Anyone use Top Organic Pellets?

Featheredsamurai · Apr 16, 2012

Someone mentioned Top organic pellets on the forum and I've been looking around at them online, I'm a little worried over how affordable they are. Kinda sad, all the organic pellets are pretty pricey and seeing one that isn't throws me off a little lol. All the main ingredients are the same as feed your flock, but sooooooo much less expensive. And it looks very similar to feed your flock as well which seems like a good sign.

Anyone have experience with them?

FutureDVM · Apr 16, 2012

I know there are a couple members here that use them, but I haven't personally used them at all. The main disadvantage I've heard is that they crumble very easily and turn into powder, so some of the food ends up being wasted. I personally prefer Harrison's (even though it's more expensive), but I would probably feed the TOPs if I ever couldn't find Harrison's.

newtobirds · Apr 16, 2012

My parrot is very pellet friendly and eats them happily. However, she hates TOPS. She will eat every food item in the bowl and leave the TOPS lay. So we are one-bag-and-out at this house.

Featheredsamurai · Apr 16, 2012

FutureDVM said:
I know there are a couple members here that use them, but I haven't personally used them at all. The main disadvantage I've heard is that they crumble very easily and turn into powder, so some of the food ends up being wasted. I personally prefer Harrison's (even though it's more expensive), but I would probably feed the TOPs if I ever couldn't find Harrison's.

I'm currently trying to feed her harrison's and but she won't touch it

Her favorite pellet is Lafeber's but with a past of bad diets she really needs to be on the best.

newtobirds My parrot is very pellet friendly and eats them happily. However, she hates TOPS. She will eat every food item in the bowl and leave the TOPS lay. So we are one-bag-and-out at this house.

Rosie actually dislikes Harrison's because it isn't crumbly lol, even when I smash it into little pieces it is still to hard for her liking, and unfortunately she thinks soaked pellets are horrible.

I might try a 1 pound bag and see what she thinks. I really want to have her on feed your flock, but I'm a college student without a job and I want to see what other options I have before I buy such a expensive pellet.

lexx510 · Apr 16, 2012

FutureDVM said:
I know there are a couple members here that use them, but I haven't personally used them at all. The main disadvantage I've heard is that they crumble very easily and turn into powder, so some of the food ends up being wasted. I personally prefer Harrison's (even though it's more expensive), but I would probably feed the TOPs if I ever couldn't find Harrison's.

Yes, they do crumble rather easily. However, they've made a new size available for smaller parrots, which really helps to reduce waste. I have been using them for a while now and Guava, our green cheek conure, loves them. She rushes back into her cage as soon as I pour some more into her bowl.

They are much more affordable than Harrison's (4lb bag for <$14), and unlike Harrison's, are completely organic and free of synthetic vitamins and minerals.

FutureDVM · Apr 16, 2012

lexx510 said:
Yes, they do crumble rather easily. However, they've made a new size available for smaller parrots, which really helps to reduce waste. I have been using them for a while now and Guava, our green cheek conure, loves them. She rushes back into her cage as soon as I pour some more into her bowl.

They are much more affordable than Harrison's (4lb bag for <$14), and unlike Harrison's, are completely organic and free of synthetic vitamins and minerals.

I'm not sure what you mean by "synthetic minerals". Minerals, by definition, are naturally occurring chemical substances. Could you also provide a source of info confirming that the vitamins in Harrison's pellets are synthetic?

Rio Mom · Apr 16, 2012

I have been giving Pepper Harrisons mixed with TOPS. She picks out all the Harrisons, and will only rarely eat any of the TOPS if she's really hungry. If she still won't eat any of the TOPS once this bag is gone, I'm going to just stick with only Harrisons. Sure wish she would eat both.

lexx510 · Apr 16, 2012

FutureDVM said:
lexx510 said:

Yes, they do crumble rather easily. However, they've made a new size available for smaller parrots, which really helps to reduce waste. I have been using them for a while now and Guava, our green cheek conure, loves them. She rushes back into her cage as soon as I pour some more into her bowl.

