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Pet Forum / Birds / Parrots / January 2004Gravel for Tiels
I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat litter. Any observations or suggestions? > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? 1) Just because he's eating it, deosn't mean he needs it or that it is good for him. 2)Keep your bird AWAY from your cat's littlebox!!! It is not sanitary, healthy and the bird could get sick or die from eating cat litter (do you know what it is made from and how many chemicals it might have in it???) 3)I saw my macaw chewing on my curtains: should I include a daily ration of about 1/2 of fabric on her diet?  Signature~Marco~ "Shoot'er Wardell, Shoot'er in the head!" -Brother Boy ---------------------- chuck-underscore-marco-at-bellsouth-dot-net > 3)I saw my macaw chewing on my curtains: should I include a daily ration of > about 1/2 *A YARD* of fabric on her diet? :) Signature~Marco~ "Shoot'er Wardell, Shoot'er in the head!" -Brother Boy ---------------------- chuck-underscore-marco-at-bellsouth-dot-net > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? Suggestions are get yourself a book about tiels. Grit is not necessary for them and can be harmful. Cat litter, even clean is highly toxic due to the chemicals put in it to keep the smell down and make it clump. Apart from the fact that there will be some residue of cat pee and poo in the box. I hope your bird survives . >Any observations or suggestions? Hookbill birds, such as cockatiels, can break their seeds up in their beaks, and thus don't need gravel for digestion. Get them a mineral block, which gives them trace elements they many be craving, as well as something to trim their beak on. The ever popular cuttlebone is another good idea. Litter box just cleaned or not.... how disgusting! I would put the litter box somewhere where the bird can't get into it! > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? My cockatiel eats his gravel. I always thought that it helps in digesting their food. I have had my bird for nine years and the gravel has not hurt him in anyway. Since he eats it he must feel a need for it (-: that is what my conclusion is on the subject. Susan in Virginia > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? > My cockatiel eats his gravel. I always thought that it helps in digesting their > food. I have had my bird for nine years and the gravel has not hurt him in > anyway. Since he eats it he must feel a need for it (-: that is what my > conclusion is on the subject. > Susan in Virginia Another Virginian!!! Anyway Susan, this has been a hot topic in the past and I am sure it will be in the future. Our tiels liked their grit and did not appear to have any bad affects. I felt much the same way as you did. You would think the tiel would know if he/she needed the grit. I mean, it can't be the taste! ;) However, having read enough on the subject, I felt it wasn't worth the risk so we pulled the grit. Needless to say, they have been fine. Brad A supply of grit ensures that seed kernels can be grounded down effectively in the gizzard because, of course, cockatiels do not have teeth to perform this task. Give your bird a mixture of oystershell and mineralized grits, because of their varied mineral content. Also supply your bird with a iodine block which is for the bird's thyroid glands in the neck that influence the cockatiel's metabolism and overall level of activity. Seed is often low in iodine. Susan in Virginia > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? > A supply of grit ensures that seed kernels can be grounded down effectively in the > gizzard > because, of course, cockatiels do not have teeth to perform this task. Birds which hull seeds don't need grit. Grit can prove deadly if it causes an impacted crop. Pigeons and poultry which eat their grain whole, need grit. Not one of my 90 odd birds, nor in the 31 years as a bird keeper, has ever had grit, and they all seem to digest their grub just nicely. >Give your > bird a mixture of oystershell and mineralized grits, because of their varied > mineral content. Also supply your bird with a iodine block which is for the bird's > thyroid glands in the neck that influence the cockatiel's metabolism and overall > level of activity. Seed is often low in iodine. Manufacturers often add it to their seedmixes. I have always given Jasper grit the whole 7 years he has been alive and he has always eaten it, but I have heard some negative things about grit, so Piper doesn't get any. > I had been told by several people that cockatiels don't need gravel in their > diets, but I caught mine in the (thankfully just cleaned) litterbox, eating cat > litter. > > Any observations or suggestions? |
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