What about Grit??
All too often we are asked about giving parrots grit. Most major pet stores still carry this, in the same section with the supplies for companion birds. It is an often confusing subject that we want to take just a moment to address.
What is Grit?
For the term of this article we will be referring to insoluble grit. This is the stuff that comes in boxes at the major pet chains. This can be composed of items such as silicate, sandstone, and even small stones. These items cannot be digested, making them insoluble.
Why Grit?
Grit is used in some avian species in order to help in the digestive process. Grit, when in the ventriculus, can aid in breaking apart the hard outer shell of seeds which can act like a barrier to prevent digestive enzymes from reaching the softer and nutritious seeds inside.
Who needs Grit?
As you can see from the above answer, only avian species who eat the entire seed, shell and all, need grit in their diet. Some birds, such as Doves, do ingest the entire seed, and do need grit in order to achieve the full nutrition of the food they eat. However, parrots do not eat the entire seed, they shell the food that they eat. Parrots remove the hull of seed as they eat it, by holding it in the ridges of the upper mandible and using the lower mandible to crack and remove any hull. The hull is then pushed out of the mouth and thus disposed of. Parrots are not the only birds who eat their seed in this manner, passerine species also hull their seed and do not require grit to help them in the digestive process.
But my friends birds got Grit and were ok!
It is true some birds can have grit and be fine. However, this is not always the case and it is important to be aware of the potential problems grit can cause in parrots.
Some birds may overconsume grit, which can lead to crop, proventricular, or even ventricular impactions.
Grit may (and often does) contain charcoal, which can reduce the birds ability to absorb vitamins A, B2, and K... which can result in deficiency.
We at Feathered Family feel that the possible problems with feeding pssitacine or passerine species grit outweigh any possible benefit. We do not, nor have we ever, feed grit. We do not recommend anyone do so, unless under the direct medical guidance of a certified avian veterinarian.