They are much more affordable than Harrison's (4lb bag for <$14), and unlike Harrison's, are completely organic and free of synthetic vitamins and minerals.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by "synthetic minerals". Minerals, by definition, are naturally occurring chemical substances. Could you also provide a source of info confirming that the vitamins in Harrison's pellets are synthetic?

Harrison's Adult Lifetime:

Ingredients: *Ground Yellow Corn, *Ground Hull-less Barley, *Ground Hulled Grey Millet, *Ground Soybeans, *Ground Shelled Peanuts, *Ground Shelled Sunflower Seeds, *Ground Lentils, *Ground Green Peas, *Ground Toasted Oat Groats, *Ground Alfalfa, *Ground Rice, *Chia Seed, Calcium Carbonate, Montmorillonite Clay, Vitamin E Supplement, Ground Dried Sea Kelp, Sea Salt, *Sunflower Oil, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, * Algae Meal, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, D-Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Carbonate, *Vegetable Oil.
*CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENT

As you can see, only the starred ingredients are certified organic. The vitamins are listed as supplements (laboratory-made vitamins that are far cheaper than whole food concentrates). The problem is that synthetic vitamins are not always fully absorbed or properly broken down.There are several articles and studies on synthetic/supplementary forms of vitamins. Feel free to Google (just be weary of the source) and decide for yourself.

Here's one article which sums up my point quite nicely.

Many people take vitamins to fill the gap when they know they're not really eating right and may not be getting all the nutrients their bodies need from their diets. Unfortunately, the majority of vitamin supplements and multivitamins available for purchase in markets and pharmacies are synthetic, not natural. Your body may not be able to use them, and they often contain substances you might not be aware of.
Purpose of Synthesizing
Manufacturers find it prohibitively expensive to produce natural vitamins. Creating a natural vitamin involves growing and cultivating them. Without additives, they might have a much shorter shelf life and might not sell before their expiration date. Synthetic vitamins are manufactured substances that are similar to natural vitamins, derived from chemicals, notably petroleum, or segments of natural vitamins.

What Synthetic Vitamins Are Made Of
Synthetic vitamin C is usually just ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is a component of vitamin C, along with tyrosine and bioflavonoids. If you purchase synthetic vitamin C, you're not really getting vitamin C, but ascorbic acid, which is manufactured from corn sugar when used in vitamins. Similarly, manufacturers create synthetic B vitamins from coal tar, or petroleum. Alpha tocopherol is usually marketed as vitamin E, but it makes up only one part of natural vitamin E. Folic acid is similar to folate, but it's not the real deal. Your body can't always process mere portions of natural vitamins or chemical "clones" because it relies on all the properties contained in natural vitamins to completely metabolize them.
Mineral Content
Because minerals don't come from live plant sources, those contained in synthetic multivitamins don't undergo the same manufacturing process as the vitamin components do. However, isolated synthetic vitamins not purchased in multivitamin form, such as one marketed as vitamin A, may contain no trace minerals at all. If they don't, your body must draw upon its own mineral stores in order to process them. Whole foods offer both vitamins and minerals, so this doesn't happen. Synthetic multivitamins sometimes also contain trace minerals in quantities over and above what your body needs, and your body does not require great quantities. Unless you're suffering a deficiency in one of them, they might do you more harm than good.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/487304-what-are-synthetic-vitamins-minerals/#ixzz1sG9mSJCC

Read more: What Are Synthetic Vitamins & Minerals? | LIVESTRONG.COM

Here's another great insert about minerals:

Most supplements also contain minerals which as you saw above are required for optimal health. It is fairly easy to understand that the body has to have these minerals in a form that it can use. We know that iron is needed, but putting a chunk of the metal in you mouth is not very pleasant and it doesn't really help much.

Minerals are found in three states:

Metallic (Inorganic) This is basically ground up rock. Not water soluble and the body only absorbs about 8%.

