Homemade Finch Food

Whether seeking to feed indoor or outdoor finches, you can save the money in your wallet by making cost-effective, homemade finch food. Bird food can be expensive, especially when you're purchasing large quantities for numerous birds. Making your own quality, even organic, fresh finch food is a fabulous way to use kitchen scraps and create a gourmet meal for your fine feathered friends.

  1. Beyond the Seed

    • Birds do not live by seed alone, according to Finch Aviary Care, an website devoted to the bird's care. Though it's acknowledged that seeds are a staple in all birds' diets, a diet that is high in variety and quality nutrition contributes to a balanced health that seeds alone cannot provide. Of primary concern is the amount of calcium and protein the finch acquires from its food source. The National Finch and Softbill Society claims that protein deficiency is a common problem associated with the finch's diet.

    Providing Protein

    • The consumption of eggs prevents protein deficiencies.

      Hard-boiled eggs will maintain adequate intake of protein and are a good addition to the finch's diet. Mash-up hard-boiled eggs, shell and all. Findings demonstrate that some birds don't care for the egg alone, because it's wet and mushy, but adding the egg to breadcrumbs will create a drier, crumbly texture that most finch's will find appealing.

    Calcium Sources

    • Calcium needs weigh heavily in the finch's diet. Leafy greens are an excellent means of assuring ample calcium intake. A variety of greens are available and include turnip, dandelion, mustard and kale. Crushed oyster and cuttlebone are high in calcium; these can be purchased at a pet store. Eggshells provide necessary nutrients as well. Eggshells must be well rinsed and microwaved -- a couple shells per minute or two. If the shells are fed moist they might contain bacteria, which could be harmful to a bird. When adequately dry, crush the shells and feed them alone or combined with another food source.

    Eating Greens

    • Vegetables and greens should be included daily, except for spinach, which is high in oxalic acid and not healthy for consumption more than once a week. Birds enjoy corn, green beans, broccoli, kale and a variety of vegetable tops such as carrots and turnips.

    Living Food

    • Mealworms can be purchased at most pet stores.

      Live foods are particularly nutritious for finches. In the wild, birds consume a variety of live foods daily. Mealworms are available at most pet stores and come in a variety of sizes. Sprouting and soaking seeds is another means of ensuring the addition of live food into a bird's diet. Soak seeds, sunflower or other, and rinse them repeatedly until sprouts form. For a simple soak, remove prior to sprouting.

    Supplement or Not

    • The need to supplement with vitamins is debatable. Some bird owners believe that a well-balanced and nutritious diet will supply all the necessary nutrients needed for maintaining optimum health, while others believe that supplements are mandatory. Vitamins can basically be added to any food source or water supply. Adding a supplement to water ensures ingestion; birds must drink water for survival.

    Feast for a Finch

    • Preparing a platter of food for your finch is easily and nutritious.

      When you start making your own finch food, introduce new foods slowly and be patient. It might take a bird many days, or even weeks to adjust to the idea of fresh food. Begin with a simple piece of lettuce before introducing a variety of items. Eventually, you'll be presenting an attractive and nutritious platter of food that any finch is sure enjoy.