Pros and Cons of Organic Pet Bird Seed

There are many different types of pet bird seed on the market, and organic pet bird seed is rising in popularity. As with humans, health issues are always prevalent in the animal kingdom, with many bird owners being left with more questions than answers on the topic of bird diet. Organic food has doubters and supporters, but if the issue is broken down, is it worth the extra expense?

Bird Nutrition

Birds, as with humans, need a balanced diet that consists of more than just seed. Bird seed mixes tend to comprise pellets, vegetables, fruit and grain in addition to seed. This provides a pet bird with a healthy balanced diet, and as with any animal, results in a better and happier life. Birds that do not eat seed normally eat a food formula, which comprise similar ingredients as to that of seed eating birds.

Organic or Not Organic, that is the Question

If you are considering switching to organic pet bird seed, consider the results of a recent study in the UK. Research into the feeding habits of garden birds, showed that they instinctively ate non-organic seed rather than organic seed. There is no clear reason as to why, but the non-organic seed did have considerably more protein, up to 10%, than non-organic seed. Though the study was inconclusive in terms of definite results, the most likely reason for the bird's choice was the higher protein content, as protein helps wild birds survive the winter. A similar study in canaries also showed the birds preferred non organic seed as well.

Long-Term View

The researchers of the study were quick to point out that it was inconclusive whether eating organic seeds was better for the long term health of a pet or wild bird. This mirrors results in the human world, where the long term effects of eating fertilizers and other chemicals on a daily basis is inconclusive. The reason for this, is that food studies take a long time to draw conclusions, as it is often a question of a waiting game.

The Rise of Organic Food

Organic seed costs more than non-organic bird seed as a result of the more labor-intensive farming needed to produce the food. Subsequently, this is reflected in the price. The organic food market is huge and is increasing by $6 billion per year in both Europe and America. It currently commands around 2% of the global food market. Some of this revenue, lies in pet food.

Pros and Cons

It is difficult to pinpoint if organic bird seed provides health benefits for a bird or not. The studies have been short-term rather than taking a long view, and were predominately focused on the choices of birds, rather than long-term health research.

Due to the increased cost of organic pet bird seed, it could be wise to take a perspective that if you cannot afford to feed a bird organic food, then that is ok, as results are at best questionable. If it is affordable and you want to, then why not?