WO2012118993A1 - Produits alimentaires et nutritionnels essentiels pour oiseaux sauvages - Google Patents

Produits alimentaires et nutritionnels essentiels pour oiseaux sauvages Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012118993A1
WO2012118993A1 PCT/US2012/027323 US2012027323W WO2012118993A1 WO 2012118993 A1 WO2012118993 A1 WO 2012118993A1 US 2012027323 W US2012027323 W US 2012027323W WO 2012118993 A1 WO2012118993 A1 WO 2012118993A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
weight
mixture
pellet
oil
composition
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/027323
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kimberly Ann RYGIELSKI
Gretchen Lynn WHITE
Ghislain ROMPRE
Kirk C. KLASING
Original Assignee
Oms Investments, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oms Investments, Inc. filed Critical Oms Investments, Inc.
Publication of WO2012118993A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012118993A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K10/00—Animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K10/30—Animal feeding-stuffs from material of plant origin, e.g. roots, seeds or hay; from material of fungal origin, e.g. mushrooms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K20/00—Accessory food factors for animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K20/10—Organic substances
    • A23K20/158—Fatty acids; Fats; Products containing oils or fats
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K40/00—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K40/20—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs by moulding, e.g. making cakes or briquettes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K50/00—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals
    • A23K50/70—Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for particular animals for birds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23K—FODDER
    • A23K40/00—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs
    • A23K40/25—Shaping or working-up of animal feeding-stuffs by extrusion

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a wild bird food product that combines natural feed components (e.g., seeds) and a nutritional supplement component.
  • the nutritional supplement provides the balance of the essential nutrition that may be lacking in the natural components.
  • wild bird food mixtures are available and comprise varying amounts of different food items typically consumed by birds such as seeds, nuts, fruits, and suet. See e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0127530 and European Patent Application Publication No. EP 0 766 923.
  • Typical wild bird food mixtures comprise 95% grain products by weight (e.g., corn and milo), plus black oil sunflower, and white millet.
  • WAGNER'S® Greatest Variety bird food mixture which contains black oil sunflower seed, striped sunflower, and sunflower chips
  • GRREAT CHOICE® Wild Bird Seed Mix which contains milo, white millet, and black oil sunflower seeds
  • KATYEE® Birders' Blend bird seed mix which contains sunflower, millet, crack corn, milo, peanuts, hulled sunflower, safflower, and wheat.
  • seed mixtures are generally insufficient to maintain optimal health because these blends are high in fat, and low in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Reliance on a seed mixture alone for nutrition may affect reproduction capability, may lead to obesity, a depressed immune response system, and other nutrient deficiency disorders.
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0037918 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0037918.
  • Some available bird food mixtures contain nutrition pellets in combination with seeds designed to better provide nutritional needs for caged birds.
  • Certain fortified "premium” seed blends comprise dried fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins and minerals as a means of improving the nutritional value of the product. See, e.g., Roger Tory Peterson Institute Wild Bird Seed and KATYEE® Wild Bird Ultimate Songbird Food.
  • Current pelleted diets attempt to provide complete nutrition by using a basic combination of cereal grains and vitamin/mineral supplementation.
  • ZuPreem® FruitBlend Flavor Premium Food for Medium to Large Birds, Hartz® Vita-Mix Canary/Finch Diet Bird Food Other bird food products contain a variety of seeds and fortified pellets. See, e.g., Lafeber's® Classic Nutri- Berries Parrot Food.
  • the nutritional supplement component of the feed product must be accepted by the birds.
  • Many blends exhibit decreased palatability and stimulate a low level of interest because the bird does not recognize them as food, does not find their shapes interesting, or does not include the right balance of nutrients. This can lead to "selective feeding" (e.g., picking and choosing which items to eat and which to discard) with improper nutrition resulting as birds are able to choose their preferred food items within the blend.
  • Selective feeding e.g., picking and choosing which items to eat and which to discard
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0037918 With caged birds, acceptance of the feed may be less problematic because the birds have no other choice.
  • the nutritional supplement component of the feed product must be designed so that the wild birds choose to eat the bird food product in view of their other food choices.
  • the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition for birds (e.g., essential fatty acids).
  • the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition that increases the number of desirable birds available for viewing by bird enthusiasts without regard to the type of bird feeder mechanism used to dispense the food.
  • the invention provides a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids) to desirable birds available for observation.
  • the invention provides methods for manufacturing a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition containing essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids).
  • the invention provides a method for formulating, marketing, and selling a wild bird feed mixture, pellets, suet, and pressed seed composition intrinsically more nutritious than seed-only mixtures.
  • a wild bird food mixture in one embodiment of the invention, comprises at least two of the following: black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, or red millet, and further comprises pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.
  • a wild bird food mixture in another embodiment of the invention, comprises black oil sunflower and at least one of the following white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, or red millet, and further comprises pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 30%- 50% black oil sunflower seeds by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 40, 41 , 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3% black oil sunflower seeds by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-20% white millet by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 10%, 12%, 16%, 17%, or 19% white millet by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-15% canary seed by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 7%, 9%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.3%, or 12% canary seed by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 3%-20% peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%, 8%, 10%, or 15% peanuts by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 2%-15% safflower by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%, 6%, 7%, or 8% safflower by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %-10% red millet by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %, 3%, 5%, 7%, or 8% red millet by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 0.1 %-5% calcium carbonate by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 1 %, 1.5%, 1.9%, 2%, or 3% calcium carbonate by weight. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may further comprise a preservative. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 preservatives by weight.
  • the preservative may be citric acid, BHT, rosemary extract, mixed tocopherols, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), ethoxyquin, THBQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone), or a mixture thereof.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 5%-15% pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least about 9.6%, 9.7%, 9.8%, 9.9%, or 10% pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids by weight.
  • the pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids may comprise at least two of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, or wheat flour.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 50%-75% whole corn flour by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 60%, 68%, 68.17%, 68.2%, or 68.5% whole corn flour by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise 10%-20% sunflower chips by weight. In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 13%, 14.7%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% sunflower chips by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about l%-5% soybean meal by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 3%, 3.1 %, 3.23%, 3.33%, or 3.4% soybean meal by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 4%-8% wheat flour by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 5%, 6.1 %, 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.5% wheat flour by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the pellets may comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil is borage oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, or a mixture thereof.
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein the oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.
  • the combination of essential fatty acids comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is at least about between 1 :1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).
  • the pellets may comprise canola oil.
  • the pellet may comprise at least about 1%- 10% canola oil by weight.
  • the pellet may comprise at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.69%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise a food colorant.
  • the pellets may comprise a food colorant.
  • the food colorant may be annatto, cochineal, turmeric, saffron, paprika, or FD&C Red No. 40.
  • the food colorant may be paprika, optionally a paprika emulsion.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.5%-3% paprika by weight, optionally the pellets may comprise at least 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.1 %, 1.2%, 1.5%, or 2% paprika by weight.
  • the pellets may further comprise at least one of the following: vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %— 5% vitamins by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.74%, 0.75%, or 0.76% vitamins by weight. In another embodiment, the vitamins comprise vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin Bi 2 , or mixtures thereof.
  • the pellets may a high level of surface smoothness.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-0.6% salt (e.g., NaCl) by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-2.5% limestone by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-l .5% calcium phosphate by weight.
  • salt e.g., NaCl
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.54%, 0.55%, or 0.56% salt by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.1 %-2.5% limestone by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.2%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, 0.23%, or 0.24% limestone by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.13%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% calcium phosphate by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.005%-l .0% DL-methionine by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.05%, 0.055%, 0.057%, 0.058%, or 0.059% DL-methionine by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.01 % manganese oxide by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.005%, 0.007%, 0.008%, 0.009%, or 0.01 % manganese oxide by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% zinc oxide by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.006%, or 0.007% zinc oxide by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight. In a further embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, 0.0007%, 0.0008%, or 0.0009% TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) by weight. [0023] In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least two different sizes of pellets.
  • the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 3.7-5.0 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2.7-3.5 mm.
  • the large pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 4.4 mm.
  • the small pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 3.1 mm.
  • the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 4 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2 mm.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise a ration of large and small pellets as described herein.
  • the ratio of large to small pellets may be a ratio of about 20% large pellets/80% small pellets, 30% large pellets/70% small pellets, 40% large pellets/60% small pellets, 50% large pellets/50% small pellets, or 60% large pellets/40% small pellets.
