South African Grit

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:53 am

Found this Grit at a local pet store pls tell me if you think its suitable.
Its was rather cheap, R10 (US $1).

It contains calcium, phosphorous and carbon as well as Silicon, Mangnesium, Salt, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Nickel, Cobalt, Iron, Aluminium, Sulphur.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:42 am

That mix is probably for parakeets etc.
For gouldians you're better off with a mix of Crushed eggshells (Microwaved) Crushed oystershell,grated cuttlefish bone and a pinch of charcoal.I wouldn't use that you have bought if I were you.

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:04 am

OK, Ill have to do some grit manufacturing. Its got a picture of a cockatiel, budgie and a canary on the front so I thought Id take a chance. The pieces seemed a bit too big anyway.

Thanks

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:04 am

no, I wouldn't use it either. Sorry. At least it was just a dollar.
You can buy oyster shalls crushed at most pet stores. It is in a box and faily cheap. Also, like poohbear said get you a cuttlefish and shave it into a little bowl and sprinkle it on their food about two times a week. More when breeding....

williep · Post by **williep** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:00 pm

Shane, I offered the same grit to my finches, still do once in a while. They don't take to it, like poohbear said it's more suitable for budgies. My laughing doves loves it so I still use it for them. It's not that easy to find crushed oyster shell in SA so I use cuttlebone and eggshell and charcoal. For gouldians I use a bit more charcoal and add powdered kelp.

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:32 am

I'm also making the same mixture, using grated cuttlebone, eggshell and charcoal.

Willie, its the charcoal made by the same company as that grit. Is this what you are using?

I'm also using a calcium supplement in their soft food mix.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:44 am

ShaneW wrote:I'm also making the same mixture, using grated cuttlebone, eggshell and charcoal.

Willie, its the charcoal made by the same company as that grit. Is this what you are using?

You can make your own charcoal,Its very easy as long as you have somwhere to light a small fire eg.back yard, wood heater,Favourite camping spot.

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:35 am

the bought charcoal that im using has got iodine added

and im a bit nervous as to which branch to burn to make charcoal, I have no idea what is poisonous and what is not

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:14 pm

Shane, I use their charcoal, it is relatively cheap and like you mentioned has added iodine. I know a lot of breeders who use also uses that so I'm sure we're OK.

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:59 am

Great... thanks!

Im still not if they eating it though

williep · Post by **williep** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:36 am

Give them time, birds will eat grit when they need it it won't be consumed like seeds. A small grit cup will last my birds about a week