Friday, August 22, 2014

Buy The Best Canary Seed Mix

By Deanne Shepard


An immense variety of bird foods are sold today and this can make product selection difficult. A canary seed mix, for example, can consist of many different combinations of seeds in varying quantities. Canary seeds, flax, rape, hemp and millet may all be used in different amounts. Certain factors like seasons, age and health of canaries have to be taken into account when making a choice.

If a bird is underdeveloped or suffering from failure to sing, prolonged molt or color changes, it is most likely not getting the required nutrients. Seeds provide many of the nutrients required but the combination and quantities of the various seeds needs to be right too. Rape seeds, for example, contain a lot of oil whereas others are more starchy.

Matching the diets of canaries to different periods of the year is the sensible approach employed by most breeders. They may require a diet that is higher in protein during mating season or one higher in fat during winter. Those who live in aviaries rather than cages may need more carbohydrates in their diets as they are more active.

Sometimes the blends available from local pet stores are rather limited. Doing an online search offers a greater variety of options. A choice can be made of the best possible combination to suit specific conditions and requirements. Many of these mixes are designed by experts and the ingredients are carefully balanced. Ingredients as well as prices can be easily compared. Reading reviews is also helpful to find out what success other customers have had with a particular product.

The best of these mixes will contain all natural ingredients with no added preservatives, dyes or synthetic ingredients. The seeds will be fresh and shiny. Seeds should never be used if they are too old or have become damp or moldy.

A number of the mixes available commercially are designed by experts and the combination of ingredients is carefully considered. As green leafy vegetables like spinach are an essential part of the diet, they are often added to mixes. Fruit like pears or apples may also be added. Some products even contain nuts, fruit and vegetables as well as the seeds.

Birds living in cages indoors will need extra vitamins in their diets. These can be added to their food or water but some mixes contain vitamin enriched seeds. Too many vitamins is not advised and these mixes often have the right amount added, taking away any guesswork. Other supplements can also be added to address particular conditions.

The type of mix purchased may need to change at times. For example, more fat is usually required in winter to cope with the cold and rape seeds are a good source of fat. A combination that is higher in protein may be needed during breeding season. Whatever mix is required, it is easy to source and purchase from an online store.




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