  • the different sizes of pellets comprise large spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 4 mm and small spherical pellets with an average diameter of at least about 2 mm and the ratio of large to small pellets may be a ratio of about 40% large pellets/60% small pellets
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil includes omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the pellets may comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil is borage oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, or a mixture thereof.
  • the pellets may comprise an oil including essential fatty acids, wherein said oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil.
  • the combination of essential fatty acids comprises a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).
  • the pellets may comprise canola oil.
  • the pellet may comprise at least about 1 %-10% canola oil by weight.
  • the pellet may comprise at least about 3%, 4.4%, 4.69%, 4.7%, or 4.8% canola oil by weight.
  • the invention provides a suet composition
  • a suet composition comprising tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips), safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the suet composition may comprise tallow in an amount at least about 30 -50 by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of tallow is at least about 38%, 40%, or 42% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise peanut pickouts in an amount at least about 1 %-10% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of peanut pickouts is at least about 3.5%, 3.75%, 4.0%, 4.25%, or 4.50% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise peanut meal in an amount at least about l %-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of peanut meal is at least about 9%, 10%, or 1 1 % by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of white millet is at least about 13%, 14%, or 15% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of red millet is at least about 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight.
  • the amount of sunflower chips e.g., fine sunflower chips
  • the amount of sunflower chips is at least about 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, or 9.5% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of safflower is at least about 1.5%, 2%, or 3% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 1 %-20% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 12%, 13%, or 14% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins, in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight. In a further embodiment, the mixture of vitamins comprises vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin Bi 2 .
  • the suet composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 -l .5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 0.9%, 1 %, or 1 .1 % by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.01 %-0.3% by weight.
  • the amount of salt is at least about 0.070%, 0.075%, 0.079%, 0.08%, or 0.085% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise methionine (e.g., DL- methionine) in an amount at least about 0.0005%-0.5% by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of methionine is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.
  • methionine e.g., DL- methionine
  • the suet composition may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.01 % by weight. In a further embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.0016%, 0.0017%, or 0.0018% by weight.
  • the suet composition may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.03% by weight.
  • the amount of TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, or 0.0006% by weight.
  • the invention also provides for a pressed seed composition
  • a pressed seed composition comprising peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.
  • the pressed seed composition may be in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring (torus), ball, bell, cake, or star.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise peanuts in an amount at least about 5-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of peanuts may be at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanuts by weight, optionally the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanut pickouts by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5-20% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of white millet may be at least about 13.5%, 14.1 %, or 15.5% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of red millet may be at least about 3.5%, 4.4%, or 5.5% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 1-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of safflower may be at least about 5.5%, 6.2%, or 6.5% by weight. [0045] In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise black oil sunflower in an amount at least about 10-50% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of black oil sunflower may be at least about 35%, 37%, or 40% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1-5% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate may be at least about 1 .0%, 1.7%, or 2% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of canary seed may be at least about 5%, 9%, or 12% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise seed glue in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight. In another embodiment, the amount of seed glue may be at least about 9%, 12%, or 14% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets of at least two different sizes.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-10% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 1 ⁇ 1 mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-5% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3-6 mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets comprising at least about 5.16% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3.1 mm average diameter) by weight and at least about 3.44% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 4.4 mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the invention provides a method of manufacturing a wild bird food mixture comprising combining black oil sunflower seeds, white millet, canary seed, peanut pickouts, safflower, and red millet, and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture.
  • the method of manufacturing further comprises adding calcium carbonate to the mixture.
  • the method of manufacturing further comprises adding an oil including essential fatty acids to the mixture, optionally wherein the oil including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.
  • the method of manufacturing further comprises adding an oil including omega-3 fatty acids, optionally wherein the oil is algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing further comprises adding canola oil.
  • the method of manufacturing comprises admixing at least one of the following to form pellets: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika, vitamins, salt, limestone calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the method of manufacturing comprises admixing tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL- methionine, zinc oxide, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), or an oil including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.
  • the invention provides for a method of manufacturing a pressed seed composition
  • a pressed seed composition comprising admixing peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.
  • the pressed seed composition may be made in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring (torus), ball, bell, cake, or star.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, ⁇ -carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-me
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bn, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.
  • the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the wild bird food mixture described herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the pellets described herein. In further embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the suet composition described herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides a container, item, or package comprising the pressed seed composition described herein.
  • the invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides for a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture of described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • a bird that consumes a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein may lay more eggs as compared to birds not consuming said wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition.
  • the bird may have better egg coloring.
  • the bird may have larger egg size.
  • the bird may lay firmer egg shells.
  • the bird may have more nutrition in the egg yolk.
  • the invention provides for a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • a bird that consumes wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein may lay more eggs as compared to birds not consuming said wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions.
  • the bird may have better egg pigmentation.
  • the bird may have larger egg size.
  • the bird may lay eggs with thicker shells.
  • the bird may have more nutrition in the egg yolk (e.g., higher level of retinol, zinc, and manganese in yolk).
  • the bird that consumes the wild bird food mixtures, pellets, suet compositions, or pressed seed compositions described herein may have improvement in feathering, immunity, bone health, vision, or energy production.
  • Figure 1 depicts a oneway analysis of the total percentage of consumption of pellets.
  • Figure 2 depicts a oneway analysis of the total percentage of consumption of pellets by formula.
  • Figure 3 depicts the proportion of trials per mixture tested. Sample sizes are also included.
  • Figure 4 depicts a minitab boxplot presenting the proportion of pellets remaining in the blend for the trials with remaining food as a function of the Test Formula (10%, 15%, or 20% pellets inclusion rate). Trials with complete consumption were excluded to show better the directional differences (trend in data).
  • Figure 5 depicts a minitable boxplot presenting the proportion of pellets remaining in the blend for trials with remaining food as a function of the Test Formula (10%, 15%, or 20% pellets inclusion rate). This graph shows all trials including complete consumption to show the overall variability of the data according to the different test formulas.
  • Figure 6 depicts a Minitab boxplot showing the percentage of pellets remaining per size.
  • Figure 7 depicts a Minitab boxplot showing the total pellets consumed (g) between FM Browns®, Kaytee®, ENsmall, and ENlarge.
  • Figure 8 depicts the change in the proportion of pellets consumed in FM Browns®, Kaytee®, and an exemplary wild bird food mixture ("WBF mixture”) described herein.
  • Figure 9 depicts the change in the increase percentage of proportion of pellets consumed in FM Browns®, Kaytee®, and an exemplary wild bird food mixture ("WBF mixture”) described herein.
  • the invention relates to defined bird food mixtures that provide essential nutrition (e.g., essential fatty acids) to wild birds.
  • a wild bird food mixture comprising various amounts of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, and red millet in addition to pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids comprising corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the invention also provides pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids that may comprise at least two of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, or wheat flour and further comprising at least one of the following: vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the invention further provides a suet composition comprising tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g. , fine sunflower chips), safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the invention also provides for a pressed seed composition
  • peanuts e.g., peanut pickouts
  • white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein are designed to provide essential nutrition to wild birds, in contrast with commercially available bird food mixtures which are formulated based on the diets of caged birds (which differ from wild birds).
  • Birds require at least 38 nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, amino acids) in their diets in appropriate concentrations and balance. Birds can select between different food items in order to obtain enough metabolizable energy, essential amino acids, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus to meet their requirements. See Klasing Diseases of Poultry (2008) Chapter 29: "Nutritional Diseases" pages 1125-1152. In general, birds have weak or zero ability to select between food items to obtain the correct amount of micronutrients. Thus, a wild bird food mixture should have adequate levels of micronutrients to provide essential nutrition to birds.
  • nutrients e.g., vitamins, minerals, amino acids
  • the estimated amino acid, vitamin, and mineral requirements of wild granivorous and omnivorous birds are based on data collected from captive feeding trials using predominantly white crowned sparrows, zebra finches, and dark eyed juncos. See Table 1. Comparison of these requirements to the levels of these nutrients provided in common seeds, such as corn, millet, canary seed, and sunflower seeds indicate deficiencies in vitamins A, E, thiamin, niacin, biotin, Bi 2 , methionine, lysine, zinc and calcium. See, e.g., Ullrey, et al. (1991 )
  • Lysine Grains such as corn, millet, and canary seed are deficient in lysine and may be supplemented unless animal protein is added to the diet. Lysine may be provided as L- lysine-HCl and the L isoform is used because the D-form has zero bioavailability.
