Open Contest Caged Bird Show—2025 BYC Summer Fair

[Crow craftsman]

This is one of them on their favourite perch. Placing perches in the corners of cages for smaller birds really belps them feel safe and becomes an ideal sleeping perch, btw.

 

[Crow craftsman]

My oldest bird, named Sowhat. He is rather calm compared to the other one, looking at me as if saying 'so what?' He looks like a plump, grumpy old man in this photo!

 

[CabritaChicks]

My oldest bird, named Sowhat. He is rather calm compared to the other one, looking at me as if saying 'so what?' He looks like a plump, grumpy old man in this photo!

Know them very well! I used to breed Zebra, Java, Munia, German and silverbill finches. They were the focus of my studies for years through Uni- specializing in diet, behavior and care. I handfed and raised maybe 20%- tame as housecats, fly to you when you called, etc.

They are also known in USA as nutmeg mannikin- even tho many of them are the asian (not australian variety) when sold in pet stores. I had my finches in Asia and the middle east.

Those need a nail trim desperately otherwise it is painful to perch. It also indicates a nutritional deficiency and fatty liver disease judging from the shape and width. gentle trim with a nail clipper and adjustment in diet are going to go a long way

 

[CCsGarden]

Entry 1?

Here is smarty my 10month old collared hen.

 

[Crow craftsman]

Know them very well! I used to breed Zebra, Java, Munia, German and silverbill finches. They were the focus of my studies for years through Uni- specializing in diet, behavior and care. I handfed and raised maybe 20%- tame as housecats, fly to you when you called, etc.

They are also known in USA as nutmeg mannikin- even tho many of them are the asian (not australian variety) when sold in pet stores. I had my finches in Asia and the middle east.

Those need a nail trim desperately otherwise it is painful to perch. It also indicates a nutritional deficiency and fatty liver disease judging from the shape and width. gentle trim with a nail clipper and adjustment in diet are going to go a long way

Yes, i know! These were pictures from when i first bought them, the breeder was a mighty stingy lady and crammed them into a tiny cage in a dark corner, since then i have had their nails trimmed by a petshop owner, given them egg food and greens and reduced the amount of millet in their diet and increased husked rice and mixed grains. They live a good life here, me lugging their cage to the balcony for the day to watch the greenery, and bringing it in for the night, with training sessions in the evenings, bamboo amd mango wood perches and a calcium block that they never use. I dont know why, but they never look twice at that beak block, while I've seen budgies and stuff pecking and having fun with it. Is there another way to supplement their diet? Even egg food they are kinda shy of, but they eat sprouted millet and rice stalks, just put some in a pot of soil and grow it, then put the pot in the cage. Any suggestions for dietary things?

 

[CCsGarden]

Yes, i know! These were pictures from when i first bought them, the breeder was a mighty stingy lady and crammed them into a tiny cage in a dark corner, since then i have had their nails trimmed by a petshop owner, given them egg food and greens and reduced the amount of millet in their diet and increased husked rice and mixed grains. They live a good life here, me lugging their cage to the balcony for the day to watch the greenery, and bringing it in for the night, with training sessions in the evenings, bamboo amd mango wood perches and a calcium block that they never use. I dont know why, but they never look twice at that beak block, while I've seen budgies and stuff pecking and having fun with it. Is there another way to supplement their diet? Even egg food they are kinda shy of, but they eat sprouted millet and rice stalks, just put some in a pot of soil and grow it, then put the pot in the cage. Any suggestions for dietary things?

Yes, they might love some fruit for vitamins and maybe some pigeon/dove seed with corn will help.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Yes, i know! These were pictures from when i first bought them, the breeder was a mighty stingy lady and crammed them into a tiny cage in a dark corner, since then i have had their nails trimmed by a petshop owner, given them egg food and greens and reduced the amount of millet in their diet and increased husked rice and mixed grains. They live a good life here, me lugging their cage to the balcony for the day to watch the greenery, and bringing it in for the night, with training sessions in the evenings, bamboo amd mango wood perches and a calcium block that they never use. I dont know why, but they never look twice at that beak block, while I've seen budgies and stuff pecking and having fun with it. Is there another way to supplement their diet? Even egg food they are kinda shy of, but they eat sprouted millet and rice stalks, just put some in a pot of soil and grow it, then put the pot in the cage. Any suggestions for dietary things?

