Wondering about bird gravle

[Holly35]

Hello I was wondering can I put the bird gravle on the bird food? like sprankle a little bit on the food or should I just put the gravle in another food dish?.

[Eurycerus]

As long as your parrot has a balanced, healthy diet, cuttlebones, gravel, and grit are NOT necessary. There have been reports of crop impaction in some parrots due to feeding them these items. Ensure that your food provides proper amounts of calcium (which high quality pellets generally provide).

Some additional information: "Grit or gravel (which is made of from rock, sand, oyster shells etc. in many wild bird’s diets), is there to provide the same service that is accomplished by our parrot’s ventriculus, or muscular stomach. Since parrot’s also hull their seeds and nuts and eat only the soft inner parts, gravel is NOT a requirement in their diet. It is simply an unnecessary aid to breaking down food and can actually cause harm to the digestive system. Unfortunately, it is sold in many pet stores without any warnings as to it’s hazard to parrots."

A website with more information: http://eclectusparrots.net/grit.html

[marie83]

Do you mean grit?

If so I'm not sure it is still recommended for budgies, I know it isn't for most parrot species these days as it can result in impaction of the digestive tract. Apparently its only birds that eat the whole seed (with the shells/hulls) that need grit. That said I used to give my budgie and 'tiels grit and it never did them any harm, on the other hand I don't give any of my birds grit these days and haven't for along time, again they are doing just fine without it.

I would suggest doing some research for more recent advice and if you do decide to offer it give tiny tiny quantities in a container that doesn't contain any food.

[Holly35]

Okay thank you both for the help on this my new parakeet will have a cuttle bone and mineral block all in one that way the bird get's what it needs.