Posted by T.B on August 16, 2000 at 21:24:31:
In Reply to: Off topic of iguanas posted by Joan on August 16, 2000 at 09:11:06:
: T.B
: Do you know if they still recommend it with parakeets and cockatiels? I have a both and have fed them grit for many, many years. They love it. Do you know if it is bad for them?
Hi Joan, grit is no longer recommeneded for members of the parrot family which includes parakeets and cockatiels. The reason is that these birds hull their seeds (unlike pigeons which eat whole seeds) and the grinding action of the gizzard is sufficient for digestion. Grit impaction can be a problem for birds as well and I would theorize that the frequency of the problem is becoming more apparent now that post-mortems are done more commonly. Of course many birds have consumed grit for years with no apparent problems but if there is even a chance of harm and grit is not necessarry then why bother using it?
T.B