Spice finches primarily eat grass seeds, including immature or soft seeds that are easier to digest. While their diet is mostly seed-based, they may consume many insects during breeding season to support chick growth and reproduction, resulting in temporarily higher protein intake- however protein is always needed. Like other seed-eating birds, they benefit from access to grit—especially if they consume whole, unshelled seeds—as they rely on grit in the gizzard to help grind and digest their food. Insoluble grit, such as fine gravel or fine crushed granite, is best for this purpose (just grab it from outside), while soluble calcium sources like oyster shell serve a different function and shouldn't be used as grit. It is a great idea to plant and leave the pot in tere- that is two birds-one stone situation Though grit isn't strictly necessary if they're eating a commercial, hulled seed mix, it can still support healthy digestion and is a helpful addition to their care.

Spice finches thrive on a softer seed-based diet but benefit from the addition of fresh leafy greens and soft vegetables for extra nutrients and enrichment. Safe options include romaine, kale, dandelion greens, broccoli, peas, chickweed, watercress, grated carrots or sweet potato. While fruit isn’t required, small amounts of non-citrus fruits like apple or berries can be offered occasionally as treats.

But it is important to note to avoid sugary fruits, dried fruits, citrus, or giving fruit too often. Finches don’t process sugar the way some other birds (like parrots) can, and too much fruit can lead to digestive issues, crop fungus or weight gain.

Did you know broccoli has more vitamin C than an Orange? you can get the nutrients needed just from vegetables.

I always used a tiny pinch of mashed egg, mixed with 1/2 finely minced vegetable matter, and 1/2 sprouted seed (be mindful with the sprouted seed process) and just a pinch of bee pollen (occasionally if you want to be OCD). They always had access to a high quality seed mix and some super fine parrot pellets (I think harrisons still makes super-fine) 2/3 seed to 1/3 harrisons.

I was definately OCD with 100 finches at any given time. Mine were so tame I used to bring them to beach restaurants with me- and the staff thought it was hilarious as they would perch on a glass just saying 'meep meep, beep beep'.

Pigeon or dove seed is definitely not appropriate for spice finches (nutrient content, size, and density), and dry corn can cause serious crop issues overall so it is best to avoid or limit.

Best to find a finch mix that is heavy on grass seeds and soft appropriate sizes for canaries and finches. This is a great resource even tho I cant stand Dr. Rob: https://ladygouldian.com/catalog
(nice thing about this is it is pure- so you can sprout the seeds as well as serve them)

I purchased this for some of the rescues recently- faster delivery than Lorainne... they ignored the fruit chunks: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Harveys-Fabulous-Natural-Finches/dp/B004TIYWFI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=323ZAM5I0HFS2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GLVu4g_4jy1DBDgSif7T8ISv4t0e6FNfzr31-H6dNiiaUMlFMQ5ssPda0QRQjl-F-TcJchNEgbTRnGl500gYZOV2g2EyRVq0IW_IlM0cW1sTYS74u1Mm9zJtkrX_I5KhY4JeyVyHD6PdwVtpr019EB-1ODjNXWTiykYQiTJ0Sj0swTQkTMjMl8_Q-mhA1oBI42VnVJC9rwvFe5WGJNKK1uyqFRIrrgP8KEOzqhmBOPMQ_cX3Hm51uT6bYC3uFLCM3ko49jd08o_JCVrmTz4C8-_XPcO5q8G_VZmbeat1J5o.7rzsJtfDXwlbARBvcocbtqMnGAevHtc26uHyiIMkExM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Dr.+Harvey's+finch&qid=1753781916&rdc=1&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=dr.+harvey's+finch,pets,134&sr=1-1&th=1

Edit: Yerp! found the harrisons: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/product/adult-lifetime-super-fine/

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Entry #2
Mahlee, my male Bush budgie

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Entry #3
Quarter the galah enjoying a mahogany pod

 

[Somewhere_In_The_Clouds]

Fourth and final entry.
My beautiful budgie, Sunbeam, who I lost earlier this year, but was without a doubt one of the birds that has impacted me the most in my life.