  • Methionine Sunflower, which may be the primary protein source in bird foods, is deficient in methionine. Thus, methionine (e.g., DL-methionine) may be supplemented to diets that use sunflower as the primary source of protein.
  • Calcium All seeds are marginally deficient in calcium and calcium deficiency is commonly reported by wildlife veterinarians as a problem in wild birds. Natural sources of calcium are depleted in some areas of the United States and Canada due to acidic rain. Thus, calcium may be supplemented to seed-based bird foods. Calcium may be provided as limestone (CaC0 3 ) because this form is highly bioavailable, not hygroscopic, and non- oxidative.
  • Zinc may be supplemented as zinc oxide (ZnO). Chelates, complexes, and salts of zinc are more bioavailable but may cause oxidation problems with long term storage.
  • Copper may be supplemented as cuprous oxide (Cu 2 0). Cupric oxide (CuO) should not be used because it is completely unavailable to birds. Chelates, complexes, and salts of copper are more bioavailable than cuprous oxide but may not be suitable for long term storage. For example, copper may be supplemented as tribasic copper chloride (TBCC).
  • TBCC tribasic copper chloride
  • Vitamin A Seeds are deficient in vitamin A, which may be supplemented as retinyl acetate in beadlet form (e.g., Rovimix® (stabilized forms of vitamin A as beadlets coated with a gelatine-starch mixture) because it is highly bioavailable and relatively stable in the diet.
  • beadlet form e.g., Rovimix® (stabilized forms of vitamin A as beadlets coated with a gelatine-starch mixture) because it is highly bioavailable and relatively stable in the diet.
  • dl-a- Tocopheryl acetate - stabilized e.g. , Rovimix® (stabilized forms of vitamin E as beadlets coated with a gelatine-starch mixture)
  • Biotin Biotin in mature seeds has poor bioavailability and may be supplemented as d-biotin because of its good bioavailability.
  • Pantothenic acid Pantothenic acid is low in most seeds and may be supplemented as calcium d-pantothenate because of its good bioavailability.
  • Riboflavin Mature seeds are low in riboflavin and many highly bioavailable riboflavin salts are available. Riboflavin 5'-phosphate sodium shows an excellent combination of bioavailability and stability.
  • Vitamin B 12 is absent from seeds and may be supplemented in seed mixtures (e.g., cobalamin).
  • Essential Fatty Acids The bird food mixtures described herein typically comprise fatty acids.
  • Fatty acids are carboxlyic acids with hydrocarbon tails.
  • Long hydrocarbon chains are considered in the art to be hydrocarbon chains having 16 carbons or longer.
  • the long-chain hydrocarbon tail can be either saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (containing double bonds). See Simopoulos (2002) Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 56(8): 365-379.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond three carbons away from the "omega" carbon.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from linolenic acid.
  • Omega-6 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids which have in common a double bond six carbons away from the "omega” carbon.
  • Omega-6 fatty acids are derived from linoleic acid.
  • Sources of essential fatty acids include but are not limited to avocados, borage oil, Brazil nuts, canola oil (e.g., cold-pressed and unrefined), chestnut oil, chia seeds, dark leafy green vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach, purslane, mustard greens, collards), evening primrose oil, flaxseed (linseed), flaxseed meal, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, hempseeds, olive oil, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybean oil (soya oil), sunflower seeds, walnuts, wheat germ oil, and mixtures thereof.
  • avocados e.g., borage oil, Brazil nuts, canola oil (e.g., cold-pressed and unrefined)
  • chestnut oil e.g., kale, spinach, purslane, mustard greens, collards
  • evening primrose oil e.g., flaxseed (linseed), flaxseed meal, flax
  • Oils that include essential fatty acids include but are not limited to algae oil, borage oil, canola oil (e.g., cold-pressed and unrefined), chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, soybean oil (soya oil), wheat germ oil, and mixtures thereof.
  • the wild bird food mixture of the present invention comprises at least one source of essential fatty acids. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least one source of an omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid. In a further embodiment, the wild bird food mixture comprises at least one source of an omega-3 fatty acid and at least one source of an omega-6 fatty acid.
  • the wild bird food mixtures described herein may be formulated to meet or exceed nutritional requirements for maintenance and molt (See Table 1 ), and the ingredients in this mixture may be of excellent quality. As such, birds fed with a diet of the wild bird food mixtures of the present invention may have greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed-only diet. Birds fed with the wild bird food mixtures described herein lay eggs sooner and their eggs have stronger shells and higher levels of crucial nutrients.
  • the inventors surprisingly found that birds who consume the bird food mixtures described herein lay more eggs (larger clutch size or more chicks), have better egg coloring, larger egg size (including white albumen not only the yolk), better egg pigmentation, higher level of retinol, zinc, and manganese in yolk, thicker egg shells, and the last eggs produced have a shell (as opposed to shell-less eggs) than birds who consume bird food without the nutrient rich pellets described herein.
  • Colorants may be added to the pellets to make the wild bird food mixture more attractive to consumers.
  • paprika may be added to give the wild bird food mixture (including the pellets) a reddish-orange color.
  • Other food colorants include but are not limited to natural food coloring including but not limited to caramel coloring [E150] (e.g., caramel color), annatto [E160b] (e.g., a reddish-orange dye made from achiote seed), cochineal [El 20] (a red dye derived from the cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus), betanin (beet extract), turmeric [El 00] (curcuminoids), saffron [El 60a]
  • caramel coloring e.g., caramel color
  • annatto [E160b] e.g., a reddish-orange dye made from achiote seed
  • cochineal [El 20] a red dye derived from the cochineal insect
  • Food colorants also include artificial food dyes, FD&C Red No. 40 - Allura Red AC [El 29] (red shade), FD&C Red No. 3 - Erythrosine [El 27] (pink shade), FD&C Yellow No. 5 - Tartrazine, [E102] (yellow shade), and FD&C Yellow No. 6 - Sunset Yellow FCF [El 10] (orange shade).
  • FD&Cs are known as "primary colors” and may be mixed to produce other colors (“secondary colors”.
  • the wild bird food mixture (and pellets) described herein may be any shade of brown, orange, yellow, red, or reddish-orange.
  • a paprika emulsion may be added to the pellets to produce an orange-reddish color that may potentially be more attractive to consumers.
  • the wild bird food mixtures may be consumed by desirable birds. Desirable birds may be song birds. In addition, other species (e.g., doves, pheasants, quail, woodpeckers) which may not be considered "song birds" may be still considered desirable birds by those who like to feed and watch birds. Additionally, desirable birds may be identified by examining bird-watching studies, including those conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) website to first determine desirable birds. See, e.g., Igl, Lawrence D. 1996. Bird Checklists of the United States. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
  • USGS U.S. Geological Survey
  • GBBC Great Backyard Bird Count
  • Exemplary desirable birds include but are not limited to American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Tree Sparrow, Band- tailed Pigeon, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Brown Thrasher, Cactus Wren, California Quail, California Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Cassin's Finch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Chipping Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Towhee, Evening Grosbeak, Field Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, House Finch, Inca Dove, Lesser Goldfinch, Mountain Chickadee, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Northern Mockingbird, Oak Titmouse, Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Pyrrhuloxia, Red- bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Ring-necked
  • the wild bird food mixture of the present invention may comprise various amounts of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, red millet, and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids.
  • the pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids may also comprise various amounts whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (tribasic copper chloride).
  • the wild bird food mixture may further comprise a preservative.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, ⁇ -carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses
  • the wild bird food mixture described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B 12 , vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate.
  • the wild bird food mixture described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bi 2 , vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 , 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001% by weight. In one embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001 , 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01 % by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.057, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21 , 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51 , 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1 .75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11, 11.25, 11.50, 11.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21 , 21 .25, 21.50, 21.75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%- 0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50 -1.0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight.
  • 0.0001 %-0.001 % 0.001%-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%
  • 0.05%- 0.10% 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50 -1.0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may also comprise a mixture of different forms of these components.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise individual components and pellets.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 40% ⁇ 15% by weight.
  • the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 40%, 41 %, 42%, 42.10%, or 42.25% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 15%-17% by weight.
  • the amount of white millet is at least about 15%, 15.5%, 15.75%, 16%, or 17% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 9%-l 1 % by weight.
  • the amount of canary seed is at least about 9.5%, 10%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.25%, or 1 1 % by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 7%-9% by weight.
