pellets & 5% Additives
50% Fresh & Sprouted Seed
The most valuable of the fresh produce items are Apricots, Dandelion Greens, Bok Choy, Kale, Carrots, Hot Peppers, Zucchini, Winter Squashes and Sweet potato (not yams).
TO SPROUT SEED:
place a 2 tablespoons of commercial bird seed in a mesh strainer and rinse well.
(or in a jar or cup of water)
Day 1: Place the strainer in a bowl and cover will water and a dash of vinegar (to prevent bacteria growth). Let sit overnight.
Day 2: In the morning, rinse the seed well again and cover with water.
Rinse and cover with water 3 times during the day (approximately)
Day 3: On day three, strain the seed and poor into a shallow dish with damp paper towel, Cover loosely with plastic wrap to hold in moisture but allow seed to breath and let sit for another 24 hours.
*Sprouted seed increases the nutritional value of seed and reduces the fat content.
25% Dry Seed Blend
20% Pellets & 5% Additives
50% Fresh & Sprouted Seed
Red millet, nyger, white millet, canary grass, buckwheat, hemp, paddy rice, peeled oats, wild turnip, rolled oats, sorghum, safflower, wheat, linseed, sesame, lettuce, flax, chia and hemp.
For flavor there is citrus, dried honey and rosehips. There is added Vit A / D3, Calcium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Iodine, Copper, Manganese & Zinc and Echinacea.
20% Pellets & 5% Additives
20% Pellets & 5% Additives
20% Pellets & 5% Additives
Choose a pellet premium pellet company and make that 20% of the diet
Important Additives: Protein, D3, Calcium and Iodine. This can easily be accomplished with a mashed egg!
1 Hardboiled Egg (preferably organic)
Kelp pinch of kelp
EGG MASH INSTRUCTIONS:
Peel the egg and place the shells on a microwave safe dish. Microwave the shell for 3 minutes.
Let the shells cool, and place in mortar and pestle, to crush them into a powder.
Place ingredients in a shallow bowl and crush with a fork until it becomes a fine crumbly mixture.
Keep refrigerated in air tight container for up to 3 days. To serve: place in feeding dish separately (do not mix with dry seed) and remove from cage within 2 hours.
Serving all these delicious things!
3 Containers in Your Finch Enclosure
For most hobby finch keepers, the cages contain:
1. Seed Mix, 2. Egg Food/Produce/Sprouted Seed, 3. Water dish
CONTAINER 1: Seed Mix
Make sure to use a quality seed mix to provide them with a great starting point, it contains 20 different seeds. There are hundreds of finch mixes available as well as pellets. My only recommendation is to try and find a mix which does not contain grit (explained below) and as many varieties of seeds as possible. Whatever mix you choose, I also add Chia seeds, Sesame seeds, broken Pumpkin seeds, Lettuce, Pepper seeds and Flax seed- these are expensive items that are not usually added to mixes, but are highly valuable and not expensive for the hobby finch keeper.
CONTAINER 2: Egg Mash, Fresh Produce & Sprouted Seed
*Egg and Fresh items need to be removed from the cage after a couple hours so it does not spoil.
Importance of Egg : One whole medium sized eggshell yields about 750 - 800 mgs of calcium plus other microelements, i.e. magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulphur, silicon, zinc, etc. There are 27 elements in total. (for those that question the ratio of protein- I would encourage you to seek out wild zebra finches and witness their consumption of insects). A single egg has 7 grams of high-quality animal protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6 grams of saturated fat, along with vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids. The egg is a powerhouse of disease-fighting nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin.
Fresh Produce
The Fresh items contain vital nutrients that are easily absorbed and the mental stimulation to make your birds extremely happy!
Daily, I give fresh chopped veggies and fruit (carrot, peppers, parsley, cilantro, squash, greens- or whatever is seasonal and looks fresh at the time. You are not required to chop the produce, as finches will enjoy a large leaf of lettuce or slice apricot but it is easier consumed in small pieces.
Generally anything you find in the produce section other than avocados, garlic, onions and mushrooms). You can chop the veggies one day, and serve throughout the week. Did you have fruit for breakfast? Save a bite. Salad for Lunch? Place a few leaves of greens inside the cage. Did you have a side of cooked green beans or carrots for dinner? Share it. Another form of 'produce' to birds is flowers- the rich pollen from safe flowers has profound nutritional benefits aside from the mental and physical stimulation.
Sprouted Seed
See above instructions.
Forget the Grit!
Studies have shown that keratin plates are sufficient to grind consumables and prepare them for dige
The high metabolism of the finch requires that food constantly be available therefore they have a adaptation referred to as the ‘crop’. The crop is a holding area for food until the stomach is ready to digest it.
The consumables then pass to the stomach (gizzard) where acid is secreted and keratin plates grind the seeds. If grit (stones) were consumed, it is believed to aid in the grinding process. But finches dont require this.... so 'Grit is a supplement, and not to aid processing'
Therefore if you have a strong base diet, stone grit is not necessary. I do however provide my birds with 75% crushed egg shells and 20% crushed oyster shell and 5% crushed cuddlebone. This is placed in a small container on the cage floor. and replaced as needed.
Edible Stimulation
Cuddle-bone
Live Insects
Live Insects
The cuddlebone A perfect example of this is the cuddlebone. Cuttlebone, also known as cuttlefish bone, is a hard, brittle internal structure found in cuttlefish. It is dried and hung from the cage.
Providing minerals, calcium, promoting beak trimming/health and nervous system stimulation which can prevent aggression and boredom.
Live Insects
Live Insects
Live Insects
LIVE FOOD:
If there is one thing that no one ever addresses, it is live food. Fresh insects are an important part of the diet in the wild- especially during breeding season. I find that is nearly impossible to get hobby pet finch owners to keep meal worms or larvae in the fridge and feed it to their finches. The Egg Mash serves as an alternate source of animal proteins. On occasion (especially during breeding season to keep birds occupied and deter territorial behavior), I will give Aphids on a big flower blossom (pesticide free and on the safe plant list).
Millet
Live Insects
Millet
Another good example is spray millet. Spray Millet can be purchased at any pet store, and is the 'candy' of the bird world. Highly digestible and fatty- this item gives them an energy boost that is enjoyable to consume. There are 'food clips' that can be purchased at many pet stores allowing you to place millet in interesting areas of the enclosure.
Note that millet is messy- so consider getting a seed guard (piece of clear plastic) near the location the millet is hung.