Note, Small Hookbill formulas were compared, canary formulas could be different. Comparison of Major Pellet Manufacturers When researching pellets, ask what nutritional studies were done with canaries. Most brands are formulated for hookbills, which need less protien. It doesn't necessarily mean anything about nutrition. Also, just because a company says that canary owners or breeders buy their brand doesn't mean it is nutritionally complete.
Some canary breeders use hookbill pellets and suppliment with egg food.
Others just don't know better, or are more concerned about the type of preservatives used or whether the ingredients are organic, neither have anything to do with whether the brand is nutritionally complete for canaries. Not everyone can always get a good pet sitter, especially in an emergency. Then there's the case of the sitters who forget to show up or just flake out. I always ask someone to stop by every day I'm gone, but once a neighbor just forgot the whole weekend. Since I left the trays full of pellets and extra water tubes, everyone was fine.