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From: ooblick@intercon.uucp (Mikki Barry)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Bird diets
Message-ID: <1305@intercon.UUCP>
Date: 25 Jul 89 14:58:46 GMT
References: <6603@cloud9.Stratus.COM> <6514@cloud9.Stratus.COM> <1292@intercon.UUCP> <1295@intercon.UUCP>
Sender: news@intercon.UUCP
Reply-To: ooblick@intercon.uucp (Mikki Barry)
Organization: InterCon Systems Corporation
Lines: 43


In article <6603@cloud9.Stratus.COM>, mm@cloud9.Stratus.COM (Mike Mahler) writes:
> 	IF your cock is doing SO much better
>      on pellets, I'll bet that he wan't getting full nutrition
>      from his previous diet and NOT BECAUSE seeds are inherently
>      deficient in vitamins (old seed is) but because birds can
>      pick and choose within the seed which leaves the burden of
>      nutrition up to the owner by finding which seeds are NOT
>      eaten and forcing the birds to eat these or substituting
>      foods that contain similiar nutrative value.  Pellets are a
>      quick fix in my opinion and often make up for a wrong that
>      should be rights the RIGHT way.  This is why my birds get a
>      MIX of seeds and pellets (and what do you know, I didn't
>      have to mortgage my vet since she happens to agree with me
>      8-).

My goodness, we seem to have hit a nerve with Mike today!  If you care to
reread what I wrote, you will find that I was speaking specificially about
MY birds and what I feed them and how they are reacting to what I am feeding
them.  I did not say YOU should feed your birds pellets.  Heaven forbid I
advocate you not picking through your bird's bowl to make sure he is eating
all of the right seeds to get the correct vitamin/mineral mix!  Heaven forbid
that I advocate a diet that is EASIER and contains a good nutritious balance
without leaving it to chance.  Heaven forbid I advocate a diet that has a
constant nutritional content without having to sprout them to make sure!

Mike, what the hell is the "right" way?  You are the one mentioning "right"
(and I assume that means you must think there is a "wrong" too?)  If you
happen to have the "right" way, please inform all those who have been doing
research on avian nutrition for the past "n" years.  I'm sure they will immediately
stop what they are doing and listen to you.

To repeat.  MY BIRDS GET PELLETS, SCIENCE DIET DOG FOOD, FRUIT AND VEGGIES, 
VITAMINS, AND OCCASIONALLY SOME SEEDS.  MY BIRDS LOOK BETTER THAN THEY 
DID ON JUST SEEDS, NEKTON, AND FRUIT AND VEGGIES.  *I* AM HAPPY WITH THIS.
*YOU* MAY NOT BE.

If I recall correctly, someone asked for opinions on feeding birds.  Many
of us gave our opinions.  If you wish to cause a seed v. pellets war, great.
Count me out.

Mikki Barry
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