Seed Diets and Nutritional Deficiencies

Seed Diets and Nutritional Deficiencies

Since ancient times, domesticated birds have been fed seeds as their primary source of nutrition. Today, seeds remain the most popular way to feed birds, but unfortunately, seeds are not the perfect food for birds. Why? Although seeds can be used as a basic diet, they are unable to offer all the nutrients a bird needs.

Seed Types and Mixtures

You will come across two basic types of birdseeds:

Cereal - Millets, canary seed, de-hulled oats. These are low in fat but high in carbohydrates.
Oil Seeds - Sunflower, peanuts, hemp, pine nuts. These are high in fat and carbohydrates.

Commercial pet food companies have specially prepared birdseed mixtures that have added nutritional value and are generally more palatable to your bird. The best solution is to balance your bird's diet with pellets, seeds and fresh foods.

Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of feeding just seeds to your bird:

Advantages

Highly digestible
Palatable
Convenient
Inexpensive

Disadvantages

Nutritionally deficient - lacks Vitamins A, D and B12, Calcium and Protein.
You need to supplement with fresh vegetables and/or fruit.
Loses nutritional value with age.
You must buy small quantities at a time.
Has limited shelf life - seeds that are "dead" or unable to sprout have little or no nutritional value. Test your seed stock's shelf life by trying to sprout a handful in a moist medium. If seeds fail to sprout, replace the whole batch with fresh seeds.
May become infested with rodents or insects. If buying packaged, opt for sealed bags over boxes. If buying bulk, examine thoroughly for insects or rodent droppings.

PETCO highly recommends you feed your bird a pelleted diet and use seeds as a treat.