Do Parakeets Need Grit?

[Akane]

I'd just leave the cuttlebone alone in the cage. I don't think they need it when they are younger especially the males and I dislike force feeding a vitamin/mineral in case of overdose. Mine never touched it until they were 5months or so old and then they started destroying them weekly. The females will especially go after them when they are in breeding condition. You can also buy toys with oyster shell pieces that are more durable than cuttlebone and encourages them to chew on it.

 

[markbirds]

Just to clairify, oyster shell is a totally different thing then grit. Mine have always had cuttle bone and osyter shell at all times. Grit is something you put on the bottom of the cage.

 

[9Catsz]

Grit is something birds like chickens and pigeons need in their crops to break up their food. Birds such as parrots and finches hull their seeds and therefore don't need grit. To parrot what someone else already said cuttlebone and oyster shell are totally different than grit.

 

[AquaEyes]

If the question is "do they need grit?" then the answer is "no." You may hear from some people who say "I've been giving mine grit for years" but there are many more who never give grit. If they needed grit, then all the budgies who never got it would die. They haven't, so they don't need it.

End of problem.

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Grit and oystershell are two different things. Grit is indigestible, usually granite chips. and is used by some but not all birds in their gizzards to help them grind up food. Oystershell is a calcium supplement and is digestible so the bird's body can use the calcium.

Generally speaking, birds who hull their seeds with their beaks/tongues don't use grit.

 

[laughingdog]

just adding, but not trying to be a butt.. parrots/hook bills like budgies dont need grit (like sand), if they get proper calcium and mineral supplements/blocks at very least, as well as maybe oyster shell instead of cuttle bone for calcium and some of the minerals, as it acts as grit would but better for them, as sand used for pets is a man made process usually and is square instead of how natural sand is rounded. ive run into this problem and discussion in reptiles as well many times.
also they need to live a decent life also at least in summer go pick some dandelion greens and maybe let some seed soak in moist paper (non scented, non dyed/inked), to let them germinate and sprout (my females will devour a whole large dandelion plant or two between them, sharing with the males some, when theyre ready to breed). youll notice if you watch when you give them anything like sand paper perches or liner, and concrete perches etc, so theyre trying to get the things they want/need to digest better (many dont notice the comparison, but youll notice in plumage vigor, and droppings), as well as just use to sharpen and trim beak on, like theyll learn to do to the cuttle bone and mineral block (together or separate pieces). i know most of you probably know this, but some seem to not..