Do pet parakeets(budgerigars) need gravel?

Question

Seriosly, if you dont knopw for an exact fact, then pleazz do not answer, because, I am gettting a parakeet, and it's life could depend on you, if you don't tell me the truth! Please!

Answer 1

Yes they do. Actually all birds need some form of gravel to help them digest their food. You can get it at any pet store.

Have fun with your new budgie. :)

P.S. Cuttle bones are for helping them keep their beaks sharp and keep them (the beak) from over growing. It also provides them with extra calcium.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Parakeets and other hookbilled birds (cockatiels, parrots etc) do not need any kind of grit or gravel. This is only needed for smaller songbirds like canaries and finches. They store it in their gizzards and it helps them grind up their food. Because of the unique anatomy of hookbills, they do not need gravel and could actually be harmed by it. They would benefit, though, from a cuttlebone or some kind of mineral block made for birds which will make sure they get enough calcium. I am surprised that some people said that 'keets need gravel, its not true. I have parakeets and cockatiels and have been researching their care and nutrition for years. It is not necessary. I have never given my birds gravel and they are quite old and have had no problems.
So disregard everyone else, I hope you enjoy your parakeet. They make great pets and thank you for trying to find out how best to care for it.

Answer 4

No.

When people first started keeping birds as pets, veterinarians did research on three types of birds to find out what was important for their health. These birds were chickens, doves/pigeons, and canaries/finches. Those three types of birds swallow their seeds whole, with the shells still on, so they require gravel in their crop to further grind up the seeds. Vets then told pet owners that all birds need gravel based upon the three types they had studied.

Now time has passed, and vets have realized that hookbills (parrots, parakeets, and all that fit in those catagories) actually peel the shell off the seed before swallowing, and therefore they do not require gravel.

For most parrots/parakeets, a moderate amount of gravel in their diet will NOT harm them, so if you're in doubt it's fine to provide some gravel. Also, don't just take my word or anyone else here's word on it: look in a phone book for a certified avian vet and call them to ask. And when you get your new bird, take him/her to the vet within a week for a "well bird" examination - this is to make sure you got a healthy bird, and so your vet can know what's normal for your bird to compare should he or she ever get sick.

Best of luck with your new companion!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do pet parakeets(budgerigars) need gravel?
Seriosly, if you dont knopw for an exact fact, then pleazz do not answer, because, I am gettting a parakeet, and it's life could depend on you, if you don't tell me the truth! Please!

Answer 6

I have 2 budgies, and I have never given them gravel. Budgies shell their seeds (that's why a seed dish can look full but actually be full of husks) so they do not need grit like pigions and other birds which eat their seeds whole. It can actaully be bad for them if they eat it too much, although a little of it supposedly wont hurt them. Providing grit for budgies seems to be a common thing in quite a few countries, bu here in australia(where budgies came from!) i've never seen anyone, not even the pet shop owner who breeds his own budgies and cockateils, do it. I'm sure some people probably do, it's just very rare and no on has ever reccomended it to me. It's kind of like sand paer perches, which most shops and books will tell you are god for keeping birds nails trim but are actaully bad for their soft little feet.

Answer 7

No.
Hook bills do not need gravel. Any bird that shells their seed before they eat it do not require gravel. Birds requiring gravel are those that eat seed in it's entirety and do not pop it out of its shell first.
Gravel or grit can actually be harmful for parrots as it can get impacted in their crop.
It is a needless purchase and can be harmful.
There has been a lot of improvement in the science of Avian medicine and parrot husbandry in the last 20 years, and this has been one of the discoveries.
So please do not give your budgie grit.
I found this quote:
"Most authorities agree that healthy psittacines (e.g.; parrots, budgies, cockatiels) fed a proper diet do not need grit. Some studies have shown that passerines (e.g., canaries and finches) have a behavioral or nutritional need for the ingestion of soluble grit. No evidence suggests that the provision of insoluble grit in the canary diet has any benefit and oversupplementation may lead to health problems. Soluble grit offered to passerines should only be in very small amounts - several grains every few weeks. Birds with pancreatic disease (the pancreas produces most of the digestive enzymes) or certain digestive problems may benefit from the addition of small amounts of grit to their diet. If your bird has a digestive problem, consult your veterinarian regarding your bird's need for grit.

Some birds, especially psittacines (members of the parrot family) may eat too much grit, if it is available. This can irritate the digestive system or actually cause an impaction (blockage) of the crop, ventriculus, or proventriculus. Pet birds on a poor diet may also eat too much grit in an attempt to fill their nutritional requirements."


See links:
http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources...

http://budgies.ubergoth.net/contents/die...

http://www.boaf.com/article_2.htm...

http://www.talkbudgies.com/faq.php?faq=h...

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

Answer 8

I had a parakeet, and I definitely had gravel in his cage. I bought him from a breeder, and he told me they all have to have it to digest their food. Every time he ate, he would eat some of the gravel too. Pretty funny, but I hung it on the cage in one of those little cups that their food goes in. I'm sure when you go to buy the bird, they will tell you that if they are any good. Oh, one more interesting bit of information, Parakeet have a very large vocabulary. To teach him words, just keep repeating the words you want him to say, one at a time. Eventually, he will speak them. It's so amazing, I just love them. Good luck, I hope you enjoy him as much as I do.

Answer 9

Bird Gravel

Answer 10

Yes they do. I had a book on Parakeets when my children had two. It states in the book that they do. If you stop into Walmart or Meijer they will have books on this subject and you can research it yourself. It has something to do with their digestion. Good luck!