Chelated – this is complicated – basically the minerals are “firmly attached” or coated by an amino acid. When seen on supplements, this is a industrialized chemical process which is usually not effective. The idea is to make the mineral water soluble thereby it is able to be adsorbed easier. The increase of effectiveness is generally not considered to be very good except by manufacturers of supplements.

Hydrophilic – These are minerals which have entered a living plant thru the root system. These are water soluble and are about 200 to 2000 times smaller, allowing the body to absorb almost 100%.

It is easy to see that again live whole food based nutrition is most efficient and effective.

http://healthconscious.hubpages.com/hub/Live-Whole-Foods-or-Isolated-Synthetic-Multi-Vitamins

Please don't just take my word for it. I encourage you to do the research and decide for yourself. Google scholar has several research articles available for viewing with studies pertaining to the matter.

Featheredsamurai · Apr 16, 2012

I ordered the 4 pound bag of Top Organic pellets. I wish she did like Harrison's since I can buy it at the vet, but I have a good feeling about this new pellet

it should arrive in 3 days. I'll let you know what Rosie and I think of it.

lexx510 · Apr 17, 2012

Copperarabian said:
I ordered the 4 pound bag of Top Organic pellets. I wish she did like Harrison's since I can buy it at the vet, but I have a good feeling about this new pellet

it should arrive in 3 days. I'll let you know what Rosie and I think of it.

I hope that Rosie enjoys them. It took Guava just a few days to start munching on them full time. I think I hand fed the first few to her as treats.

By the way, I'm not sure where you are in California but there are some stores here that carry them, as well. I remember seeing a list of carriers on their website, if I'm not mistaken. There's a store near me which carries them (along with Harrison's) and so I'm able to save on the shipping.

http://totallyorganics.com/support.php

Featheredsamurai · Apr 17, 2012

lexx510 said:
Copperarabian said:

I ordered the 4 pound bag of Top Organic pellets. I wish she did like Harrison's since I can buy it at the vet, but I have a good feeling about this new pellet

it should arrive in 3 days. I'll let you know what Rosie and I think of it.

Click to expand...

I hope that Rosie enjoys them. It took Guava just a few days to start munching on them full time. I think I hand fed the first few to her as treats.

By the way, I'm not sure where you are in California but there are some stores here that carry them, as well. I remember seeing a list of carriers on their website, if I'm not mistaken. There's a store near me which carries them (along with Harrison's) and so I'm able to save on the shipping.

Totally Organics TOP Organic Bird Pellets

Cool there's a store that's 19 miles away that carries it

Still kind of far, but less then shipping cost. I got 3 day for $18 because I'm excited and want it to come fast lol. And maybe I can convince a closer private owned store to look into it.

MissyMe83 · Apr 17, 2012

I've tried just about every pellet out there to see what my bird likes and he didn't touch this pellet. I'm currently feeding Zupreme, but he seems to be tiring of all the flavors so I just ordered the Goldenfeast Goldn 'Obles. They are all natural w/ no dyes, and they look birdie tempting in shape so hopefully he likes them....

Featheredsamurai · Apr 17, 2012

MissyMe83 said:
I've tried just about every pellet out there to see what my bird likes and he didn't touch this pellet. I'm currently feeding Zupreme, but he seems to be tiring of all the flavors so I just ordered the Goldenfeast Goldn 'Obles. They are all natural w/ no dyes, and they look birdie tempting in shape so hopefully he likes them....

I used uncolored Zupreem diet when I was trying different types of pellets to get her off of seeds, I later learned that they are cooked at a higher temperatre and loose a lot of the nutrients during the process. They where also a little hard for her, she has such a petite beak lol

It's awesome hearing about the different types of pellets birds favor, they(the birds) are all so unique and different in what they enjoy.

Featheredsamurai · Apr 19, 2012

So the pellets came today, I felt like a excited little kid on Christmas as I opened the box XD I'm sooo incredible happy with these pellets! When I opened the bag it wafted out a wonderful fresh smell. I had Rosie downstairs for playtime in a towel in the living room floor where she was tearing up cardboard and paper so I offered her some and she accepted them immediately. I like that it has a similar texture to Lafeber's pellets, she loves how they fall apart so easily.

