Senior Research Paper

[ARS8birds]

Ok, mods, I am very much aware of the fact the rescorces section is probally a better spot, but, I can't post threads there. I'm new, so, I don't know if it's suppose to be like that. This seemed like the next best thing.

Ok, Forum readers:

A while back, I worked at a Bird Shop. While working there, my boss said some things, rumors that I believed, and never once verified. Unfortuantly, we had a falling out. So, I can't ask her to cite her sources directly. I wish I could be real specific about what she said, but, if the rumors are false, I have no intention on making it worse.

So, for my senior research paper, I have in fact decided to investigate these rumors. I'm starting my search online, hoping that a good study can lead to a even bigger book of studies. I'm having a difficult time, and heres where I require help.

For my Senior research paper, I am looking for an unbiased as possible, study in an Avian Medicine journal, or any journal in general that my have information regarding pelleted diets in birds.


Some people have already suggested to me google scholar, www.aav.org ( I e-mailed them yesterday, and am waiting for a response)
If this doesn't go the way I want it to go, I have a back- up plan.
So, if anyone knows any good journals,please, let me know. I am aware that you have to pay for most of them.
Please help!

[Monica]

You know, this is quite interesting! I'm doing my senior research project on parrot nutrition, if I'm even able to get all the information that I need... I see though that you are going into something more specific which would be the pellet diets... I'm not sure how long yours must be, but mine must be 15 pgs long, typed, so I of course needed something with a broader range...

You might be interested in these though...
http://www.qi-whiz.com/pu/pellet.html
http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa082200.htm

I'm not sure what exact information that you are looking for, though you may want to look into how pellets are made, if the dies in the pellets are beneficial, what birds do not benefit from pellets i.e. how pellets effect eclectus, is a pelleted diet ideal for lories/lorikeets and why or why not, look into why pellet companies make various shapes and/or colors of pellets or if the bland looking pellets are better... you may also want to look into what an ideal diet is that has pellets in it, or even about the ingredients or preservatives in the pellets...

A book of mine, The Healthy Bird Cookbook by Robin Deutsch, says that a good basic diet would be 25% pellets, 25% seeds, 45% healthy foods such as fresh and cooked foods, 5% nuts and meats...

I'd also like to add this information about pellets, if it were to help you any (came from the bird cookbook).

Pellet Advantages
Vitamins & Minerals already added
Provide more protein than seeds can (or than dry, non-germinated seeds)
No seed moths or beetles
Less Waste
Less mess with some birds
Different Shapes, Colors, Smell
Cost less than seed per serving

Pellet Disadvantages
Reports of vitamin toxicity in some individuals
Too high protein causes kidney problems (one individual on this board can prove this with his cockatiel)
Proper Storage still needed
Some Birds may not enjoy pellets
Others may throw pellets



I do have some more information from the book about pellets if you'd be interested in some more...

[Tiki]

Actually since this topic is about bird nutrition, I will move it to Bird Talk where more people will see it.

[ARS8birds]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Actually since this topic is about bird nutrition, I will move it to Bird Talk where more people will see it.

Thanks.

Also thank you to Monica