Is there any difference between cage & wild bird seed mixes?

[Denninmi]

In terms of quality, health, and safety?

Is there a valid reason why seed mixes for caged birds are SO much more expensive than the same types of blends for wild birds?

Or, is it just a rip off?

And, is the only difference in the vitamin and mineral supplements added to the caged bird blends? Because those are easy and cheap to add to food yourself.

Just wondering. I am going through a lot of expensive caged bird blends for my doves, and I am wondering if I am being wise to buy the more expensive stuff, or just getting ripped off and could be saving a lot of money by buying the wild bird blends for them.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Doves should have some protein, also. In addition to seeds and grains, they also eat insects in the wild. No birds do well on seeds alone, although some do better with more seed in the diet. They also need other foods.

What kind of doves do you have?

 

[silkiechicken]

I don't really know the differences other than likly vit/mineral additions, but it seems from the bags of wild bird seeds, they have less variety and lower quality. Wild mixes seem to be almost all white millet and sunflower seeds, and often have bugs. Not something I'd really want to give my caged birds. Chickens sure, but not the keets or tiel. Maybe Doves are more like chickens though? My caged birds get more pellets than seed though.

 

[bagendhens]

wild bird mixes are cheaper 'filler' seeds ike millet... they also tend to be very fattening with tons of sunflower seeds and little else.
they dont have the veriety a good seed mix has which should include everything from millet to safflower seeds to pumpkin seeds ect...

theres also different regulations for packaging and treatment (ie pesticides)