Oct 7, 2011 11:42:06 GMT
theswann
Normal Violet
Posts: 107
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Post by theswann on Oct 12, 2011 16:43:02 GMT
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
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Post by barrieshutt on Oct 12, 2011 16:45:41 GMT
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Post by Ryan.W on Oct 12, 2011 16:53:18 GMT
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.
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Oct 7, 2011 16:29:59 GMT
MattJ
Normal Green
Puck
Posts: 329
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Post by MattJ on Oct 12, 2011 17:22:53 GMT
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?
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Post by Ryan.W on Oct 12, 2011 17:29:42 GMT
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.
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Post by nat on Oct 12, 2011 18:07:02 GMT
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.
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Post by Ryan.W on Oct 12, 2011 19:11:42 GMT
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. .
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