Can't decide on a pellet brand

[moniemightycat]

I jsut can't decide on a pellet brand. I was happy with Zupreem original but the store I go to here in Canada doesn't sell it anymore. The clerk said it was because "Since it has animal protein in it, it's not being imported into Canada because of Mad Cow disease!! :grr So I now have them on Zupreem rainbow. I don't like the rainbow stuff because I feel I should be pouring it out of a mini Froot-Loops box into their dish. Too much like candy. So I bought Tropican Egg Granules, which doesn't have scary additives or preservatives and says it's for daily use. My guys hate all pellets so I've been rolling over the pellets with a rolling pin to break them up fine and mix it with seed. At least they're not flinging it out anymore. Whatcha guys think abour Tropican?

[Duddles]

I use the Tropican egg pellets, too. Funny you should mention that brand, because I sent the company some questions about it. I've pasted my questions and the reply below for your info. Please note that he recommended cockatiel lifetime granules for my birds, but I think that's because he thought they were cockatiels, which they're not! I also did the rolling pin thing, but the pellets are quite hard, so it took a lot of muscle! My birds are not so interested in those pellets. I think I may try Harrison's again, although this time, I will go for the Lifetime Mash, rather than the Lifetime Fine Grind. Only thing is - Harrison's is pretty expensive (around $16 for a bag that should not be used for more than 6 weeks), and also hard to find. Pet stores don't sell it. You can only get it online or from vet clinics. They used to advertise free samples on their site, but I don't see anything about that now. You could always write and ask. They have a list of vendors online, and you can find all the ones in Ontario, but I don't think all of the vendors are listed, because I know that Burloak Animal Clinic sells it and they're not on the list. You could always write to the company and ask for a sample. The lifetime mash formula is pretty finely ground already, so it would at least save you having to get out your rolling pin.

I am trying to understand the differences between your various types of pellets, to determine which is better for my birds. I have 2 male budgies - a 4-month old and a 1-year-old. I am trying to decide whether to feed them the Cockatiel Lifetime granules or the Egg Granules. I have several questions about your Tropican pellets. 1) What does "high performance" mean, as listed on your Egg Granules package? I generally avoid anything that says "high performance" because I perceive that to mean it has extra vitamins, which may be harmful to the kidneys or liver in the long term. However, having compared the nutritional information on both packages, I find them to be very similar. I don't understand what "high performance" means. 2) The packaging on your pellets mentions that you use "E.E.C. permitted antioxidants and preservatives." Would you please tell me which preservatives are used? 3) Would you be able to give me a comparison on the sodium levels and sugar levels in these two types of pellets? I noticed that the Egg Granules appear to have more salt in them, but I am wondering how different the two are. If there is any other information available that you could forward to me about these foods, I would appreciate it. I plan to have my birds for a very long time, and I want to make sure that I get the diet that's right for them. I know that the Egg Granules are being marketed for budgies, but I really want to understand how the two foods differ. Thanks very much.

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1) High performance is a descriptor we use for diets that are good for breeders to use. We have feed our 50 pairs of Cockatiels the egg granules for years and they are in great shape. They are not always breeding so for pet maintenance feeding the diet is ok too.

2) The anti-oxidants we use to preserve the food are very safe. We use Rosemary extract which is a very natural and also vitamin C and E. We do not use chemicals like ethoxiquin like some other diets. Also we use a calcium product as a anti fungal agent.

3) Unlike some other companies we do not add sugar to any of our Tropican formulas. I do not understand why you think we do as it is not listed on the ingredients? Salt levels are also very low as this could cause excess drinking by the bird. The difference in the two diets is minimal.

A question you may ask about the two diets is the difference in Protein and fat. The budgie needs less of both so that is why their diet has less.

You could get away with feeding your cockatiel the egg granules as our feeding studies showed. However for long term life of your bird I would stay with the Cockatiel Granules

Mark Hagen, M.Ag.
Rolf C. Hagen, Inc.
Director of Research

[moniemightycat]

Thanks again for the advice. I think I'll try the egg granules as opposed to lifetime granules. (Seeing as I just bought a bag) I like that it has egg in it, because my guys are still terrified of anything un-seed. However, Chubby has tried pasta, some sprouted greens and loves his treat of multi-grain bread so there's light at the end of the tunnel. I'm glad there's so much choice. I friend of mine had a budgie that lived to be 14 on just seed because that's all the food there was in the 70's but I think that's an exception. I was going to contact the company myself, a coincidence eh? Anyway, enjoy your Easter and say hello to your birdies.