  • the amount of peanuts e.g., peanut pickouts
  • the amount of peanuts is at least about 7.5%, 7.75%, 8.0%, or 8.25% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 6%- 8% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of safflower is at least about 6.5%, 7%, or 7.5% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight.
  • the amount of pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids is at least about 9.25%, 9.50%, 9.60%, 9.70%, 9.80%, 9.90%, 10%, 15%, or 20% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 4%- 6% by weight.
  • the amount of red millet is at least about 4.5%, 5%, or 5.5% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about l %-2% by weight.
  • the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 1.50%, 1.70%, 1 .80%, 1.90%, or 2.0% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 30-50% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 10-30% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 5-20%, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight, and red millet in an amount at least about 1-10%.
  • the wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about l %-3% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 41.0%, 41.10%, 42.15%, 41 .20%, or 41.25% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 10%, 15.5%, 16%, 16.5%, or 17% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 9%, 10.1 %, 10.2%, 10.3%, or 10.5%, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 7.0%, 7.5%, 8.0%, 8.25%, 8.5%, or 9% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 6%, 6.5%, 7%, or 7.5% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 9%, 9.6%, 9.8%, 9.9%, or 10% by weight, red millet in an amount at least about 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, or 6% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount of at least about 1.50%, 1.80%, 1.9
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about 42.10% by weight, white millet in an amount at least about 16% by weight, canary seed in an amount at least about 10.20% by weight, peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 8% by weight, safflower in an amount at least about 7% by weight, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 9.80% by weight, red millet in an amount at least about 5% by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may further comprise calcium carbonate in an amount of at least about 1.90% by weight. Pellets
  • the invention also provides for pellets comprising an oil that includes essential fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or combinations thereof)-
  • essential fatty acids e.g., omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or combinations thereof
  • a mixture of two different sizes of roughly spherical pellets e.g., about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter
  • 60% small e.g. , 3.1 mm
  • 40% large e.g. , 4.4 mm
  • the reddish orange color of these pellets may be attractive to consumers.
  • the pellets may be ovate, elliptical, rosette, or spherical in shape.
  • the pellets may be spherical in shape and have an average diameter of at least about 1.0, 1.25, 1 .50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.7, 2.75, 3.0, 3.1 , 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.7, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.40, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40.
  • the pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 1-6 mm, 2-4 mm, 2.7-3.5 mm, 3.7-5.0 mm, or 3-6 mm. In a further embodiment, the pellets may have an average diameter of at least about 1 , 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm.
  • the pellets may have a high level of surface smoothness.
  • the pellets may also be colored (e.g., reddish orange color) by the inclusion of food colorants (e.g., paprika).
  • the wild bird food mixture may also comprise a mixture of pellets of different sizes.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least two, three, four, or five of the different sizes of pellets described herein.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the different sizes of pellets described herein.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise a ratio of at least two different sizes of pellets by weight.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise a ratio of small to large pellets.
  • the ratio of smalklarge pellets may be at least about 10/90, 20/80, 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, or 80/20%.
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise 60% small pellets (e.g., about 3.1 mm in average diameter) and 40% large pellets (e.g. , about 4.4 mm in average diameter).
  • the wild bird food mixture may comprise 60% small pellets (e.g., about 2 mm in average diameter) and 40% large pellets (e.g., about 4 mm in average diameter).
  • the pellets may have a high level of surface smoothness ("smooth”) or a low level of surface smoothness ("rough”).
  • smooth surface smoothness
  • rough low level of surface smoothness
  • the inventors surprising discovered that a generally spherical pellet with a high level of surface smoothness (“smooth”) resulted in a higher than expected level of acceptance by desirable wild birds than rough pellets.
  • the texture of the pellet may be important for selection and consumption by birds.
  • the pellets may comprise any of the aforementioned components and in any of the aforementioned amounts. Further, the pellets of the present invention may comprise various amounts of whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, a preservative, paprika, vitamins (e.g., a vitamin mixture), salt (e.g., NaCl), limestone, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), white millet, canary seed, peanuts, safflower, red millet, or calcium carbonate.
  • vitamins e.g., a vitamin mixture
  • salt e.g., NaCl
  • limestone calcium phosphate
  • DL-methionine e.g., manganese oxide
  • zinc oxide e.g., TBCC (tribasic copper chloride)
  • white millet canary seed
  • peanuts safflower
  • red millet or calcium carbonate.
  • the pellets may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, ⁇ -carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses, dried papaya,
  • the pellets described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B i 2 , vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate.
  • the pellets described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin !1 ⁇ 2, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine,
  • the pellets may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the pellets may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the pellets may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 , 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.45, 6.50
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11 , 1 1.25, 1 1.50, 1 1.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21, 21.25, 21.50, 21.75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.11 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l%-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001%-0.005% 0.01%-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l%-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the pellets may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise whole corn flour in an amount at least about 68%-69% by weight.
  • the amount of whole corn flour is at least about 68.10%, 68.17%, 68.20%, 68.25%, or 68.50% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise sunflower chips in an amount at least about 14%— 15% by weight.
  • the amount of sunflower chips is at least about 14.5%, 14.6%, 14.8%, 14.9%, or 15% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise soybean meal in an amount at least about 3%-4% by weight.
  • the amount of soybean meal is at least about 3.10%, 3.22%, 3.23%, 3.24%, or 3.25% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise wheat flour in an amount at least about 6%-7% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of wheat flour is at least about 6.2%, 6.4%, or 6.6% by weight. [0128]
  • the pellets may comprise canola oil in an amount at least about 4%-5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of canola oil is at least about 4.50%, 4.60%, 4.68%, 4.69%, or 4.70% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • the combination may be a ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is from at least about 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).
  • the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids is from at least about 1 : 1 , 2: 1 , 3: 1 , 4: 1 , 5: 1 , 6: 1 , 7: 1 , 8: 1 , 9: 1 , or 10: 1.
  • the pellets may comprise paprika in an amount at least about 0.9%-2% by weight.
  • the amount of paprika is at least about 0.75%, 0.9%, 1 .0%, 1 .1 %, or 1.2% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B 12 ), in an amount at least about 0.70%-0.90% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.72%, 0.74%, or 0.75% by weight.
  • vitamins including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B 12 ), in an amount at least about 0.70%-0.90% by weight.
  • the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.72%, 0.74%, or 0.75% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.5%-0.6% by weight.
  • the amount of salt is at least about 0.50%, 0.51 %, 0.52%, 0.54%, or 0.56% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise limestone in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 2.5 % by weight.
  • the amount of limestone is at least about 0.20%, 0.21 %, 0.22%, or 0.23% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise calcium phosphate in an amount at least about 0.1 %-1 .5% by weight.
  • the amount of calcium phosphate is at least about 0.12%, 0.15%, 0.17%, 0.18%, or 0.19% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise methionine (e.g., DL-methionine) in an amount at least about 0.005%-l .0% by weight.
  • methionine e.g., DL-methionine
  • the amount of methionine is at least about 0.050%, 0.052%, 0.054%, 0.057%, or 0.058% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise manganese oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %- 0.1 % by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of manganese oxide is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.004%, 0.005%, or 0.006% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.05% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) is at least about 0.0006%, 0.0007%, or 0.0008% by weight.
  • the pellets may comprise paprika (e.g., a paprika emulsion) in an amount at least about 0.5%-2% by weight.
  • the amount of paprika is at least about 0.75%, 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.1 %, or 1.2% by weight.
  • the invention also provides for a formulation of a suet form in which the nutrients are dispersed within a solid phase of an animal fat (e.g., tallow, lard) or vegetable shortening.
  • an animal fat e.g., tallow, lard
  • the suet may comprise any of the aforementioned components and in any of the aforementioned amounts. Further, the suet of the present invention may comprise tallow and various amounts of at least one of the following peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips), a preservative, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins (e.g., a mixture of vitamins), calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride). See Table 2.
  • the suet may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, ⁇ -carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g., in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g., cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin), cherry flavor, cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), choline chloride, cobalt carbonate, corn (e.g., corn meal, corn gluten meal), copper oxide, copper sulfate, corn (e.g., cracked corn and cornmeal), cranberries, dextrose, DL-methionine, dried beet pulp, dried cane molasses,
  • the suet described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate.
  • the suet described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine,
  • the suet may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a preferred embodiment, the suet may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another preferred embodiment, the suet may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the wild bird food mixture may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.
  • the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001, 0.0017, 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01 % by weight.
  • the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.079, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight.
