Mine really like to eat it from the gravel paper I buy to line the cage but I have been told it is not good for them.... There is a lot of conflicting information and if anyone can clear this up for me I would greatly appreciated it.
Please cite source.
2007-09-26 09:35:23 · 7 answers · asked by Myra G 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
My motto... when in doubt leave it out! I strongly urge you NOT to use it.
Here is something I found on my favorite bird board, www.theperch.net.
Grit is a NO NO for hookbills
Grit is generally a calcium fortified sand, rock and/or shell mix.
Grit is an important aid in helping certain birds digest food but NOT parrots!!
Birds such as finches and canaries (Passerines) and even chickens, must have access to grit or sand to help digest seed, as their system does not have the powerful muscles that the parrot's (Psittacines) system has. Passerines also have a larger opening to pass these non-digestable particles out into the intestine. Parrots have strong muscles to grind their foods internally, but a small exit opening, so that rocks, sand and shell can remain trapped within the bird.
Case Example: Homer's blood tests prior to his arrival six months ago appeared normal. However, we noticed he displayed faint neurological problems. His neurological problems intensified over time. A few days ago it was obvious something was seriously wrong and we realized that he had begun to lose weight and was quite thin. We immediately took him to our veterinarian, who did new bloodwork on him and took x-rays of the sick bird. The diagnosis was not good. Homer, fed this long-term diet of grit, is impacted ...
He cannot get enough nourishment to sustain himself. Food is not properly digested. He cannot even get enough fluids to keep his kidneys functioning properly. As his kidneys became involved, and high uric acid levels were released, calcium began to be deposited throughout his body, attaching to his spine, fusing vertebrae.
Homer is in foster care at the Veterinarian's office, on life supporting gavage feedings and fluids. We do not know what his prognosis is at this time; i.e., we are not sure whether the grit will pass through and the kidneys will regain full use.
Homer may die ....
I ask you to take note! If you are feeding your parrots grit, throw it away. If your bird - including little ones like Parakeets and Conures - no matter what the "pet store" told you - has been on this diet for any sustained period, please take him to your avian Veterinarian for an exam and, if necessary, an x-ray. The life you save may be the life of the bird you love!
2007-09-26 10:18:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No no gravel, any bird that hulls seed doesn't need it. If they eat it they could get an obstruction and die. NO gravel paper either, they use glue to hold that on the paper, same with the gravel perch covers. The only birds that get gravel or grit are doves, pigeons or any bird that doesn't hull the seed. To hull the seed is to take the seed covering off. That is why we have a mess on the floor. Go to rbook4u and read all the cool links and articles in it.
2007-09-26 11:59:06 · answer #2 · answered by Denise L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was thought that Grit/Gravel was needed for the birds to digest their food. but if you feed a well balanced diet of pellets,seeds, fresh fruits and vegi's it's not neccessary. Also, birds don't know when enough is enough for their little crop. Alot of birds tend to eat too much grit and they can't eat as much food and they get sick and/or pass away. Any good avian vet will tell you it's not neccessary.
2007-09-26 10:25:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
through contemporary study of parrot-varieties and their nutritional desires in captivity all of us be attentive to the thank you to extra advantageous feed & look after puppy birds (thankfully we are nevertheless gaining knowledge of). Grit seems to be between the failings that grow to be mistakenly over-fed to parrots over the an prolonged time. the thought grow to be that when you consider that birds did not have the teeth they mandatory little bits of grit to crush the seed they have been ingesting. seems that may not even close. Like human beings, parrots have a solid sort of digestive enzymes that smash down the nutrients of their gut. it incredibly is after it receives a solid mashing in the birds muscular gizzard. keep your funds and don't furnish it, as a exchange feed finely overwhelmed egg shell. it is undemanding for the birds physique to take up and is a suited calcium supplement. the backside of the cage could desire to be coated w newspaper or paper towels. This makes it undemanding so you might maintain an eye fixed on your birds droppings ("off" droppings are generally the 1st outward sign of ailment).
2016-10-20 01:48:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
Years ago, gravel was known to be good for a parakeets' digestive system. It was necessary to add gravel to the gravel paper. I HAVEN'T HAD A PARAKEET FOR MANY YEARS. There may be new ways to help digestion. Amy
2007-09-26 09:52:21 · answer #5 · answered by amy_mcalvin 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i see the gal above says no grit for hookbills, and yes there are conflicting stories.
macaws in the wild eat clay.
maybe a cuttlebone would be a good choice to offer the bird some minerals?
2007-09-26 10:25:14 · answer #6 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
gravel is fine for them, they have a specialized organ to digest it, and it actually helps in the digestion of seed
2007-09-26 10:05:04 · answer #7 · answered by candygrr1 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