I have been using a mix of Premium Finch mix and Premium Canary mix. I do not know the percentages and type of seeds in these mixes and I am sure that there is at least one type of seed that goes to waste. However I find it very convenient to purchase my seed in this way.
I combine about 1 cup of either soaked or sprouted seed (I add a few drops of vitamin formula at this stage) with 3 or four spoons of Passwell's Finch Soft Food. To this I then add 4 hard boiled eggs (which I have mashed - shell and all - I use a average kitchen utensil called The Chopper Machine and it works perfectly). Mix this really well and divided in to useable amounts - I freeze about half at a time which lasts about 2 weeks.
This is the lazy way of providing seed for the soft food mix above. I�ve now tried various ways to make soaked (or softened) seed. Here are the ways I find the easiest.
For soaked seed � do just that � soak it in a very dilute bleach and water solution for at least 48 hours and remember to rinse well before using.
As for softened seed you need to microwave it. You�ll need a tall microwave proof container with a lid. Add your seed and cover with water (enough so that it is about 1cm above the seeds) cover but don�t fully seal as the steam needs to escape. Microwave on Medium power for 5 minutes, remove to make sure there is enough water, microwave for 5 more minutes on Medium-Low power. Remove, rinse and drain well before using.
I use the above seeds in my sprouting mix.
To sprout seeds I take about 1 cup of seeds and add one tablespoon of normal household bleach and about 2-3 cups of cold water. This sits in a stainless steel bowl covered with a saucer for 24 hours. I then rinse the seeds well through a sieve. This sieve full of seeds is lightly shaken to remove some excess water and rested in side the stainless steel bowl, again covered by the saucer. I leave this is a warm place for several days until the seeds start to sprout. During these days I try to rinse it at least once a day.
Excess sprouted seeds are kept in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.
I have only recently introduced my birds to live food. I initially found it difficult to find small meal worms. I am now buying them at about 2cm in length. Yes that does sound big when compared to birds that are about 9cm but it doesn't seem to bother them at all. They devour them with much gusto.
I keep them in the fridge and have found that they stay alive for many weeks in that state.
My birds always have fresh apple, corn and lebanese cucumber. On occasions they are also supplied with leaf vegetables such as spinach and coz lettuce. Half ripe seed heads are also given to them when available.