questions about food and stuff

I have three pairs of finches, a pair of doves, and one canary in a large cage. There are two food containers up high in the cage and one on the floor. I was told the doves like to be lower so I mix the dove food in with the finch/canary food in the bowl on the cage bottom. The other containers contain only finch/canary food.

But my doves seem to like to sit on the highest perch in the cage! I have seen them eating from both high containers, but I have never seen them eat from the one on the cage floor (although they could have when I wasn't looking). I have seen finches and the canary eat from the bowl on the floor, though.

Should I mix the dove food in somewhere else? Does it matter? I think many people just feed their doves finch food, but the lady at the store said she mixes in wild dove food.

Second, how do I know that the birds are all getting enough to eat? There are mostly husks in the containers when I empty them each morning, but birds are still eating from them when I take them out, so does this mean there is still good food left and therefore they are being fed enough? All the birds are active and fly and sing a lot.

Third, should I be giving fresh fruits? If so, what kind? And do I just clip something to the cage bars near a perch?

And last - if I put a millet spray in for a treat, I assume it needs to hang near a perch so they can reach it? And what about those treats you can get in the pet store that are like little cylinders of seeds you attach to the cage bars. Do the birds sit on it and eat from it, or should it be near a perch?

 

Hi since you have different species in the cage i would just mix the food up together as each bird will only eat what it likes.

If possible i would watch the birds to make sure all are eating but i think they will be.

You can buy proper bird kebab skewer things that you can push fruit and veg on this seems to get the birds to atleast try it.
Millet spray can be hung near perches but you will find you may have to place a few in the cage as they may fight over who is getting it.

The seed treats again can bu hung near perches or just above them so the birds can get access to them.

Here is a link to safe foods and toxic foods which will give you an idea of what they can and can't have....

http://groups.msn.com/BudgieHelpPage/sa ... foods.msnw

Mike