Nutrition Plus Premium Diet for Finches

A nutritionally balanced, premium diet for finches should include a wide variety of ingredients enriched with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Without all of these essentials in their diet, finches are much less productive for breeding and far more susceptible to disease. While the core of a finch's diet can be provided with a high quality seed mixture, other nutrition must be supplemented with calcium/mineral blocks, protein, fruits and vegetables.

  1. Nutrition Plus Premium Diet for Finches

    • The proper birdseed should not be made up entirely of seeds, but should include other dried foods and greens. Look for mixtures that include fortified pellets, white millet, canary grass, dried fruits, bee pollen and dried vegetables. While it is important to check that the mixture contains real fruit and vegetables and is vitamin-fortified, it is just as important to check that it does not include harmful additives or sweeteners.

    Calcium/Mineral Blocks and Lighting

    • It is important that finches have access to calcium. This can be provided through boiled and crushed eggshells or with a store-bought calcium or mineral block.

      However, finches cannot absorb calcium properly without sufficient Vitamin D3, normally received through sun exposure. If your finches are kept indoors and not exposed to direct sunlight, provide appropriate indoor, full-spectrum lighting.

    Protein

    • Finches need protein in their diet. If you are comfortable providing live food, mealworms are inexpensive and packed with protein. Other possibilities include shelled hemp seeds, high-protein nestling food and sprouted seeds. (Additional details about these diet additions may be found in the "Finch Diet Details" link below.)

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • Feed fresh greens such as bok choy, lettuce, broccoli or cabbage to finches every day. Offer fruits such as berries, apples, bananas, pears and pineapples daily, but remove any unused portions, which should not be allowed to become moldy or rotten.

      Do not feed an excess of dark greens (such as spinach and kale) to finches as it can deplete the calcium levels in their system.