For years now it seems as if an abundance of artificial feed is being offered and inundating the world of pet owners, especially those with birds.

The end product and manufacturing techniques are varied. At this point I would like to emphasize that my contribution is strictly limited to the maintenance of birds because they represent special circumstances not relevant to the feeding of horses or rodents.

First, let us address the various manufacturing processes.

Firstly there is the compression of raw materials with the help of a small portion of adherence-aiding compounds. Alternatively raw materials are compressed and bound together with the aid of high pressure.

PELLETS

In the manufacture of pellets a variety of methods are used, as well. The differences are primarily based on the temperatures used in processing and the utilization of different substances aiding in the compression, (adherence agents). At this time I do not intend to deal with the varying quality of the raw materials. It would go far beyond the scope of the subject above.

A large variety of the adherence agents is FMV (German animal feed statutes) approved. Their application largely depends on the demands placed upon the end product and the raw materials used. The next factor: Temperature, which impacts the choice of additional ingredients, as well.

Any manufacturing process is preceded by the grinding and homogenous mixing of the raw materials. The mixture is then added to the pellet press and, normally with temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Centigrade, (158 ­ 194 degrees F) and under high mechanical pressure, the pellets are formed. The exception is one manufacturer who has developed a unique procedure allowing him to limit his processing temperature to below 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees F). In that case the consistency of the pellets is less firm than of those produced with the aid of higher temperatures. It is relatively easy to identify the processing temperature by the surface structure of the pellets: While those pellets subjected to high temperatures are smooth and shiny (seemingly greasy), those manufactured with the aid of low temperatures are rough and "crumbly." After drying and cooling, the pellets are ready for further processing.

A simplified method of pellet manufacturing takes advantage of the behavior of "glues" present in various grains. Flower is considered as a simple carrier substance and is then fortified with active ingredients like vitamins, proteins and minerals.

EXTRUSIONS

Extrusions rely on the behavior of starches which expand under heat and "glue" similar to the grain "glues." In this procedure the initial grinding and mixing of the basic material to a porridge like consistency is equally important.

Under very high pressure and temperatures between 120 and 180 degrees Celsius, (248 ­ 356 degrees F), the material is densified, with the temperature further increasing because of the resulting pressure. It is then "exploded" through a matrix, dried und cooled.

REQUIREMENTS

What does such a pellet have to contain to be fed to birds? Obviously, all nutrients and ingredients normally available in untreated food and consequently in the naturally occurring food specific to the various species or food source groups, must be available in the proper and optimum ratios and amounts.

This would suggest that these ingredients must either be initially available in the ground mixture, if not they have to have been added to the mixture or after the initial process has been completed.

This is the weak point: Many vitamins and some essential amino acids are severely damaged by high temperatures and mechanical pressures and thus lose their potency. Here the "low temperature procedure" has the first and decisive advantage. Temperatures below 40 degrees Centigrade are even below the bird’s normal body temperature. The destruction of the sensitive ingredients is therefore avoided or significantly reduced.

This effect on the active and vital ingredients is even more aggravated by the high temperatures and pressures of the extrusion process. In this case all vitamins are potentially destroyed. On the other hand the carbon hydrate content becomes noticeably more effective because it is activated and thus more efficiently utilized. In order to add vital ingredients, extruded pellets are sprayed with vitamins, etc. after the pressing is completed and the material has dried and cooled. As a result of that procedure, the sprayed active ingredients spread themselves in a uniformly and extremely thin layer over the surface. A new procedure with the spraying performed in a vacuum is alleged to yield better results resulting in a uniform coating to the depth of approximately 1 mm.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Except for one manufacturer everyone is now attempting to advertise their pellets as a complete maintenance diet. On the surface this has the great advantage that "everything is in it" and the birds cannot feed selectively. Theoretically a pellet only diet is supposed to be optimal in terms of nutritional completeness and balance. However, where is reality?

Most of our birds in captivity obtain their nutrition from seeds and nuts in their wild habitats. They belong to the group that peels its food prior to consumption. This means that the beak movements cause the kernel to be separated from the hull, which is discarded. As a consequence the hull and all adhering nutrients are lost as a source. Almost all parrot species, (including cockatiels and parakeets), canaries and their relatives as well as the finches carefully separate the hull from the kernel.

These species act identically when eating a pellet. They peel it ­ and remove the majority of vital ingredients which end up as finely ground material on the bottom of the cage. This obviously applies only to those pellets that have been manufactured with the aid of extreme pressures and under high temperatures. Pellets manufactured through the above mentioned low temperature processes are obviously not affected in the same way.

SUMMARY FOR THE BIRD KEEPER

At this point we should be aware that the question "to feed or not to feed pellets" cannot be answered with a simple "yes" of "no". Too many facts contribute to a correct and rational conclusion... For instance, with chickens and pigeons who swallow their feed whole, the issue where the nutritional ingredients are positioned becomes mute.

It is also important whether pellets represent the exclusive feed or if they are supplemented in any way. Exclusive maintenance feed suggests that it satisfies all nutritional requirements of the bird. That is probably never entirely correct, but does not enter into these considerations. With supplemental feeding, it is important to consider what needs to be supplemented and that supplements are usually ingested in smaller amounts than general maintenance feed.

Additionally, the bird’s organism may not be particularly well suited to deal with soft foods. In a normal situation the stomach muscles as well as the intestinal tract have to work hard to digest the food and make the nutrients available to the bird’s body.

Even more importantly, the benefit is not entirely determined by the nutritional ingredients. It is the taste and the mounting boredom of being faced by a daily diet of pellets. Especially parrots tend to suffer from this. Imagine their life in our homes from that point of view: The environment is generally boring, there are no vast or major reference points stimulating their intellect. Very frequently the time owners spend with their charges is not nearly sufficient. Additionally these birds are now deprived of the stimulation of their taste buds which could serve as a diversion. No wonder they regress into a state of permanent, stupefying boredom and start plucking.

Now we arrive at the conclusion that a pellet or extruded diet is the worst thing we can possibly do to our birds. *It can cause negative changes in their intestinal system (already established by research in the United States). *Depending on the manufacturing process the nutrients may be present, but will not be digested by all those birds that instinctively peel their food. The result is a permanent state of undernourishment. *Lack of stimulation leads to serious behavioral problems, especially with parrots. Food not offering a choice increases the incidents of plucking.

All the points stated, clearly demand the rejection of an exclusive maintenance pellet diet. It is entirely possible that pellets, fed exclusively of anything else may well be against the laws established for the protection of animals, (in Germany): Various internal organs will be affected and ultimately will not be able to function normally.

Finally, an (albeit controversial) thought: No-one will eat the very same food every single day without being forced to do so. Do we really want to submit our charges to this?