Malus
Meeting neighbors
Hey everyone. I'm hoping someone here could help provide some insight because I've been somewhat obsessively comparing the guaranteed analysis and ingredients of a few different pellet brands for my Cockatiel and frankly I'm not sure what is "best."
Here are the three I am caught between...
HARI Tropican Bird Food, Hagen Parrot Food with Peanuts & Sunflower Seeds, Maintenance Parrot Granules 2 mm, Lifetime Formula
Extruded corn, ground wheat, soybean meal, soybean oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), peanut kernels, sunflower kernels, brewers rice, dried corn fermentation soluble product, calcium carbonate, carotene, oat groats, flaxseed meal, spirulina, calcium propionate (preservative), L-lysine, salt, choline chloride, DL-methionine, orange oil, banana oil, beta carotene, rosemary extract, zinc oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, folic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, ascorbic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein 14.0% (min), Crude fat 9.0% (min), Crude fiber 4.0% (max), Ash 4.5% (max), Moisture 9.0% (max)
Roudybush Maintenance Crumbles
Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Soy Meal, Soy Oil, Alfalfa, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Arginine, Niacin, Silicon Dioxide (anti-caking aid), Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vegetable O. Manganese Sulfate, Yucca shidigera Extract, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Dried Yeast, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 11.0% (min), Crude Fat 6.0% (min), Crude Fiber 3.5% (max), Moisture 12.0% (max)
Mazuri Small Bird Diet
Ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, corn gluten meal, flaxseed, glycerol monostearate, dicalcium phosphate, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, wheat germ, brewers dried yeast, calcium propionate (a preservative), l-lysine, salt, dl-methionine, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (stabilized vitamin C), choline chloride, Lactobacillus casei fermentation product dehydrated, Bifidobacterium thermophilum fermentation product dehydrated, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, Enterococcus faecium fermentation product dehydrated, beta carotene, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K) Preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin E), cholecalciferol, rosemary extract, folic acid, Vitamin A acetate, citric acid, manganous oxide, riboflavin, marigold extract, zinc oxide, calcium iodate, calcium panthothenate, thiamine mononitrate, nicotinic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, L-Tryptophan, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 14.5% (min), Crude Fat 5.0% (min), Crude Fiber 5.0% (max), Ash 8.0% (max), Moisture 12.0% (max), Vitamin E 150 IU/kg (min), Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.40% (min)
So, I'm really conflicted - Mainly because I don't know which of the three best suits a cockatiel's nutritional needs. They're all pellets that are designed to be suitable for multiple species and they all have slight differences in ingredients and analysis. At a glance with no knowledge, it seems like Mazuri might be the healthiest option, as it is high in protein, highest in fiber, and has the least amount of crude fat. Mazuri is also the only brand that has a guaranteed analysis of vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acid. In terms of brand loyalty, I've used Roudybush pretty much religiously, but on closer inspection I've noticed a few things that I find a little concerning. For example, why does Roudybush have straight-up salt in it's ingredient list? It also has the least amount of variety in terms of staple ingredients, only consisting primarily of corn, wheat, soy, and alfalfa. HARI, on the other hand, has a diverse variety of staples in addition to the mainstays such as peanuts, sunflower, brewer's rice, oat groats, flaxseed meal, and spirulina. Finally - What is "Ash" and why does Mazuri have a whopping 8% max in it's analysis whilst Roudybush has none?
If anyone can give me some insight into some of the basics of nutrition and/or some good sources to help me decide.. I'd really appreciate it. Right now I have Roudybush Nibbles, Mazuri Small Bird and Mazuri Mini Bird diet that I offer as a mix but I am getting low on everything. That means I'm going to have to put an order in soon. Perhaps I should pick up a small bag of a couple different options and continue to mix in order to balance the shortcomings of each brand?
For anyone that's curious.. In addition to pellets I also offer a sprinkling of dried bird-friendly herbs, cooked pasta, quinoa, and rice, plus the standard fruit/veg chop, and my own custom seed and grain blend that I make using human-grade products, usually organic. I aim for a ratio of 50%-75% pellet to 10-15% seed and 20-25% chop with maybe 5% pasta/cooked grains and 0.5% herbs.
And before you say it - Yes, I know, I'm overthinking it. It's what I do.
EDIT: I'm continuing to research after posting this and I figured I'd share what I learned about the "Ash" metric in the guaranteed analysis. Here's what I've learned:
When ash is used related to animal foods, it means minerals – calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, etc. Ash is a crude measurement of the total amounts of minerals in a diet. It’s called ash because of how it is determined. Samples of feed are put into a furnace and then burned until they reach a constant weight. This means that the only thing left is elements that won’t burn, namely minerals. All organic materials such as fat, protein, fiber, and vitamins have been completely burned away. So, ash isn’t added to food, it’s what is left when everything else burns away during analysis; it is just one way to measure minerals in a diet.
