Appropriate Myna Food?

[Belle590]

About a month ago, I took in an orphaned wild common myna chick at about 10 days old. I've been rearing him, using a combination of egg, rice, oatmeal, apple sauce, Wombaroo Insectivore rearing formula and a lorikeet rearing and conditioning formula, as well as fruit and mealworms. He is now 5-6 weeks old and I've decided to keep him. I'm struggling to find an appropriate pellet for him in Australia.

Mynas are considered pests in Australia, one reason I wouldn't release this bird back to the wild, but to the point no one thinks of them as or keeps them as pets. There are just no options for pellets here. I would love some guidance as to what I can feed him, I can't find any low iron softbill food. I understand low iron is very important, and possibly low vit C too? I have Vetafarm Pardise Pellets, which are low iron but not a softbill food or to my knowledge low vitamin C, I'm not sure if this is appropriate? I also might be able to manage to get Pretty Bird softbill food, it's low iron formulated I'm not sure if this is any good? It would need to be a great pick as it looks very expensive for me to get here. I have found Peckish softbill blend too, but I don't think this is low iron. Any thoughts on what is most appropriate or does anyone know any other products available in Australia that might work?

I'd also love any tips for housing/cage setup for mynas and any other general advice. Cheers!

 

[Shezbug]

A Comprehensive Feeding Guide For The Mynah Birds

<div class="at-above-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.petsworld.in/blog/a-comprehensive-feeding-guide-for-the-mynah-birds.html"></div>The Mynah birds are an omnivorous, softbill bird that loves to eat fruit as well as dine on reptiles, insects, baby birds, small rodents and discarded...

www.petsworld.in

 

[Shezbug]

Insecta pro is a food vetafarm makes for magpies I think but I’m not sure it is what you’re after, have you checked out the whole vetafarm range?
I’m wondering if a call to an AV might be helpful.
I also can’t say that chook pellets would be right but I know all the wild birds loved them so it might be worth checking them out too?

 

[Belle590]

A Comprehensive Feeding Guide For The Mynah Birds

<div class="at-above-post addthis_tool" data-url="https://www.petsworld.in/blog/a-comprehensive-feeding-guide-for-the-mynah-birds.html"></div>The Mynah birds are an omnivorous, softbill bird that loves to eat fruit as well as dine on reptiles, insects, baby birds, small rodents and discarded...

www.petsworld.in

Thanks! This is definitely a handy link for the rest of his diet. Need to work out an appropriate pellet/blend though!

Insecta pro is a food vetafarm makes for magpies I think but I’m not sure it is what you’re after, have you checked out the whole vetafarm range?
I’m wondering if a call to an AV might be helpful.
I also can’t say that chook pellets would be right but I know all the wild birds loved them so it might be worth checking them out too?

Insecta pro specifically includes mynas I'm afraid. They have a softbill food too apparently, but I can't find anything on it's iron levels so I'm not sure. Sounds like low iron is really important. I hadn't thought about chook pellets, I'll look into it! And I'm definitely looking into AVs, might even get a consult with one. Thanks.

 

[Belle590]

Sorry, I meant it specifically excludes mynas (can't see an edit button on the post!)

 

[Shezbug]

Thanks! This is definitely a handy link for the rest of his diet. Need to work out an appropriate pellet/blend though!




Insecta pro specifically includes mynas I'm afraid. They have a softbill food too apparently, but I can't find anything on it's iron levels so I'm not sure. Sounds like low iron is really important. I hadn't thought about chook pellets, I'll look into it! And I'm definitely looking into AVs, might even get a consult with one. Thanks.

If I was you I’d call AVs to ask for a recommendation for either a pelleted food (or maybe even something like dog biscuits?) or a contact for a wildlife rehabilitation place.
I’d also contact vetafarm and ask them directly. I’m almost sure they used to have the little nutritional information panel on all their products but if not then I’m sure they could tell you.

 

[AussieBird]

I agree with @Shezbug about contacting a AV or a Wildlife rehab.
@Feather ?

 

[Belle590]

I agree with @Shezbug about contacting a AV or a Wildlife rehab.
@Feather ?

Thanks! I find most wildlife rehab want nothing to do with mynas. I've been looking into AVs tonight, I will be making some calls and will be organising a checkup/consult to drown a poor vet in questions haha. I'm a little worried that it will be hard to find someone who knows a lot about them as they are so rarely kept as pets in Aus and never rehabbed, but even if that's the case I'm sure they'll know a lot more than I do!

 

[Feather]

I have a starling, not a myna, but he also requires low iron in his diet. I can't speak for how well his diet overall would scale between the two species, but peppermint or decaffeinated black tea can help iron sensitive birds like ours.

Can Drinking Tea Interfere With Iron Absorption?

Find out if drinking tea such as chamomile, anise, rooibos, nettle, peppermint, and green tea interfere with iron absorption and cause deficiencies.

www.verywellhealth.com

Introduce Tea to Your Flock

Blended teas offer countless benefits for parrots Though water quality is important for our avian companions, what birds drink in the wild is far from …

www.omagdigital.com

 

[Mizzely]

Can you get Mazuri over there? I know they make Softbill foods for zoos worldwide.

Pretty Bird is a good brand

 

[AMQ]

I don’t know if they have it there were u live, but in here we have this. Maybe you ca do a search for the brand ?

 

[Pat H]

Q-- if Myna's are considered a pest bird, does that mean they are a 'naturalized' bird in your nation [might be wrong term]... If so, are you allowed to have him at all? [ie, when you contact a vet/ DNR/ rehab place]...?

 

[Hankmacaw]

I have found that veterinarians won't report people for having a restricted bird. They want the bird to have proper vet care and don't feel that they are law enforcement officers.

 

[Pat H]

That's good to hear... and I'm thankful ...