  • the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.1 1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21 , 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1 .0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30
  • the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 11, 1 1.25, 11.50, 1 1.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1, 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68.14, 68.15, 68.16,
  • the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001 %-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%-0.10%, 0.10%- 0.50%, 0.50%-1.0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight. In another embodiment, the suet may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%- 30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise tallow in an amount at least about 30%-50% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of tallow is at least about 38%, 40%, or 42% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise peanut pickouts in an amount at least about 1 %-10% by weight.
  • the amount of peanut pickouts is at least about 3.5%, 3.75%, 4.0%, 4.25%, or 4.50% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise peanut meal in an amount at least about 1 %-20% by weight.
  • the amount of peanut meal is at least about 9%, 10%, or 1 1 % by weight.
  • the suet may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5%-20% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of white millet is at least about 13%, 14%, or 15% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of red millet is at least about 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise sunflower chips (e.g., fine sunflower chips) in an amount at least about 1 %-15% by weight.
  • the amount of sunflower chips e.g., fine sunflower chips
  • the amount of sunflower chips is at least about 6.5%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, or 9.5% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 0.1 %— 5% by weight.
  • the amount of safflower is at least about 1.5%, 2%, or 3% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise black oil sunflower seeds in an amount at least about l %-20% by weight.
  • the amount of black oil sunflower seeds is at least about 12%, 13%, or 14% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise vitamins, including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B 12 ), in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight.
  • vitamins including a mixture of vitamins (e.g., a mixture of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, biotin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin B 12 ), in an amount at least about 0.1 %-5% by weight.
  • the amount of vitamins is at least about 0.10%, 0.1 1 %, or 0.12% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 %-l .5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of calcium carbonate is at least about 0.9%, 1 %, or 1 .1 % by weight.
  • the suet may comprise salt (e.g., NaCl) in an amount at least about 0.01 %-0.3% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of salt is at least about 0.075%, 0.079%, or 0.08% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise methionine (e.g., DL- methionine) in an amount at least about 0.0005%-0.5% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of methionine is at least about 0.007%, 0.008%, or 0.009% by weight.
  • methionine e.g., DL- methionine
  • the suet may comprise zinc oxide in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.025% by weight. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of zinc oxide is at least about 0.0016%, 0.0017%, or 0.0018% by weight.
  • the suet may comprise TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in an amount at least about
  • the amount of TBCC (Tribasic
  • Copper Chloride is at least about 0.0004%, 0.0005%, or 0.0006% by weight.
  • the suet composition may be at least about 100 125, 150, 175, 200 225, 250, 275,
  • the suet composition may be 304, 311, 340, or 375 g in weight (e.g., 10.75, 11, 12, or 13.25 ounces).
  • Suet may attract desirable birds including but not limited to woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds, mockingbirds, warblers, kinglets, titmice, nuthatches, jays, robins, and wrens.
  • the invention also provides for a pressed seed composition
  • peanuts e.g., peanut pickouts
  • white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate canary seed, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise white millet, black oil sunflower, safflower, peanuts, raisins, striped sunflower, sunflower chips, red millet, seed glue, and pellets comprising an oil including essentially fatty acids.
  • the seed ratios may be substantially similar to those included in the wild bird food mixture described herein with the amounts adjusted to comprise at least about 88% by weight of the final composition as the glue is the remaining at least about 12% by weight.
  • the pressed seed glue may comprise a water based adhesive system containing collagen, technical gelatin, glycerin and corn syrup.
  • the pressed seed glue may comprise cup flour, water, corn syrup, and plain gelatin or water, corn syrup, white vinegar, and cornstarch.
  • the pressed seed composition may be in the shape of a cake, disk, cylinder, ring
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts) in an amount at least about 5-10% by weight.
  • the amount of peanuts e.g., peanut pickouts
  • optionally the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 6%, 7%, or 8% peanut pickouts by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise white millet in an amount at least about 5-20% by weight.
  • the amount of white millet may be at least about 13.5%, 14.1 %, or 15.5% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise red millet in an amount at least about 1- 10% by weight.
  • the amount of red millet may be at least about 3.5%, 4.4%, or 5.5% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise safflower in an amount at least about 1 - 10% by weight.
  • the amount of safflower may be at least about 5.5%, 6.2%, or 6.5% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise black oil sunflower in an amount at least about 10-50% by weight.
  • the amount of black oil sunflower may be at least about 35%, 37%, or 40% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise calcium carbonate in an amount at least about 0.1 -5% by weight.
  • the amount of calcium carbonate may be at least about 1 .0%, 1.7%, or 2% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise canary seed in an amount at least about 1-15% by weight.
  • the amount of canary seed may be at least about 5%, 9%, or 12% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise seed glue in an amount at least about 1- 15% by weight.
  • the amount of seed glue may be at least about 9%, 12%, or 14% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids in an amount at least about 5-15% by weight.
  • the amount of pellets may be at least about 7.5%, 8.6%, 9.5%, or 10% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets of at least two different sizes.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise a ratio of two different sizes of pellets, for example 60% small pellets to 40% large pellets.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-10% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about ⁇ - mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least about 1-5% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3-6 mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise a mixture of pellets comprising at least about 5.16% small pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 3.1 mm average diameter) by weight and at least about 3.44% large pellets (e.g., pellets of at least about 4.4 mm average diameter) by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise various amounts of apples (dried), alfalfa meal, almonds, artificial color, ⁇ -carotene, biotin, black oil sunflower seeds, blueberries, brown rice, calcium (e.g. , in the form of calcium carbonate, calcium iodate, calcium lodate, calcium pantothenate, calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate), canary grass seed, canola seed, cantaloupe seed, canthaxanthin, cashews, carotenoids (e.g.
  • the pressed seed composition described herein may further comprise various amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin , biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bn, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate.
  • the pressed seed composition described herein may provide effective amounts of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B12, vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a bird.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least two of the components described herein. In a particular embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least three, four, or five of the components described herein. In another particular embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise any combination of at least six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen of the components described herein. In another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may consist of any of the foregoing components. In yet another embodiment, the pressed seed composition may consist essentially of any of the foregoing components.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0005, 0.0006, 0.0007, 0.0008, 0.0009, or 0.001 % by weight. In one embodiment, the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.001 , 0.002, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, or 0.01% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.01 , 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.057, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, or 0.1 % by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.1 , 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.51 , 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.6, 0.7, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 1.95, 2.0, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0, 3.10, 3.12, 3.15, 3.20, 3.21 , 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.0, 4.25, 4.50, 4.60, 4.65, 4.66, 4.67, 4.68, 4.69, 4.70, 4.71 , 4.72, 4.75, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50, 5.75, 6.0, 6.25, 6.30, 6.40, 6.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10, 10.25, 10.50, 10.75, 1 1 , 1 1.25, 1 1.50, 11.75, 12, 12.25, 12.50, 12.75, 13, 13.25, 13.50, 13.75, 14, 14.25, 14.50, 14.75, 14.80, 14.85, 15, 15.25, 15.50, 15.75, 16, 16.25, 16.50, 16.75, 17, 17.25, 17.50, 17.75, 18, 18.25, 18.50, 18.75, 19, 19.25, 19.50, 19.75, or 20% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 20, 20.25, 20.50, 20.75, 21 , 21.25, 21.50, 21 .75, 22, 22.25, 22.50, 22.75, 23, 23.25, 23.50, 23.75, 24, 24.25, 24.50, 24.75, 25, 25.25, 25.50, 25.75, 26, 26.25, 26.50, 26.75, 27, 27.25, 27.50, 27.75, 28, 28.25, 28.50, 28.75, 29, 29.25, 29.50, 29.75, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 42.1 , 42.2, 42.3, 42.4, 42.5, 43, 44, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 66, 67, 67.8, 67,9, 68, 68.1 , 68.1 1 , 68.12, 68.13, 68
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 0.0001 %-0.001 %, 0.001 %-0.005% 0.01 %-0.05%, 0.05%- 0.10%, 0.10%-0.50%, 0.50%-l .0%, l %-5%, or 5%-10% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may comprise at least one of the components described herein in an amount at least about 10%-30%, 15%-30%, 20%-30%, 25%-30%, 40%-50%, or 60%-70% by weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may be at least about 100 125, 150, 175, 200 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, or 1 ,000 g in weight.
  • the pressed seed composition may be 304, 31 1 , 340, or 375 g in weight (e.g., 10.75, 1 1 , 12, or 13.25 ounces).