Read more here: "All About Ash"
Here are the three I am caught between...
HARI Tropican Bird Food, Hagen Parrot Food with Peanuts & Sunflower Seeds, Maintenance Parrot Granules 2 mm, Lifetime Formula
Extruded corn, ground wheat, soybean meal, soybean oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), peanut kernels, sunflower kernels, brewers rice, dried corn fermentation soluble product, calcium carbonate, carotene, oat groats, flaxseed meal, spirulina, calcium propionate (preservative), L-lysine, salt, choline chloride, DL-methionine, orange oil, banana oil, beta carotene, rosemary extract, zinc oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, folic acid, niacin, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, ascorbic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein 14.0% (min), Crude fat 9.0% (min), Crude fiber 4.0% (max), Ash 4.5% (max), Moisture 9.0% (max)
Roudybush Maintenance Crumbles
Ground Corn, Ground Wheat, Soy Meal, Soy Oil, Alfalfa, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, L-Arginine, Niacin, Silicon Dioxide (anti-caking aid), Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vegetable O. Manganese Sulfate, Yucca shidigera Extract, Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate, Dried Yeast, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 11.0% (min), Crude Fat 6.0% (min), Crude Fiber 3.5% (max), Moisture 12.0% (max)
Mazuri Small Bird Diet
Ground corn, wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, corn gluten meal, flaxseed, glycerol monostearate, dicalcium phosphate, soybean oil, calcium carbonate, wheat germ, brewers dried yeast, calcium propionate (a preservative), l-lysine, salt, dl-methionine, Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (stabilized vitamin C), choline chloride, Lactobacillus casei fermentation product dehydrated, Bifidobacterium thermophilum fermentation product dehydrated, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, Enterococcus faecium fermentation product dehydrated, beta carotene, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K) Preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of vitamin E), cholecalciferol, rosemary extract, folic acid, Vitamin A acetate, citric acid, manganous oxide, riboflavin, marigold extract, zinc oxide, calcium iodate, calcium panthothenate, thiamine mononitrate, nicotinic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, L-Tryptophan, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 14.5% (min), Crude Fat 5.0% (min), Crude Fiber 5.0% (max), Ash 8.0% (max), Moisture 12.0% (max), Vitamin E 150 IU/kg (min), Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.40% (min)
So, I'm really conflicted - Mainly because I don't know which of the three best suits a cockatiel's nutritional needs. They're all pellets that are designed to be suitable for multiple species and they all have slight differences in ingredients and analysis. At a glance with no knowledge, it seems like Mazuri might be the healthiest option, as it is high in protein, highest in fiber, and has the least amount of crude fat. Mazuri is also the only brand that has a guaranteed analysis of vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acid. In terms of brand loyalty, I've used Roudybush pretty much religiously, but on closer inspection I've noticed a few things that I find a little concerning. For example, why does Roudybush have straight-up salt in it's ingredient list? It also has the least amount of variety in terms of staple ingredients, only consisting primarily of corn, wheat, soy, and alfalfa. HARI, on the other hand, has a diverse variety of staples in addition to the mainstays such as peanuts, sunflower, brewer's rice, oat groats, flaxseed meal, and spirulina. Finally - What is "Ash" and why does Mazuri have a whopping 8% max in it's analysis whilst Roudybush has none?
If anyone can give me some insight into some of the basics of nutrition and/or some good sources to help me decide.. I'd really appreciate it. Right now I have Roudybush Nibbles, Mazuri Small Bird and Mazuri Mini Bird diet that I offer as a mix but I am getting low on everything. That means I'm going to have to put an order in soon. Perhaps I should pick up a small bag of a couple different options and continue to mix in order to balance the shortcomings of each brand?
For anyone that's curious.. In addition to pellets I also offer a sprinkling of dried bird-friendly herbs, cooked pasta, quinoa, and rice, plus the standard fruit/veg chop, and my own custom seed and grain blend that I make using human-grade products, usually organic. I aim for a ratio of 50%-75% pellet to 10-15% seed and 20-25% chop with maybe 5% pasta/cooked grains and 0.5% herbs.
And before you say it - Yes, I know, I'm overthinking it. It's what I do.
EDIT: I'm continuing to research after posting this and I figured I'd share what I learned about the "Ash" metric in the guaranteed analysis. Here's what I've learned:
When ash is used related to animal foods, it means minerals – calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, etc. Ash is a crude measurement of the total amounts of minerals in a diet. It’s called ash because of how it is determined. Samples of feed are put into a furnace and then burned until they reach a constant weight. This means that the only thing left is elements that won’t burn, namely minerals. All organic materials such as fat, protein, fiber, and vitamins have been completely burned away. So, ash isn’t added to food, it’s what is left when everything else burns away during analysis; it is just one way to measure minerals in a diet.
Read more here: "All About Ash"
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