Iodine block / grit - opinions?

[theswann]

Just wondering whether people have both / either / neither available for their birds?

Swann is keen on her iodine block (cue me getting worried she is nibbling at it too much - is that potentially likely / a problem??) although often I think it's a sounding board to talk at more than to actually nibble.

Initially she had grit available but I heard it potentially causes impaction (?) in their tummies so I took it out. I know opinion is divided on whether it's a good idea or not and just wondered what people's views were?

Thanks

[barrieshutt]

oyster shell grit MUST be available at all times, they will take it when they need it, other grits may cause crop impactation but oyster shell will not.

www.officialbarrieshuttbudgerigars.com/calcium.htm

[Ryan.W]

BOTH . They're great for budgies. My family members (who have also kept and still do own budgies) have fed both grits and iodine blocks/ nibbles. Cuttlefish are important too . It's never did any of our budgies any harm. . Charcoal is good too. As barrie say's if you're tied between, just use oyster shell . It has the same qualities ,but it can be broken down unlike un soluble grits which can remain in the birds crops for years.

[MattJ]

Is it ok if I put the oyster shells in with the food?

Also Puck doesnt really bother with his cuttlefish anymore, his beak length seems ok - but is there some nutrional value to it he wont get from the oyster shell?

[Ryan.W]

Oct 12, 2011 17:22:53 GMT MattJ said:

Is it ok if I put the oyster shells in with the food?

Also Puck doesnt really bother with his cuttlefish anymore, his beak length seems ok - but is there some nutrional value to it he wont get from the oyster shell?

I know if it was mine they would probably pick through the oyster shell and just eat the food . I prefer to feed it in a separate pot. But if your birds will it that way it wont do harm . No there pretty much the same thing.

[nat]

Oct 12, 2011 16:53:18 GMT Ryan.W said:

BOTH . They're great for budgies.

I have to disagree on the use of using insoluble grits for budgies.
On the basis that on a visit to an avian vet 2 years ago he explained to me that he saw more 'pet' birds suffering from grit impactions than anything else as their owners didn't realise the danger. I lost the bird I took to him through this.
Perhaps if oyster shell grit has been used as well as insoluble grit then it might have been less of a problem as the birds would choose this instead.

[Ryan.W]

Oct 12, 2011 18:07:02 GMT nat said:

Oct 12, 2011 16:53:18 GMT Ryan.W said:

BOTH . They're great for budgies.

I have to disagree on the use of using insoluble grits for budgies.
On the basis that on a visit to an avian vet 2 years ago he explained to me that he saw more 'pet' birds suffering from grit impactions than anything else as their owners didn't realise the danger. I lost the bird I took to him through this.
Perhaps if oyster shell grit has been used as well as insoluble grit then it might have been less of a problem as the birds would choose this instead.

I have little choice, as to provide a mix of insoluble and soluble. The local pet shop only sells a mix, and too get it online works out more expensive. But in the wild, i would amagine insoluble would be the main one available to them, they certainly would find very much oaster shell. I have been looking into getting oaster shell grit, and charcoal though. .