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described of the invention may be produced by a method comprising combining the components described herein in the amounts set forth herein.
  • the invention also provides for a method of feeding birds comprising supplying the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described of the invention.
  • the invention also provides for methods of attracting desirable birds, including but not limited to songbirds, comprising placing the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described as described herein at a location where said desirable birds can find and consume said bird food mixture.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described herein may be manufactured according to methods known in the art.
  • the pellets described herein may be manufactured by admixing the ingredients with flour (except paprika, canola oil, and preservatives) then blended and milled to max particle size of 0.01 1 ⁇ . This is followed by an extrusion process with pre-conditioner and extruder. The canola oil with preservative and paprika colorant may then be added at the extruder. The die sizes are about 2 mm and 4 mm holes. This is followed by drying and cooling Finally, two sizes of pellets may be mixed together in ratio of 60% small (about 2 mm) and 40% large (about 4 mm).
  • the invention provides a method for marketing a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described comprising combining components to manufacture a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described and offering said product for sale.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition described of the invention may be placed in a container, item, bag, or package.
  • the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, and pressed seed composition described may be packaged for commercial availability.
  • the invention provides a method for providing the nutritional requirements of phosphorus, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, biotin, choline, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin Bi 2 , vitamin C, xanthophil, arginine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, methionine+cysteine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalaine+tyrosine, linoleate, and linolenate to a wild bird comprising making a wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet, or pressed seed composition described herein available to a bird.
  • the invention provides a method of manufacturing a wild bird food mixture comprising combining seeds and pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture.
  • seeds selected from the group consisting of black oil sunflower, white millet, canary seed, peanut pickouts, safflower, and red millet may be combined with pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids to form a wild bird food mixture, oil includes omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, or a combination thereof.
  • This oil may include omega-3 fatty acids or a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.
  • the combination may comprise a ratio of omega-6 fatty
  • omega-6 fatty acids omega-3 fatty acids.
  • the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids:omega-3 fatty acids may at least about between 1 : 1 (50%:50%) to 10: 1 (90%: 10%).
  • the oil including essential fatty acids may be algae oil, canola oil, chestnut oil, chia oil, fish oil, flaxseed oil, or hempseed oil. In one embodiment, the oil may be canola oil. Additionally, calcium carbonate may be added.
  • the pellet may be manufactured by combining at least one of the following: whole corn flour, sunflower chips, soybean meal, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika, vitamins, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, preservative, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) to form a pellet.
  • the suet composition may be manufactured by admixing tallow and at least one of the following: peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins, calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride), to form a suet composition.
  • the pressed seed composition may be manufactured by admixing black oil sunflower, pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids, and at least one of the following peanuts, white millet, red millet, safflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, or seed glue to form a pressed seed mixture.
  • the invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds. Further, a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds. In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds. The invention provides a method for attracting desirable birds comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the suet described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention further provides a method for improving the health of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the wild bird food mixture described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pellets described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the suet composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the invention provides a method for improving the diet of a bird comprising placing the pressed seed composition described herein at a location where it is available to birds.
  • the bird may lay more eggs, have better egg coloring, have larger egg size, have firmer egg shells, or produce more nutrition in the egg yolk.
  • Pellets were made by combining whole corn flour, sunflower chips, wheat flour, canola oil, paprika emulsion, vitamin mixture, salt, limestone, calcium phosphate, DL- methionine, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, and TBCC (Tribasic Copper Chloride) in the amounts shown in Table 3.
  • the ingredients were blended and milled to max particle size of at least about 0.011 microns.
  • the ingredients were subjected to an extrusion process with pre-conditioner and extruder, where the ingredients are ground and then are thoroughly mixed.
  • the canola oil with preservative and paprika colorant were added at the extruder. The mixture was then dried and cooled.
  • the pellets were mixed together with the other components to produce a mixture of pellets at a ratio of about 60% small pellets and about 40% large pellets.
  • Three exemplary wild bird food mixture blends are presented in Table 5. The final wild bird food mixture may be bagged and labelled for sale.
  • the suet may be manufactured by methods known in the art by adding various amounts of at least one of the following peanut pickouts, peanut meal, white millet, red millet, sunflower chips, canola oil, a preservative, safflower, black oil sunflower, vitamins (e.g., a vitamin mixture), calcium carbonate, salt, DL-methionine, zinc oxide, or TBCC (tribasic copper chloride) to tallow.
  • the final suet may be bagged and labeled for sale.
  • the pressed seed composition may be manufactured by methods known in the art by admixing various amounts of peanuts (e.g., peanut pickouts), white millet, red millet, safflower, black oil sunflower, calcium carbonate, canary seed, seed glue, and pellets. See Table 6.
  • peanuts e.g., peanut pickouts
  • white millet e.g., red millet
  • safflower e.g., black oil sunflower
  • calcium carbonate e.g., canary seed
  • seed glue e.g., afflower
  • pellets e.g., canary seed
  • the pressed seed composition may be placed in a mould to form a shape (e.g., bell, cake, star, cylinder).
  • the final pressed seed composition may be bagged and labelled for sale.
  • TABLE 3 Pellet Com ositions
  • Vitamin A retinyl acetate in beadlet e.g., Rovimix®
  • Vitamin E dl-a-Tocopheryl acetate - stabilized e.g., Rovimix® E 5 5000 IU/kg
  • Vitamin Bu Cobalamin B 0.002 2 mg/kg
  • the wild bird food mixtures described herein may be tested for their ability to attract desirable birds as compared to other commercially available bird food mixtures (e.g. , KAYTEE® Basic Wild Bird Food comprising grain products, black oil sunflowers, calcium carbonte, vitamin A, and vitamin D; or ordinary wild bird food comprising 95% grain
  • Total pellets comprise a mixture of 60% small and 40% large pellets- at least about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter, respectively. Composition described in Table 3.
  • Small pellets may be at least about 3.1 mm in average diameter.
  • Large pellets may be at least about 4.4 mm in average diameter.
  • Total pellets comprise a mixture of 60% small and 40% large pellets- at least about 3.1 mm and 4.4 mm in average diameter, respectively. Composition described in Table 3.
  • Small pellets may be at least about 3.1 mm in average diameter.
  • a station may be constructed for attracting, feeding, and observing birds outdoors using two different bird food mixtures at a time to compare their ability to attract different birds.
  • Each Station may be divided into a "Home A" and a "Home B", separated by 20 feet.
  • Two feeders e.g., Woodlink Hopper Feeder
  • the feeders may be located at Home A and may be filled with one bird food mixture and an identical two feeders may be located at Home B and may be filled with a different bird food mixture.
  • the feeders may be placed in a line that the observer could face during data collection periods. An effort may be made to place the feeders equal distances from cover (i.e., trees, shrubs, and other obstructions.) Feeders may be placed at an angle so that one could observe birds feeding on both sides of the feeder.
  • the feeders may be filled with black oil sunflower for a period of at least five days before initiation of Surveys to attract birds to the Station. On each day that Surveys are conducted, the feeders may be filled at least 30 minutes prior to the observation period with enough food to completely fill the feeder. Any bird food mixture that may be leftover from the previous day may be discarded before filling feeders with fresh bird food mixture.
  • feeders may be filled according to a rotation pattern where each of the four bird food mixtures may be tested against each other [e.g., bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (B), bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (C), bird food mixture (A) may be compared to bird food mixture (D)].
  • the type of food placed in each feeder may be changed up to six times during the course of the experiment.
  • a 2-day interim period may be scheduled between each rotation. During this 2-day interim period, feeders may be filled once each day using the wild bird food mixtures, but no information may be collected.
  • Bird Count Method (frequency, timing, details)— Surveys may be conducted between the times of 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset with an effort to schedule survey times that coincide with periods of frequent bird feeding. Participants also may conduct the surveys at the same time during the day for each day of the Survey with a one hour grace period. Specific weather conditions during each field watch may be noted by the study participants. On occasion, surveys may be carried out during periods of light precipitation, however, they may be postponed during times of heavy precipitation during which birds do not frequent feeders.
  • Blocks may be separated by a period of two days during which time no Surveys may be taken. During this 2-day interim period, feeders may be filled once each day with the food blends specified for the next scheduled Block according to a food rotation schedule.
  • Birds may be only counted when they are on the feeder or perched on top of the feeder. Birds perched on shepherd's hangers or on the ground may be not counted.
  • the observer may allow for a short period of time before the Survey began, approximately 5 minutes, to allow the birds to resume normal feeding behavior before beginning with data collection. However, even if there are no birds on the feeders after approximately 5 minutes the Survey may be conducted.
