Zebra finch beak flaking?

[fashionfobie]

In case anyone is curious here is the breakdown of niger seeds, which are great for supplementing finches during moult or difficult periods. They can be used sparingly when in summer or outside of moults too.


Source: Mineral and Anti-Nutritional Contents of Niger Seed (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., Linseed (Linumusitatissimum L.) and Sesame (Sesamumindicum L.) Varieties Grown in Ethiopia

Mineral and Anti-Nutritional Contents of Niger Seed (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., Linseed (Linumusitatissimum L.) and Sesame (Sesamumindicum L.) Varieties Grown in Ethiopia

Oilseeds are rich sources of micronutrients and contribute to combating malnutrition caused by micronutrient deficiency. The objective of this study was to investigate the mineral and anti-nutritional contents of different varieties of niger seed, linseed ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Johnny99]

Thank you for noticing this detail. I have zebra finches. I suggest getting a seed blend for finches that includes some red millet and some niger seeds. Zebra finches are obligated grainevores. You can also supplement with water soluble vitamin D. I also provide calcium in shell form in a little dish they eat what they need from there.

Beak flaking can also be related to moulting or dry conditions. How often do your birds bathe? If not often you can try offering them a flat plate with shallow water and a few greens. They may be afraid of it at first, but eventually they may increase their bathing.

In terms of veggies etc... providing diversity is a nice enrichment for them, even if they don't eat it they can interact with it. Pea shoots are very popular with my finches and they usually eat the little leaves and also fly around with the stems.

Thanks, I will try finding a mix that contains the red millet and niger seeds. As for bathing, they do bathe, but not very often. And I will give veggies another shot even if they don't eat them, I'll try getting the pea shoots, or else spinach/broccoli.

 

[Johnny99]

I'm not familiar with finch beaks .

Is she solo, or do you have other finch es? Do any of their beaks look similar if you have others?

On greens, if you hang them it might increase nibbles. I stab mine on a stick and the budgies first started eating them that way. Romaine, Swiss Chard. They have vitamin A which is good for skin, feathers, respiratory and what's often most lacking in all seed diet .
Tho I see you offer nice pellets for finches , but are unsure if eating.

My budgies will eat boiled eggs shells I crush up. They eat broccoli and veggies great and some pellets.

I think some seeds have calcium maybe sesame??? Pumpkin seeds? I linked something on calcium foods before...if I can find it again.
Edit: this one talks some seeds with calcium, mention chia

Safe Seeds For Parrots

Safe seeds for Parrots, Sophie explains safe seeds your Parrot can eat and the health benefits of each seed

www.northernparrots.com

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Love to see a whole bird pic!

I have one other finch but I can't see that line on his beak. I gave them water soluble calcium today (https://www.versele-laga.com/en/vl/oropharma/products/oropharma-calcilux this one) until I'm able to buy some spinach/broccoli/pea shoots next week. Should I be buying frozen or? I read somewhere that they prefer frozen, can't remember where.

 

[Johnny99]

Thank you for noticing this detail. I have zebra finches. I suggest getting a seed blend for finches that includes some red millet and some niger seeds. Zebra finches are obligated grainevores. You can also supplement with water soluble vitamin D. I also provide calcium in shell form in a little dish they eat what they need from there.

Beak flaking can also be related to moulting or dry conditions. How often do your birds bathe? If not often you can try offering them a flat plate with shallow water and a few greens. They may be afraid of it at first, but eventually they may increase their bathing.

In terms of veggies etc... providing diversity is a nice enrichment for them, even if they don't eat it they can interact with it. Pea shoots are very popular with my finches and they usually eat the little leaves and also fly around with the stems.

Found one, reviews are kinda meh though.. https://www.amazon.in/Vitapol-Zebra-Finches-Lam-500g/dp/B009B8XESW#customerReviews
and this one: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Deli-Nature-No-Exotics-Super/dp/B06Y3L21J7
I live in slovakia so not a big selection here.. I think those niger seeds are in the egg mix that I give them, I know I've seen something like that, but in a small amount.

 

[Pixiebeak]

I have one other finch but I can't see that line on his beak. I gave them water soluble calcium today (https://www.versele-laga.com/en/vl/oropharma/products/oropharma-calcilux this one) until I'm able to buy some spinach/broccoli/pea shoots next week. Should I be buying frozen or? I read somewhere that they prefer frozen, can't remember where.

It's only peas that I buy frozen then just thaw and serve . It's just easier to get them that way sbd have on hand . Everything else I just use fresh.
I don't have thoughts on frozen veg, haven't researched it

 

[Johnny99]

Although since I know that they like iceberg lettuce, I think they will like romaine as well. I will try to get that first, probably.

 

[Pixiebeak]

Although since I know that they like iceberg lettuce, I think they will like romaine as well. I will try to get that first, probably.

