Feeding Pet Birds A Pelleted Diet

Why feed my pet bird a pelleted diet?


Pelleted diets have been specially formulated to contain the
nutrients essential to keep birds healthy.

Unfortunately, even birds on a seemingly balanced diet of
seed and vegetables with some fruit miss out on some of the
nutrients they need.


Birds that are fed a seed only diet are especially prone to
problems and often have a shorter lifespan than can be expected
from a complete diet.


Seeds are deficient in a number of vitamins
and minerals and these can cause deficiencies in birds making
them sick or can predispose to other diseases. Some seeds are
very high in fat, which easily cause birds to become overweight,
leading to joint problems, tumours, and liver and kidney
problems.

You may also notice your bird does not eat all of the seeds in
its bowl, some are regularly left behind, or it has favorites it
will eat first.


Pellets contain a fairly even mix of nutrients among the pellets,
and are even in taste and texture so the bird doesn't
unintentionally avoid the nutrients it needs


Producing Pet Bird Foods & Pelleted Diets

Some pet bird diets are produced in an expanded process. During this
process the food actually expands to many times its size. So in
effect, the food is full of air pockets. With a diet created by
this method, a bird will have to consume more product (volume) to
achieve the same amount of nutrition.


At Lake's we use what is called an extruded, pelleted diet. The product
is made under extreme pressure so you get a product which is very
dense. Higher density means most birds will consume less product.


Is it economical to buy the least expensive bird food for my bird?

Definitely not! In order to really compare several bird foods on a cost
per pound basis, you should consider the following factors:

Nutritional Value:

Products with higher nutritional content can typically be
fed at lower rates than less nutrient rich formulas. Balanced
nutrition in a product leads to more efficient and complete
utilization of nutrients by the bird.


Digestibility:

Many bird foods are made with ingredients that when listed on
the ingredients panel,sound very nutritious. However, if the
ingredients are not easily assimilated by the bird, the value is
less than they appear to be. For instance, some types of protein
cannot be used by birds, while others are easily digested.
The end result of an ingredient that can't be used by the bird,
is a filler.

When reading the labels of bird foods, you must know how to read
between the lines, and see what is really in the diet.


Product Density:

This is the weight of a bird food that will fit into a 8 oz.
Measuring cup. Products of a smaller size and minimal expansion
will be heavier than larger expanded morsels. Tests show
that a cup measure typically holds 3-6 oz. of various products.
Comparing a cup of one product to a cup of another product may not
be very meaningful.


What difference is there between manufacturing processes?


Pelleted Bird Food Diets

The Lake's manufactured diets are extruded in pellet and mini-pellet form.

The pelleting process begins by grinding the ingredients. Next, the
ingredients are combined and mixed with a vitamin and mineral
premix to form a mash. The mash is then put through the pelleting
process which involves high pressure extrusion at a temperature of
approximately 180 degrees. They are cooled by moving across a screen,
which in turn removes the fines. The ingredients are not cooked,
and are only exposed to these temperatures for a very short time.

This manufacturing method is preferred by Lake's because there is
very little destruction of nutrients at this manufacturing temperature.
Also, we believe that birds are meant to digest raw,
unprocessed grains to keep the gizzard functioning properly.


Expanded Diets

Although some diets call their products a pelleted diet, they
are actually extruded by an "expanded"  process. Manufacturers
today use this expanded method in order to provide the customer
(not necessarily their birds) with food in the shapes of hearts,
bones, moons, and stars.

After the ingredients are ground and mixed, the mash is then cooked
to a gruel at a temperature exceeding 300 degrees, which is then extruded
through very small shapes. Once this extruded gruel hits the air,
it expands to many times its size. Because this expansion is necessary,
the manufacturer is limited to the amounts of fiber and fat in their
initial formulation or it will not expand. The limitation of fat is
often compensated for by spraying fat on the outside of the morsel
after expansion.


The main problem with this process is the high manufacturing temperatures
involved. At this temperature, many sensitive nutrients are destroyed.
Because of this, the manufacturer must overcompensate to avoid a
nutritional loss or imbalance. Overcompensation leads to guess work,
one is never really sure of what or how much has been destroyed.

Feeding Pet & Exotic Birds

Lake's Pelleted Bird Food ....is specially formulated to provide
optimal, balanced nutrition for birds to help them live long,
healthy lives. These are highly-digestible formulas, which are
made from only the best ingredients.

Optimum nutrition helps give your bird vibrant natural looking
feathers, proper skeletal formation and alert attitude.


You will see the Lake's difference in all your birds, from babies
to adult and breeder birds. All parrots and companion birds from
the smallest parakeet to conures, cockatiels, african greys, amazons,
cockatoos and macaws benefit when on Lake's diets. Lake's is even
proven optimal for rehabing all parrots and even wild backyard birds.


Compare Lake's avian formulas to other diets. Ask yourself if you're
paying for quality ingredients and not just a unique manufacturing
process or chicken feed?

* Balanced nutrition. No known supplements necessary. We do recommend
the addition of fruit and treats.


* A high quality base of wheat, corn, isolated soy protein, alfalfa,
kelp, sunflower (small %), soy oil, fish  solubles, and a complex
balance of vitamins & minerals.

* 100% edible!

* 80-85% digestible protein formulas!

* A truly "pelleted" (not expanded) manufacturing process.


* NO Ethoxyquin or artificial colors/flavorings/sweeteners!



Select The Lakes Ultimate Bird Food Picture
To view more about Each Pelleted Diets for Pet Birds




See Also:

Index of All Bird Care & Birdie Fun Stuff

Search Our Site