the argument over whether or not we should make grit available to our birds is one that I cannot see being answered anytime soon. some say make it available occasionly, others (like myself) have it available all the time then there is the third group who say never give it to your birds.
really it comes down to personal choice, what you believe is best for your bird. here are a few links that will hopefully help some of us understand both sides of the arguement a little better. having read these articles myself I will still be giving my birds their grit (cuttlefish, charcoal, eggshells and oystershell. all crushed up together).
http://www.peteducation.com/ar.....p;aid=2652
http://www.upatsix.com/fyi/doesyour.htm
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3105.asp
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww58eii.htm
making grit available for your birds + links
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Fischer
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- Posts: 86
- Joined: 20 Dec 2008, 01:21
- Location: Boorowa N.S.W
- Location: Boorowa N.S.W
Hi Mick 
This is an interesting topic, there are pros and cons with feeding grit, personally I have always made grit available to all my birds, have done for nearly 50 years of bird keeping and have had very few, if any, problems doing this.
I think it's quite possible that it's saved more birds than not, particulary birds that may be suffering from a slight crop or gizzard impaction and the fine grit has helped clear this without the keepers intervention.
Out of the four articles you have given links for, the one by Carol Highfill is the most factuall and states the pros and cons best
Your first link seems to have changed to this one
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 5&aid=2652
Cheers Tony
This is an interesting topic, there are pros and cons with feeding grit, personally I have always made grit available to all my birds, have done for nearly 50 years of bird keeping and have had very few, if any, problems doing this.
I think it's quite possible that it's saved more birds than not, particulary birds that may be suffering from a slight crop or gizzard impaction and the fine grit has helped clear this without the keepers intervention.
Out of the four articles you have given links for, the one by Carol Highfill is the most factuall and states the pros and cons best
Your first link seems to have changed to this one
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... 5&aid=2652
Cheers Tony