Excellent! Romaine is a good source of vitamin A

Romaine lettuce, raw nutrition facts and analysis.

www.nutritionvalue.org

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I had a lot of luck with it's it's orange bell peppers , any of the peppers. Mine nibbles their first day home

Watercress is packed with nutrition! You can try that as well

What do Parrots Eat? A Comprehensive Guide to Parrot Food and Nutrition

What do Parrots Eat? A Comprehensive Guide to Parrot Food and Nutrition After dogs, cats and rabbits, indoor birds are the UK’s most popular pets. And out of these, parrots, in all their amazing varieties, are often the first choice for people wanting a colourful companion. It is easy to...

johnstonandjeff.co.uk

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10 Impressive Health Benefits of Watercress

Watercress is an often overlooked leafy green vegetable that packs a powerful nutrient punch for very few calories. Here are 10 impressive health benefits of watercress.

www.healthline.com

 

[Pixiebeak]

Aviary - Match Species to Blends

About Our Blends - and Which Aviary Birds They're Best For

johnstonandjeff.co.uk

 

[fashionfobie]

Aviary - Match Species to Blends

About Our Blends - and Which Aviary Birds They're Best For

johnstonandjeff.co.uk

This looks fantastic. Any chance you can order from the UK @Johnny99 ? These mixes are thought through.

 

[Johnny99]

This looks fantastic. Any chance you can order from the UK @Johnny99 ? These mixes are thought through.

I think not checked amazon as well and it can't be delivered to my location.

 

[Johnny99]

Thank you for noticing this detail. I have zebra finches. I suggest getting a seed blend for finches that includes some red millet and some niger seeds. Zebra finches are obligated grainevores. You can also supplement with water soluble vitamin D. I also provide calcium in shell form in a little dish they eat what they need from there.

Beak flaking can also be related to moulting or dry conditions. How often do your birds bathe? If not often you can try offering them a flat plate with shallow water and a few greens. They may be afraid of it at first, but eventually they may increase their bathing.

In terms of veggies etc... providing diversity is a nice enrichment for them, even if they don't eat it they can interact with it. Pea shoots are very popular with my finches and they usually eat the little leaves and also fly around with the stems.

I found a store in my country that sells red millet and niger seeds separately, so I will order that and mix it somehow, thanks.

https://www.versele-laga.com/en/de/prestige-premium/products/prestigepremium-canaries0825kg

One more thing, this is what I am feeding my canaries (in addition to those C19 pellets which again they also don't really eat, and the egg food which they do), is there any (I'm assuming there probably is) other kind of seed that I should buy and be feeding them?

 

[fashionfobie]

Unfortunately I am not very familiar with canary care. I hope someone can offer better help.

My suggestion is to go to try and find a canary society or club in your area. They may have material online or someone you can get in contact with.

 

[Zara]

Trying to add more greens into diet broccoli kale carrots red peppers etc with help with vitamins

@fashionfobie I am assuming that for finches, green veggies high in oxalates has the same effect impeding calcium absorbtion like it does for hookbills?

spinach

This is high in oxalates so should be fed in moderation

I think some seeds have calcium maybe sesame?

Correct And poppy seeds.

 

[Emma&pico]

@fashionfobie I am assuming that for finches, green veggies high in oxalates has the same effect impeding calcium absorbtion like it does for hookbills?


This is high in oxalates so should be fed in moderation


Correct And poppy seeds.

So I shouldn’t feed much greens then ? Confused

 

[Zara]

So I shouldn’t feed much greens then ? Confused

For our parrots, we feed veggies high in oxalates in moderation as too much can impede calcium absorption. Personally I skip spinach altogether because it is the highest (? or one of the highest) and my birds enjoy other stuff.
Basically, you can feed it, but just a little

 

[fashionfobie]

@Zara zebra finches do not need a high amount of veg like hook bills. I think some textures are fine to offer them to explore as enrichment toys, they likely won't eat much if it anyway.

In terms of the greens they actually eat they like cucumber, pea shoots, lettuces and finely chopped carrot.

I actually don't feed spinach to any of my birds uncooked.

I think expecting high calcium from veg in a finches diet is unrealistic since they will not eat much of it. There are seeds that offer some. The vitamin and mineral makeup of niger seeds is pretty diverse, but should be fed in moderation outside of times of stress.

 

[Emma&pico]

For our parrots, we feed veggies high in oxalates in moderation as too much can impede calcium absorption. Personally I skip spinach altogether because it is the highest (? or one of the highest) and my birds enjoy other stuff.
Basically, you can feed it, but just a little

So remi gets broccoli sugar snaps kale sprouts in his veggies daily either one so that’s a no then

 

[Pixiebeak]

I rarely feed spinach. I have kidney stones and the only high oxalate foods, as a human, I was told to avoid is swiss chard and beets.

The mixed finch aviaries we covered, got greens and veg and a little fruit daily with their seed diet . I definitely don't claim to be knowledgeable enough on the topic. But they were overseen by a nutritionist. Maybe in the years since diet ideas have changed.

 

[Pixiebeak]

Quick search didn't reveal an issue with offering daily, all seemed to share the same as below. If there is different information available, I'm interested in reading it to improve my knowledge.

Feeding Finches | VCA Animal Hospitals

Our knowledge of bird nutrition is constantly evolving. This is due both to heightened awareness of the importance of nutrition and to increased research into birds different needs. As with all other animals, birds need a proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and...

vcahospitals.com

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[Johnny99]

Thankfully I was right as it seems that both my canaries and my finches like the romaine lettuce.