kaytee seed

[carriesb]

I have heard bad things about kaytee and I know it's mostly because they have ethoxyquin in there products but they have changed the fiesta brand and it sounds real good. I've also heard they operate bird mills? Anyone know the scoop on that.

http://www.kaytee.com/products/search/?pid=42648
Ingredients
Millet, Canary Grass Seed, Oat Groats, Wheat, Niger Seed, Safflower, Flax Seed, Hulled Sesame Seed, Rape Seed, Calcium Carbonate, Peanut Pieces, Rice, Hulled Sunflower, Dehydrated Carrots, Caraway Seed, Ground Corn, Buckwheat, Melon Seed, Dried Papaya, Fennel Seed, Anise Seed, Coconut, Lettuce Seed, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Dehydrated Spinach, Wheat Middlings, Dehydrated Apples, Dicalcium Phosphate, Soy Oil, Salt, Dried Whole Egg, Dried Beet Pulp, Wheat Germ Meal, L-Lysine, Dextrose, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative), DL-Methionine, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Rosemary Extract, Citric Acid, Orange Oil, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Copper Sulfate, Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Canthaxanthin, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Cobalt Carbonate, Biotin, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Color.

[Monica]

I don't really care for Kaytee products since their foods contain artificial coloring, and I've heard some bad things about some specific ones... plus-which, the coloring can change the color of the poops so therefore you cannot watch for something that could be a warning sign...

Of course, IMPO, I'd rather stay clear of artifical colorings of any type, and even if the bag DID contain artificial coloring, it should say specifically what colors of what type. I just don't think Kaytee is the best brand out there is all...

[wazookeeper]

I use Kaytee products for some of my non-bird pets. My only problem has been that they have some quality-control issues. They don't seem to thoroughly empty out their transport bins or sacks or whatever they use to haul stuff around the factory. So from time to time you'll find birdseed in the rabbit food (for example). Y'know, a couple of bits at the bottom of the bag that obviously belong with a different product.

[svolk]

Not all the Kaytee seed mixes contain artificial coloring. I currently use the Fortified seed mixes for Budgies and Cockatiels since I had a big bag of each and I'm going to use it up until it's finished. There is no artificial coloring and no sunflower seeds, and it seems to be a clean seed mix.

[Mlewis]

The Fiesta looks good, but the Exthoxyquin or however its spelled always detered me from buying their stuff.

[birdsnthings]

First, I would like the definition of a "Bird Mill" as USDA does not have one.
Kaytee has their own division called "Preferred Pets". Brokerage does not make a breeder or a so called "Bird Mill", not that I am defending them. I wish the Animal Rights people would get it right.

Second, Ethoxyquin can be in any of the bird food and not be listed on the label of any food. There isn't a law that states it has to be a listed ingredient which is how the companies can get away with it. Since there has been some objection to insecticide being used as a preservative and many people not wanting it in the diet, it's use could limit sales. However, "E" is used to preserve Paprika and Chili Pepper.

I personally believe there are better diets available but it is a choice and of course what your bird will eat. Some birds will only eat the "Fiesta" diet as I have seen but the diet of a bird should be "everything in moderation" to include veggies, meat, fish, poulty and a limit on fruits except for the birds who would require it more often.

[jimpierce7]

The Kaytee organic has always been Sophie and Zoey's favorite, I think its because it looks like Cheerios, I don't know how they know that tho............

[birdsnthings]

http://companionparrot.com/Kaytee%20...ed%20Birds.htm

This may explain Kaytee's Preferred Pets program.

[carriesb]

Thanks for the responses I'll keep thinking about it to see what I think the best seed is. I used to get a bulk seed from a breeder here but they've gone out of business so i'm looking for a new brand. I was thinking kaytee because they sent me some coupons. And this brand doesn't have "e" in it because they advertised natural preservative.
That's scary thought that they don't have to put it on the ingredients.
And as far as the preferred pets program it's kinda funny that the most socialized easy going bird I have is from petsmart. But I worked with him alot. He's my avatar.

[birdsnthings]

Take a look at the Kaytee Supreme diet. You may find that you like that.
Alice