  • Feeders may be kept at least 3 ⁇ 4 full at the beginning of the Survey; if they may be less than 3 ⁇ 4 full, the feeders may be filled and the observer waited for at least 30 minutes to begin a Survey.
  • Disturbances such as presence of a predator
  • Disturbances that cause birds to significantly alter their feeding behavior
  • the wild bird food mixtures described herein may be tested for selection by birds as compared to other commercially available bird food mixtures (e.g. , KAYTEE® Basic Wild Bird Food comprising grain products, black oil sunflowers, calcium carbonte, vitamin A, and vitamin D; or ordinary wild bird food comprising 95% grain products by weight (corn and milo), black oil sunflowers, and white millet.)
  • KAYTEE® Basic Wild Bird Food comprising grain products, black oil sunflowers, calcium carbonte, vitamin A, and vitamin D; or ordinary wild bird food comprising 95% grain products by weight (corn and milo), black oil sunflowers, and white millet.
  • Sets of studies may be conducted, the lasting 1-6 weeks. These may be "blind studies" where the observers do not know the name brand or composition of the wild bird food mixtures being tested.
  • Food selection experiments may be day-long feeding trials in the home cages of birds in an environmental chamber (e.g., constant temperature and a 12 hour light/dark cycle).
  • the day-long feed trial may be repeated at least three times.
  • Birds may be exposed to different bird food mixtures prior to feeding trials.
  • a single trial may involve pairwise presentation of two food products, each offered in a separate feeder on opposite ends of the same side of the cage, equidistance from a water source and a perch.
  • a preweighed quantity of food in excess of daily requirements may be provided in each feeder at the onset of the light period.
  • Feeder positions may be exchange every 2 hours. Replications presented food type in opposite positions from the previous day. Unconsumed food may be collected at the end of the light period and reweighed.
  • Selection was determined from the amount (mass) of a certain food type consumed (i.e. , the greatest amount reflected positive selection by the birds). [Protocol adapted from Keating, et al. ( 1992) The Auk 109(4): 863-868.] The test mixture which was consumed at a higher rate by the bird indicates a selection by the bird.
  • control wild bird food mixtures e.g. , black oil sunflower seeds or WAGNER'S® Greatest Variety bird food mixture which comprises black oil sunflower seed, striped sunflower, and sunflower chips
  • GRREAT CHOICE® Wild Bird Seed Mix which comprises milo, white millet, and black oil sunflower seeds
  • KATYEE® Birders' Blend bird seed mix which comprises sunflower, millet, crack corn, milo, peanuts, hulled sunflower, safflower, and wheat).
  • Station Set-up and Feeder Type Each Home (site) may consist of four feeders placed 10 feet apart, each containing one of the four different test articles (Test Article #1 , 2, 3, and 4).
  • Feeder 1 may start with Test Article #1 , Feeder 2 with Article #2, Feeder 3 with Article #3, and Feeder 4 with Article #4.
  • the Feeders may be -10 feet apart. This may constitute a single run. After each run, the Test Articles may be moved 1 feeder to the right, until the completion of 4 runs.
  • Feeders may be filled with black oil sunflower for 3 days prior to the start of the study. Feeder may be filled for one run with 1 lb (0.45 kg). At the end of each run, the food may be brought in to be separated into the different components and then weighed. One run may last as long as it takes for the food to be consumed (e.g., a maximum 4 days). Between each run, study participants may use one interim-day to allow birds to get used to the new (or up-coming) Test Article. Therefore, there each study may consist of 4 runs so each Test Articles may be tested at all 4 locations once (Feeders 1, 2, 3, and 4). See Table 7.
  • Platform Feeds may be used for all test articles.
  • Woodlink® Recycled Plastic Platform Feeder or Rubicon® Platform feeder may be used. Any given trial may be followed up with a trial to ensure that the final formula may perform as well in other types of feeders.
  • Photographs A picture of the feeder/food may be taken at the start of each run. At the end of each day (dusk) at least one photo of each feeder may be taken. This photo may provide a close-up of the food remaining in the feeder. The purpose of these photos is to determine if any components are being left behind in large quantities or are having difficulties being eaten in a particular feeder. At least one photo a day per feeder may be sufficient.
  • Study Location The study may be conducted in any suitable area frequented by birds.
  • Species of Interest Any species that typically visits a feeder.
  • Study Duration The study may last between 3 and 4 weeks (depending on the weather and the data). Observations
  • Surveys may be conducted between the times of 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset (e.g., between 9 and 1 1 AM). However, an effort may be made to pick survey times that coincide with periods of frequent bird feeding. Surveys may be conducted at the same time during the day for each day of the Survey. A one hour grace period may be permitted. Surveys may be carried out during periods of light precipitation, however they may be postponed during times of heavy precipitation during which birds do not frequent feeders.
  • a Survey may consist of one continuous count lasting 30 minutes. All bird species that visit the feeders may be counted, with the following exception: birds are only counted when they are on the feeder or perched on top of the feeder. Birds perched on shepherd's hangers or on the ground should not counted.
  • the observer After arriving at the Station, the observer should allow a short period of time before the Survey begins, approximately 5 minutes, to allow the birds to resume normal feeding behavior before beginning with data collection. However, even if there are no birds on the feeders after approximately 5 minutes the Survey should proceed.
  • the experimental diets were either a seed blend (Diet D) or the same seed blend fortified with nutrient rich pellets (Diet A). See Table 5, Formula I for composition of Diet A (including -10% pellets by weight). Both diets were supplied by Scotts® and stored at 4°C during the duration of the experiment. Experimental diets were coarsely ground prior to feeding in order to facilitate consumption by quail. Fresh feed was provided weekly. Experimental diets were coarsely ground prior to feeding in order to facilitate consumption by quail. Fresh feed was provided weekly.
  • Evaluation of health status Any birds whose weight changed by more than 15% was removed from the trial. At the end of the experiment, the general health of each bird, and particularly signs of nutritional deficiencies, was clinically evaluated by a board certified avian veterinarian. A blood sample (500 ⁇ ) was taken from the vena cava, andblood hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin levels were measured using WHO Guidelines on Standard Operating Procedures for Clinical Chemistry.
  • Heterophils and smaller numbers of macrophages expanded the lamina intestinal and formed lakes within the koilin layer, where the koilin was disrupted and fragmented.
  • On the mucosal surface there was granular eosinophilic material deposition intermixed with abundant mucoid material and inflammatory cells and sloughed epithelia. These signs may indicate a vitamin A deficiency but other etiologies, including viral infection, are possible.
  • Body weight and feed intake Females weighed significantly more than males, but weight change was not affected by the dietary treatment. However, it should be noted that body weight loss was sufficiently severe in two of the birds on the D treatment that they were removed from the study and did not contribute to the data in Table 9.
  • a diet including the nutrient rich pellets described herein was superior to diet comprising only seeds (Diet D) in females.
  • Diet A was superior to diet comprising only seeds (Diet D) in females.
  • wild birds who consumed the wild bird food mixtures including pellets described herein may show greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed only diet. They may also lay eggs sooner and their eggs may have higher levels of crucial nutrients. The experiment was terminated too early to determine conclusively for male birds.
  • Birds may be housed in wire mesh cages with food and water available for ad libitum consumption. Butcher paper may be placed below the wire cages for collecting feces and spilled food. Paper and waterers may be cleaned weekly. Birds may be observed by an avian technician daily for signs of health (e.g., food consumption, fecal color and consistency, feather ruffling, respiratory snicks, state of activity). A veterinarian may observe birds for signs of health bi-weekly and physically examine each bird monthly.
  • signs of health e.g., food consumption, fecal color and consistency, feather ruffling, respiratory snicks, state of activity.
  • Evaluation of molt The number of days of days between initiation and completion of molt, rate of growth of primary feathers (mm/day), quality of feathers (e.g. , presence of stress bars, pigmentation quality, rachis integrity), and tensile strength (Tsiagbe et al., 1987) may be determined.
  • Evaluation of immunity Each bird may be injected with 0.1 ml of a 10% suspension of sheep red blood cells at 14 (primary) and 4 (booster) days before the last day of the experiment. Blood serum may be tested for IgM and IgY titers against sheep red blood cells by hemaglutination (Matson and Klasing, 2005). [0246] Evaluation of health status: Individual body weights may be recorded weekly during the duration of the 6 month feeding trial. Any bird whose weight changes out of the clinically normal range may be removed from the trial.