They also sent me a one pound bag of their certified organic seed mix! At first I was very excited about getting something for free, then I realized I probably couldn't feed it to Rosie since I avoid giving her seeds. After reading the label my excitement returned because it can be used as sprouting. I've wanted to try sprouting seeds and now I can

lexx510 · Apr 19, 2012

Copperarabian said:
So the pellets came today, I felt like a excited little kid on Christmas as I opened the box XD I'm sooo incredible happy with these pellets! When I opened the bag it wafted out a wonderful fresh smell. I had Rosie downstairs for playtime in a towel in the living room floor where she was tearing up cardboard and paper so I offered her some and she accepted them immediately. I like that it has a similar texture to Lafeber's pellets, she loves how they fall apart so easily.

They also sent me a one pound bag of their certified organic seed mix! At first I was very excited about getting something for free, then I realized I probably couldn't feed it to Rosie since I avoid giving her seeds. After reading the label my excitement returned because it can be used as sprouting. I've wanted to try sprouting seeds and now I can

That is wonderful news. I'm so glad to hear that Rosie liked them! Oh, and if you find Rosie to be wasteful with them (since they do crumble rather easily), you can use the crumbs to make birdy muffins for her as well. I usually collect some of Guava's left overs, freeze them, and then use them to bake something for her.

Featheredsamurai · Apr 19, 2012

That is wonderful news. I'm so glad to hear that Rosie liked them! Oh, and if you find Rosie to be wasteful with them (since they do crumble rather easily), you can use the crumbs to make birdy muffins for her as well. I usually collect some of Guava's left overs, freeze them, and then use them to bake something for her.[/QUOTE]
I had been making her birdie breed muffins before but my vet advised me not to, at least until she is completely healthy. Her organs are luckily all ok but she has almost no feather dust(although it's slowly returning now) and her feathers are also oily(also getting better). Her droppings used to be yellowish but that has also gone back to the nice white it's supposed to be.

lexx510 · Apr 19, 2012

Copperarabian said:
That is wonderful news. I'm so glad to hear that Rosie liked them! Oh, and if you find Rosie to be wasteful with them (since they do crumble rather easily), you can use the crumbs to make birdy muffins for her as well. I usually collect some of Guava's left overs, freeze them, and then use them to bake something for her.

I had been making her birdie breed muffins before but my vet advised me not to, at least until she is completely healthy. Her organs are luckily all ok but she has almost no feather dust(although it's slowly returning now) and her feathers are also oily(also getting better). Her droppings used to be yellowish but that has also gone back to the nice white it's supposed to be.[/QUOTE]

Oh, okay. What happened to her?

Featheredsamurai · Apr 19, 2012

lexx510 said:
Oh, okay. What happened to her?

She came from a home where they neglected her and abused her. The wife was sitting out side a pet store and when my older friend came out she asked her to take her because her husband was going to kill her. She was being kept in a budgie cage, had a broken foot, her feathers where all very yellowish in color. She was also very frightened and terrified of men.

So after my friends rescued her they unfortunately never took her to the vet, so her leg wasn't set(Her hip is healed doubt of the socket as well as her knee cap which is on the side of her leg, and her lower leg bone slid over her foot). They've had birds for a very very long time, they even used to breed some but have gotten older and seem to have forgotten a lot. They made Rosie's staple diet sun flower seeds, and also gave her daily jelly beans and some good and bad human foods including occasional sips of coffee.

I made a updated post that has some more info and photos too, she's doing so much better! It makes me so happy to see her playing with toys, and also adoring men who she used to fear

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/17993-rosie-update-plus-before-after-pics.html

QuackQuack · Apr 19, 2012

Your work with her is wonderful!

lexx510 · Apr 20, 2012

You've done an amazing job wit her, indeed! She's lucky to have you

Anyone use Top Organic Pellets?

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Pine nuts?

new bird carrier

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