Conference 7.286::pet_birds

50.0. "Grit in the Diet" by FREKE::HUTCHINS (Feathered Obsessions Aviary) Fri Nov 11 1988 11:16

    	To Feed or Not to Feed -- As I Decide I Grit my Teeth!
    
    This was published last month, and I have submitted to other
    publications for a look see....since the question has come up, I
    decided to offer it to you for an opinion and hopefully help you
    in making your decisions...it's a little long, but worthy of reading
    I think...thanks for your eyes!!!
    
    "In the author's opinion, sufficient for the efficient function of
    the ventriculus (the gizzard) in psittacines (and passerines) is 
    accomplished by providing 10 to 12 appropriately sized grains (of
    grit) two to four times a year.  Some digestive disturbances and 
    impactions have been associated with the over consumption of ad lib
    grit.  Because grit does not dissolve in the ventriculus, oyster shell 
    and other dissolavable substances do not serve as grit products."  
    (The author of this pararaph is Dr. Greg Harrison, DVM, Lake Worth Florida).
    
    What does grit do?  Grit is only used in the "gizzard" a very muscular
    or non-glandular stomach.  There is a hard wall inside the gizzard
    which is used with the grit to grind up food.  If you are feeding
    soft bills, i.e. lories or toucans, the grit requirement is considerably
    less.  Fruit takes little effort to pass thru the gizzard.  However,
    for carnivores, meat eaters, or birds that consume considerable amounts
    of rough foods, more grit is required to grind what is ingested.
    
    It seems that just a few grains of grit is offering your birds next
    to nothing, however, since the grit is non-digestable, it remains
    in the gizzard till worn and eliminated.  So, just a little goes
    a long way.
    
    How is the grit used?  Well, gee, I'm glad you asked!  Especially
    since this is such a controversial topic...the grit works in the
    gizzard to break up food products for digestion.  the gizzard is
    a very musccular little organ, and it "churns" its contents.  As
    this little organ churns, the grit forces food products against
    the muscular wall.  Working constantly back and forth, muscle and
    grit, the food is processed and digested.
    
    What happens if there is no grit in the diet?  Well, according to
    Dr. Harrison, to whom I spoke with personally on this issue, "nothing".
    That's what makes this such a controversial subject!  If there is
    no grit in the diet, nothing will happen.  He does recommend, along
    with two other doctors I spoke with, that quail, pigeons, doves
    and chickens (game birds) should have grit available because these
    birds swallow their food whole.  There really should be something
    to break up the feed so that it can be fully digested and the
    nutritional values of these foods can be better realized..Taking
    that thought one step further...if nutrition is not gleaned from
    the food, the bird may ultimately starve...saddening thought...
    
    So what is grit?  It is not ground oyster shells or egg shells.
    Grit, in it's purest form is "rock" very finely ground rock.  This
    is why grit is not is non-digestable.  Therefore, the only way to
    be rid of a rock is to throw it away or wait for time and nature
    to wear it away!
    
    When using grit, should you decide to do so, use care.  Offer only
    a tiny bit at a time, to eliminate the hazards of impaction and
    use fine grit, to be sure tender crops and intestines do not become
    injured.
    
    Respectfully Offered for Discussion!
    
    Jean Hutchins

    Did you know...
    
    Of the many products we offer our pet birds, such as powdered calcium
    carbonate, white oyster shells and mineral/salt blocks made for
    rabbits are wonderful, however those containing charcoal actually
    absorb valuable nutrients from the birds and gray oyster shells
    demonstrate ex-ray density which is indicitive of metal contamination?
    
    J(ean)  8^}
    

    Jean,
    
    What mineral salt blocks are the best for the birds?  They have
    the white, the red and the yellow blocks?  Should they be hung
    in the cage or ground up or what?  I didn't think birds could handle
    salt however my parrot loves corn chips and they have a little salt
    on them.  He only gets one or two though, cause I was worried about
    the salt!
    
    As usual I'm learning sooooo much from this notes file and you help
    tremendously Jean!

    Thanks Karen!
    
    I have 'never' heard of or seen a yellow block!  I use the red ones
    cause they have a little more iodine added....
    
    Chips are ok too!  My cats eat chips! (if there are any in the house,
    but the birds get first crack at 'em - pop corn too!
    
    Oh yeah, I just hang em in the cages, they eat what they want when
    they need it.
    
    Jean

    Hi Jean....
    
    (Be watching for your electronic mail!  I got your article!  I was
    so excited!)
    
    Anyway, I hadn't seen anything but RED salt blocks (for my horse)
    until recenlty when we went to the Carnation store.  They have small
    round ones with holes in the middle in three different colors. 
    I will have to look next time to see what the differences are between
    white, yellow and red.  Maybe this is what you call a Decorator
    Salt Block?  I got the red for my rabbits.  

    I like Mauve!  Get Mauve!
    
    j
    

    Jean,
    
    Are chips OK?  Sinbad LOVES them but I was worried about giving
    him more than half of one.  There is a lot of salt on a corn chip.
    
    Mark
    
    

    You can usually get the unsalted chips at Purity Supreme in Acton,
    by the deli counter.
    
    They are a favorite among my parrots, second only to red grapes.

    -Steve

    If I'm giving my budgies (and soon to be cockatiel) cuttlebone,
    should I also be giving them a mineral block?  
    
    What are the big grey, gritty cuttlebone shaped things in the pet
    store?  Are they minerals too?
    

    Gee Wiz, go ahead!  A few chips won't hurt!  Only 2 or 3 though.
    I'd be more concerned about the grease than the salt!  Besides,
    after what Sinbad's been thru...let her have some!
    
    j
    

    Yellow salt bocks contain sulfer.  some farmers notice a less proplem
    with yeast infections for their cattle.