  • a blood sample (25 ⁇ ) may be taken from the brachial vein. Blood hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum uric acid, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, calcium, phosphate, and bile acids, and serum albumin levels may be measured.
  • Diet analysis Duplicate samples of the test diet and the seed mix may be taken at the beginning and end of the experiment. Diets may be analyzed for protein, amino acid, lipid, fiber, vitamins, trace minerals, Ca, and P levels.
  • Zebra finches fed a diet of the wild bird food mixture, pellets, suet composition, or pressed seed composition may show greater weight, feather quality, immune response, hematocrits and hemoglobin than birds fed a seed only diet.
  • the study may take place at forested sites. Prior to the study, each of the study sites may be inspected to confirm that they have no bird-feeding activity. These study sites may then be randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (A) no bird-feeding activity, (B) bird- feeding activity using a bird seed blend, and (C) bird-feeding activity using the wild bird food mixture described herein.
  • the study may ( 1 ) conduct counts at each forested site to examine community composition and abundance of individual species; (2) monitor birds at feeders to examine return rates; (3) use bird banding to monitor the health of individual birds including stress tolerance, immunological competence, and hormone levels, and (4) compare nutrient levels in a commercially available bird seed blend compared to the wild bird food mixture described herein.
  • Factors that may be used to evaluate the nutritional effect of the wild bird food mixture described herein includes but is not limited to effects on the bird's immune system, molt, plumage (feather quality, e.g., (stress bars, hue, saturation, brightness, rachis and crimp integrity), vision, bill coloration, survival, and overall health of the birds.
  • Formula I is a wild bird food mixture
  • Formula 0-15 is a wild bird food mixture comprising a source of omega 3 fatty acids (e.g., an oil including essential fatty acids, e.g., canola oil).
  • Station Set-up Two Homes were set-up: an A and B. Each Home consisted of two feeders placed 10 feet apart that contain the same test article. Home A started with test article #1 and Home B started with test article #2. The Homes were about 10 feet apart. A field sensor camera was placed within 18 to 24 inches of each feeder to clearly capture any birds that land on the feeder.
  • Type of Feeders A platform feeder was used (e.g., Rubicon Platform (model LPHF 100)).
  • Type of Field Sensor Camera A field sensor camera was used (e.g., Bushnell Digital Birding Camera 4.0 MP).
  • Feeder was filled for the trial with -0.07 kg of food (1/2 may be BOS and 1 ⁇ 2 may be the pellets). A weight of each food component was recorded. In addition a picture of the feeder/food was taken at the start of each run and the end of each day.
  • a run consisted of 5 total days in which new food was put out everyday as detailed above. At the end of each day, the food was brought in to be separated into the different components and then weighed.
  • Species of Interest Any species that typically visits a feeder.
  • Study Duration The study may last between 2 and 4 weeks.
  • the feeders may NOT be placed outside if there is supposed to be any precipitation as it may impact the weight of the materials.
  • Picture Data Sum of bird count by species seen with manufactured form over duration of trial by formula. The sum of pictures with birds in them by formula were compiled and analyzed.
  • Success Criteria The percentage pellets consumed versus the percentage consumed of the blend (e.g., all remaining seeds in the blend together) were examined. The object was to identify a formula which was selected by wild birds and where the pellets were consumed at a high enough level to minimize waste (e.g., pellets remaining after the test period). The preferred formula was selected on the basis of which one had the higher percentage consumed of pellets or the one that has the largest inclusion rate meets the success criteria.
  • Formulas Tested Three inclusion rates ( 10%, 15%, or 20%) of the pellets in the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formulas A, B, and C described in Table 10) were tested at 10 locations in the United States. The pellets were formulated to include essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins as well as an oil including essential fatty acids (i.e., canola oil which include omega-3 fatty acids). Formula A comprises 10% pellets (Formula 0-15) performed statistically better than any other formulas tested and was consumed by several species of birds.
  • Pellet size Originally, in each of the Test Blends, 60% of the pellets were “large” ones while 40% were “small ones”. The inventors surprising discovered that using a ratio of at least two different sizes of such spherical pellets (e.g., at least one larger pellet and one smaller pellet) resulted in a higher acceptance rate from a broader range of desirable birds (e.g., 60% small pellets to 40% large pellets). See Figure 6.
  • Blends Four articles were tested in this study: (A) Scotts'® Multi-Bird Blend (comprising black oil sunflower, white millet, safflower, peanuts, sunflower chips, and striped sunflower); (B) FM Browns' Flourish High Energy Blend® (comprising white proso millet, black oil and stripe sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, canola seed, mixed feed nuts, almond slices, flax seed, shelled peanuts, and NYJER® seeds); (C) Kaytee® Ultimate Songbird Blend (comprising black oil sunflower, millet, finch millet, safflower, raisins, and nuts); and (D) Formula B wild bird food mixture with -15% pellets (Formula 0-15). See Tables 14 and 16-20. The study was conducted using the protocol as substantially described in Example 4.
  • Percent of change in the proportion of pellets within the blend As the birds may consume more of the pellets comprising an oil including essential fatty acids described herein because there are more in the blend (15% vs. 1 or 3%), the percent of change in the proportion of the pellets within the blend from the beginning to the end of each run was examined. During a run, the proportion of the pellets in the blend may have changed (increase or decrease), according to the consumption of both the pellets and the seeds. An increase in the proportion of the pellets would signify that the birds consumed more of the seeds proportionally then the pellets. As indicated in FIG 8, all blends increased their pellet proportions after the four runs. By examining the ratio of increase in this proportion, which blend performed better ⁇ e.g., the one with average lower percent of change in their pellets proportion within the blend or closer to its initial proportion) could be determined.
  • FIG 9 shows that FM Browns® had an average increase of 200% in the proportion of the pellets in the blend after the 4 runs.
  • Kaytee® had an average of 280% increase in the proportion of pellets while the wild bird food mixture described herein (Formula B) had the lowest proportional increase of 167%.
  • Run 2 can be considered as an outlier; without Run 2, the average see on Fig. 9 would be 195%, 283% and 129% for FM Browns®, Kaytee® and the wild bird food mixture described herein. In this case, the wild bird food mixture performed even better.
  • the wild bird food mixture described herein performed 41 % better than Kaytee® based on the average proportions shown on Fig. 9; and 17% better than FM Browns®.

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  • Coloring Foods And Improving Nutritive Qualities (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à des mélanges alimentaires pour oiseaux, à des pastilles, à des compositions de suif et à des compositions de graines pressées qui sont intrinsèquement plus nutritifs (par exemple, ils comprennent des acides gras essentiels) pour les oiseaux souhaités (par exemple, les oiseaux chanteurs) et qui attirent davantage d'oiseaux que les autres mélanges alimentaires pour oiseaux. Le mélange alimentaire pour oiseaux sauvages peut comprendre du tournesol noir, du millet blanc, du millet, des arachides, du carthame, du millet rouge et comprendre en outre des pastilles comprenant une huile incluant des acides gras essentiels. La composition de suif peut comprendre du suif et au moins un des éléments suivants : matières d'arrachage d'arachide, farine d'arachide, millet blanc, millet rouge, chips de tournesol, huile de colza, carthame, tournesol noir, vitamines, sel, DL-méthionine ou TBCC. La composition de graines pressées peut comprendre des arachides, du millet blanc, du millet rouge, du carthame, du tournesol noir, du millet, des pastilles et de colle de graine. Les pastilles peuvent comprendre de la farine de maïs complète, des chips de tournesol, de la farine de soja, de la farine de froment, de l'huile de colza, du paprika, des vitamines, du sel, de la DL-méthionine et du TBCC.
PCT/US2012/027323 2011-03-01 2012-03-01 Produits alimentaires et nutritionnels essentiels pour oiseaux sauvages WO2012118993A1 (fr)

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US20200253243A1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2020-08-13 Nslutreco IP Assets B.V Pet food product
JP2021129516A (ja) * 2020-02-19 2021-09-09 株式会社アイオイ 食肉の食味特性の改質促進用飼料 並びにこれを用いた家畜の育成方法
WO2023250474A1 (fr) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 TBS Innovations LLC Produits d'alimentation pour passereaux sauvages

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200253243A1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2020-08-13 Nslutreco IP Assets B.V Pet food product
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WO2023250474A1 (fr) * 2022-06-24 2023-12-28 TBS Innovations LLC Produits d'alimentation pour passereaux sauvages

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