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/article.cfm ... 5&aid=2652
http://www.upatsix.com/fyi/doesyour.htm
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3105.asp
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww58eii.htm
grit - links
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mickp
- Weaning
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franny
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Thanks Mick, this will be interesting to read through. What you refer to as grit, is what most of us on this forum feed. It's the medicinal kind, really a mineral/calcium supplement. I don't think most people here would not give this to their finches all the time.
The type of grit that I think is really contentious is the non-supplemental kind, which is just course sand. No added calcium. Some of those sites still claim that finches need it to help digest food in the crop, while others say they don't need it because they de-husk the seeds they eat.
Since the oystershell kind is a form of "grit" that I think would also help to grind up the seeds, and also provide calcium at the same time, then why give the sand type grit (while it may contain some trace elements, the amounts would be an unknown).
The type of grit that I think is really contentious is the non-supplemental kind, which is just course sand. No added calcium. Some of those sites still claim that finches need it to help digest food in the crop, while others say they don't need it because they de-husk the seeds they eat.
Since the oystershell kind is a form of "grit" that I think would also help to grind up the seeds, and also provide calcium at the same time, then why give the sand type grit (while it may contain some trace elements, the amounts would be an unknown).
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fairestfinches
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The real difference is that calcium products like cuttle bone, eggshell, and oyster shell are soluble which means that they can be digested, while sand is insoluble and can not be digested.
We only offer soluble forms of "grit" to aid in breaking down seed in the crop since it can be digested and does not cause birds to have issues with impacted crops. Soluble forms of "grit" also have dietary benefits that insoluble (i.e. sand) do not.
Sean
We only offer soluble forms of "grit" to aid in breaking down seed in the crop since it can be digested and does not cause birds to have issues with impacted crops. Soluble forms of "grit" also have dietary benefits that insoluble (i.e. sand) do not.
Sean