Roudybush
Pelleted and nectar diets developed from avian research at UC Davis, from a company manufacturing bird food since 1985
✓ American Manufacturing
Our assessment
Company details
Where Roudybush products are made
“Roudybush, Inc. manufactures specialized bird foods.” The company has been doing so “since August of 1985,” and began in 800 square feet of rented space at the request of aviculturists.
“We match the technique to the diet,” the company explains — “steam pelletizing for our pellet and crumble diets, and extrusion for diets that are difficult to make by steam pelletizing.” It now works from “a 32,000 square foot warehouse with state-of-the-art equipment.”
“Roudybush is located in Woodland, CA.” The product pages themselves carry no origin line, which is why this profile rests on the company’s statements rather than on product-level copy.
What this emblem covers. Roudybush states that it manufactures its bird foods and that it is located in Woodland, California. Those statements are company-level; none of its product pages names a country of origin. The emblem reflects the company’s manufacturing, not a per-product Made in USA claim.
The story
Roudybush was built on research. Tom Roudybush, an avian nutritionist, spent 16 years in the Department of Avian Sciences at UC Davis, and the company says UC Davis research flocks of Orange-winged Amazons have been kept on Roudybush pellets since 1981.
Aviculturists wanted the diet for their own birds, so in 1985 he began manufacturing it in 800 square feet of rented space. A year later he added nectar diets for wildlife rehabilitators raising hummingbirds.
The range today covers maintenance and breeder pellets and crumbles in several sizes, a California Blend, nectars for lories and other nectar-feeders, and a set of veterinarian-only formulas.
Why they matter
Much of what is sold as bird food is seed blended from commodity inputs. Roudybush makes formulated diets and explains how — steam pelletizing for pellets and crumbles, extrusion where pelleting will not work — which is manufacturing in the plain sense.
The company discourages third-party repackaging of its food, and sells through distributors, stores and veterinarians.
It is a small, specialised maker that has stayed with one idea for four decades: feed birds a diet designed from research.
Shop Roudybush products
Roudybush bird diets, in the Buy American Campaign store.
Roudybush questions
Is Roudybush bird food made in the USA?
Roudybush says it manufactures its bird foods and that it is located in Woodland, California. Its product pages do not state a country of origin, so this profile describes the company’s manufacturing rather than badging individual products.
Who founded Roudybush?
Avian nutritionist Tom Roudybush, after 16 years of research at UC Davis. The company began manufacturing in 1985.
How are the diets made?
By steam pelletizing for pellets and crumbles, and by extrusion for diets that are difficult to pelletize, according to the company.
What does Roudybush make?
Maintenance and breeder pellets and crumbles in several sizes, a California Blend, nectar diets, and veterinarian-only formulas.