Who chooses to feed seed as well as a varied and balanced diet, instead of feeding pellets? I have researched quite a bit about this topic, and feel like risking kidney problems known to ail small birds with the new pellet diet, isn't worth it. Furthermore, I've never been one to just jump on the bandwagon. Pellets are still newer.
And it is not a proven fact they are better than seeds and veggies, grains, etc. Pellets are good for larger species, but they are not as much so for the smaller species. Blue mutation parrotlets are not supposed to eat pellets and are known to have kidney issues from them specifically.
I'd say that seems kind of risky then Pellets are so heavily promoted, that doesn't mean they are without flaws, or ideal, for our smaller birds. I'm not looking to start some debate. I am just wondering if anyone else feels this way. It seems everyone here is pro pellets, but I'm sure some are not and may not say so for fear of judgement.
The breeder I got Corbin from fed minimal pellets very minimal , but fed a nicely varied diet with all kinds of sprouts, veggies, grains, pasta, etc. She agreed with me in saying birds don't have pellets in the wild.
Very true, I think. Amarillo's breeder was complete opposite. Pellets all the way. No seed whatsoever. She did feed veggies as well though. I don't think either is wrong. I just personally am switching my birds to seed and veggies, etc Corbin is already on it , and I'm still debating whether or not I want to give them any pellets I'm leaning towards no. Anyone else? Or is this just me? Celebirdy of the Month.
Mayor of the Avenue. Avenue Spotlight Award. I Can't Stop Posting! The primary reason I choose pellets is because they are nutritionally balanced. So I know they are getting x amount of protein, x amount of fat, x amount of vitamin A, etc. If I thought I could get the right balance feeding all fresh I would, but I not only feel I can't, my birds won't eat some of the things I want them to. Are pellets better than seed?
Well, let's look at my birds. Rowdy and Merlin have eaten pellets all or most of their lives I did have to convert Rowdy when I got her. They have excellent vet checks and chem panels each time they are taken. They also have beautiful feathers, hard shiny beaks and healthy looking feet. Pete ate seeds in his previous home for 28 years. He has fatty liver disease and was suffering from various malnutrition issues.
His feather quality was poor, his beak was dull and weak and his feet were covered in scales and had bumps on the bottom from vit A deficiency. But be careful when seeding on a tabletop surface; these little pellets are perfectly cylindrical, which means they scamper away in every direction if you accidentally spill some on your seeding surface. There are some advantages to using raw seed instead of pelleted at times.
For one, the cost is more fiscally conservative than paying for pelleting. Additionally, the shape and size of raw seed can be more user-friendly for some commercial seeders whose plates and hoppers are not designed to work pelleted seed through their mechanisms. I like to use raw seed for all of my dense plantings in the greenhouse and the field. I also use raw seed for crops that are known to have low germination rates, so I can pack several seeds into one cell and get a higher probability of successful germination.
If your farm model includes growing flats of microgreens for harvesting at an early stage, raw seed is definitely the way to go. You get denser plantings, you can sow the seed free-hand over an open flat, and the cost is well worth it for such a quick crop.
Depending on your production model and scale, you may plant more in propagation spaces with flats and cell trays, or you may do more direct seeding and less propagation work. For large cell tray sowings of seed that is naturally small and difficult to handle, it is highly worth it in both time and resources to use pellets. For more tightly seeded crops that are directly sown, and dense trays of microgreens, raw seed is a better choice. The best part about our seed — both pelleted and raw — is a secret ingredient: its sweetness.
Brightsmith DJ. J Avian Med Surg 5. Harrison GJ. Nijboer J. Online Merck Manual Veterinary Manual 7. Avian Med Surgery 15 4 — 8. Skip to content. Avian Expert Articles. Sodium Sodium is an important element for cell signaling and electrical conductance.
Zinc Zinc functions as a cofactor for many different enzymes and is important for growth, reproduction, and tissue healing. Vitamin A Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important in vision, immune system health, and in cells that line the skin, respiratory tract, reproductive tract, kidneys, and glandular tissues.
Vitamin B There are several B vitamins, but there are just a few that seeds are often lacking. Vitamin B2 is also known as riboflavin. It is also important for carbohydrate metabolism. In cockatiels that are growing, a deficiency in this vitamin will cause achromatosis, which is a loss of normal pigmentation to the feathers.
It can also cause a reduction of eggs in a clutch and reduced hatching of eggs. Vitamin B9 is folic acid. This works as a cofactor in the synthesis of purines, which is a component of DNA.
Low levels will result in slow growth, poor feathering, anemia, reduced egg production and hatchability, and boney abnormalities in embryos and growing birds. Vitamin B12 is cobalamin. Pellets also provide less of a mess than seeds, which produce messy hulls everywhere. However, if your bird is used to seeds, it can be difficult to transition him to a pelleted diet; it's best to start feeding your bird pellets while he's still young.
The diet you choose may depend on your bird's preferences and eating habits. If your bird continually picks out his favorite pieces from his seed diet, you might want to feed a pelleted diet instead to make sure he's receiving the right nutrients. Keep track of your bird's health and behavior, and if you start to notice problems or deficiencies, contact your veterinarian.
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