Gravel

[Kalidasa]

How many budgie owners on here use gravel? I've always used it up until about a year ago, it was recommended to discontinue. However without it, they seek dirt and whatnot. I was giving clay granules for a while, which they seemed to enjoy, but it made their droppings like cement! I don't give my conure anything like that. Do you think it's ok to offer gravel occainsionally to the budgies?

 

[aliray]

I would not give gravel . Birds can get impacted bowels if they eat too much and it is not needed. Budgies shell the seeds before they eat them so it is not needed. Even my canary doesn't need gravel. Back in the dark ages when I had a parakeet and a java rice finch all birds got gravel but that was probly 59 years ago. none of my birds get gravel. The canary sur prised me but I have had him for 3 or 4 years and he is just fine. gravel for hookbills has gone the way of the horse and buggy

 

[Kalidasa]

I would not give gravel . Birds can get impacted bowels if they eat too much and it is not needed. Budgies shell the seeds before they eat them so it is not needed. Even my canary doesn't need gravel. Back in the dark ages when I had a parakeet and a java rice finch all birds got gravel but that was probly 59 years ago. none of my birds get gravel. The canary sur prised me but I have had him for 3 or 4 years and he is just fine. gravel for hookbills has gone the way of the horse and buggy

Thanks for your response. That's what I thought, and recently someone went on and on to me about it, so I had to double check. I believe people thought they needed gravel after observing pigeons,and pigeons don't hull seeds. Well, after they had some I took it out. They have (and use) a cuttlebone, that's enough.

 

[crimson]

I've heard horror stories of budgies eating too much gravel and dying....they just don't know when to stop eating it.

If I understand it, gravel helps aid in the digestion, maybe you could offer a mineral block.
Not sure if they would go for it, but it's worth a try.
How is the clay working out?

 

[Kalidasa]

I've heard horror stories of budgies eating too much gravel and dying....they just don't know when to stop eating it.

If I understand it, gravel helps aid in the digestion, maybe you could offer a mineral block.
Not sure if they would go for it, but it's worth a try.
How is the clay working out?

Well, my older budgie (10+) used to have problems with grit, he would occainsionally puff up and look uncomfortable, fly to my curtain rod, and start emptying his crop of gravel, it would come raining down. And then he would feel better. So after the 2nd episode of that about a year ago I stopped giving it. Of course they would seek it out in houseplant dirt or wherever they could find it. So recently I found that clay-cal and offered that....I had asked the vet about it when I was there for Nika and she said it was better than gravel and better than houseplant soil. My older budgie never had an incident with the clay, but their droppings became like cement so I stopped. All the plants are outside now, so there is no access to dirt. I may just offer the clay very occainsionally just to satisfy their desire to eat earthy granules. I wonder why they bother eating gravel if its not good for them?
Sorry this post was a novel.

 

[Birdlover11]

It's okay ! I think they might be seeking out some vitamins they aren't getting from their diet . Do you offer fruits and veggies ?

 

[Kalidasa]

Yes, my budgies have always gotten greens and veggies every day. Especially greens, I've always given my budgies lots of fresh greens daily, and I think that may be why I've always had very healthy long-lived budgies. Also, they are fully flighted and unconfined, so they are very heavily exercised. They never stop.

 

[crimson]

I've heard horror stories of budgies eating too much gravel and dying....they just don't know when to stop eating it.

If I understand it, gravel helps aid in the digestion, maybe you could offer a mineral block.
Not sure if they would go for it, but it's worth a try.
How is the clay working out?

Well, my older budgie (10+) used to have problems with grit, he would occainsionally puff up and look uncomfortable, fly to my curtain rod, and start emptying his crop of gravel, it would come raining down. And then he would feel better. So after the 2nd episode of that about a year ago I stopped giving it. Of course they would seek it out in houseplant dirt or wherever they could find it. So recently I found that clay-cal and offered that....I had asked the vet about it when I was there for Nika and she said it was better than gravel and better than houseplant soil. My older budgie never had an incident with the clay, but their droppings became like cement so I stopped. All the plants are outside now, so there is no access to dirt. I may just offer the clay very occainsionally just to satisfy their desire to eat earthy granules. I wonder why they bother eating gravel if its not good for them?
Sorry this post was a novel.

they don't know any better. It would be the same if we offered coffee or chocolate, now you have me thinking.....I'm going to research why budgies like eating gravel, if I find anything I'll let you know.

 

[crimson]

here you go

Lisa Shea - Origami, Parakeets, Birding.

 

[Kalidasa]

here you go

Lisa Shea - Origami, Parakeets, Birding.

So it was pigeons....the old noodle has still got some life in it! I can't believe I remembered that. Lol!

 

[Birdlover11]

Yes, my budgies have always gotten greens and veggies every day. Especially greens, I've always given my budgies lots of fresh greens daily, and I think that may be why I've always had very healthy long-lived budgies. Also, they are fully flighted and unconfined, so they are very heavily exercised. They never stop.

They probably just eat without a particular reason . I would try and stop it for a week and see if it affects their behavior somehow . If it doesn't then I would stop it as they don't really need it , I'm worried it might start problems
the digestive tract . Though you should talk to your vet about it , I never heard of this situation before

 

[Kalidasa]

Yes, my budgies have always gotten greens and veggies every day. Especially greens, I've always given my budgies lots of fresh greens daily, and I think that may be why I've always had very healthy long-lived budgies. Also, they are fully flighted and unconfined, so they are very heavily exercised. They never stop.

They probably just eat without a particular reason . I would try and stop it for a week and see if it affects their behavior somehow . If it doesn't then I would stop it as they don't really need it , I'm worried it might start problems
the digestive tract . Though you should talk to your vet about it , I never heard of this situation before

Thanks for the advice Wings, I threw it all away.