[Budgieobsession]

and they seem to actually eat it, although I think its only used for breeding so Im gonig to be buynig the lifetime ones. Which ones do yours eat Duddles?

[moniemightycat]

I copied this from the H.A.R.I website that makes the food. That's something that was puzzling me, whether egg granules was for breeding birds, but as I says below it's balanced for a budgies regular diet. (As far as I can gather)




For baby chicks, Tropican Breeding Diet is a formula product with no guesswork, recipes or cooking required. Tropican High Performance Granules provide stressed or breeding birds with extra protein and minerals. For regular maintenance, Tropican Lifetime Granules or Lifetime Food Sticks ensure that fussy eaters get a full balanced diet. Since Tropican incorporates vitamins and minerals, the Prime Supplement is not needed.


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Tropican Egg Granules
Scientifically formulated as completely balanced extruded tiny granules, enriched with egg protein and other essential vitamins and minerals. Optimal food for canaries, budgies and all other small birds.

[Duddles]

Which ones do yours eat Duddles?

My guys eat no pellets! I currently have them on the egg granules with their seed. The info that they gave me above (that I poasted into my response) wasn't that clear. I was going to switch to the Tropican tiel lifetime formula, but I am going to give Harrison's one more try.

[Jupiter1869]

I feed my budgie Harrisons...he likes it a lot.

[moniemightycat]

Hey Duddles,
I haven't noticed Harrison's in TO. Is there anywhere that sells it?

[Duddles]

Just the kick I needed to call the bird clinics to find out! (I have been meaning to do it.) I called High Park, Britannia, Links and Amherst and they do not sell it. I know of one place in Burlington (my husband works there) that sells it. I don't know how far you're willing to drive out to get it. Burlington is actually only an hour or so to drive. The place is Burloak Animal Clinic. If your birds do end up liking it, it probably won't be as difficult to obtain as you might think. You probably would only want to get a single bag to begin with, but if they do like it, you can go back and buy several months' worth of food the next time you go. It's only once the bag is open that the food needs to be used up in 4-6 weeks. You could potentially buy a 6-9 month supply and as long as you keep the unused bags sealed, it should not be a problem. If I remember correctly, I think there may be an expiry date on the bag. You need to open up and use the food before the expiry date which, again if I remember correctly, is 6-9 months away. But even if you open it up 6 months before the expiry date, you still need to use it within 4-6 weeks of opening.

Here's a Canadian place that sells it online, but it's a bit more expensive, plus the shipping. Ugh.

[moniemightycat]

Hi Duddles,
So do you think the egg granules are suitable for an everyday maintenance diet? And also do you know of any bird conventions in our area in the near future? I'd love to be able to check out new things for my feathery kids.

[Duddles]

Hmmmm - I don't know of any conventions coming up, although I do know there is a Toronto Parrot Club. Can't find any links for it. There is the Budgerigar and Foreign Bird Society - you could check out their site.

As for the egg granules - from the info I received from Hagen, which I pasted above, I was not really convinced that it's OK or not OK to use it as a permanent diet. They say it's OK to feed all the time, but somehow, I really dislike the term "high performance" for everyday feeding, so I probably won't use them forever. It may be OK, though. When I asked my vet about it, I didn't have a package in front of me, but he said that "high performance" diets are no good for elderly birds or for long-term use. But when I compared the vitamin info on the egg granules and the tiel lifetime formula, they're pretty much the same. The budgie diet has slightly less fat and fiber. So really - I don't know. I avoid the whole issue by trying to push Harrison's on my birds! You could always try writing to Hagen and seeing if you get a clear answer.

[Squawk and Howl]

i use harrisons lifetime fine for my budgies (i got through chip and squawk for 9.99/per pound: www.chirpandsquawk.com

and i also use foundation formula & spicer's blend:
www.organicbirdfood.com
or get it through www.thebirdbrain.com,
which had it on sale last time i bought it! all proceeds from the bird brain go to the gabriel foundation- a bird rescue in colorado!

both these brands of pellets are ORGANIC, which i think is important (in both fresh foods & pellets).

the organic bird food site also sells organic seed, nuts, & dried fruit. yay!

anyone know of a place to get organic millet sprays? still haven't found those...