The Purpose of Grit

“Grit is used by birds to aid in digestion of seeds” is a sentence seen over and over again, in both outdated parrot care books, or other related texts. What this sentence fails to convey, is that grit is used by birds to aid in the digestion of whole, intact seeds. Birds digestive enzymes work amazingly well in digesting the inner portion of the seeds, but can have difficulty in breaking down the hull (which is the fibrous outer coating). Grit, in the avian ventriculus, aids in grinding and wearing away the outer shell of the seeds, enabling the digestive enzymes to reach the nutrients within the inner portion of the seed.

What Exactly Is Grit?

The term grit is often loosely used and not entirely explained. There are two groups of substances that go by the name of grit- soluble and insoluble. Insoluble grit, as the type that is being discussed here, is composed of minute substances such as sandstones and other minerals often found in dirt and clays. Insoluble grit cannot be digested and will ermine in the body until expelled.

Soluble grit is organic, and can include crushes shells – often oyster shells- or cuttlebone. Since soluble grit is mostly calcium carbonate, it is easily digested by the acids found in the proventriculus and poses little danger of accumulating in the digestive system. However, while soluble grits can offer an alternative source of calcium, it does little in actually aiding the digestion of seeds.

Do Birds Really Require Grit?

In the United States, the general consensus seems to be a hearty ‘no’. The purpose of grit is to remove the outer coatings of whole seeds, so it seems reasonable to ascertain that only birds which consume seeds intact, such as doves, require grit in their diet. Birds such as parrots, and even finches and canaries, hull their seeds, therefore not needing the extra aid that grit would provide. In fact, some species of parrots have ridges on the inside portion of their upper beak that is believed to aid in the shelling of seeds. The seed is held in place by the ridges, while the lower beak is used to crack and remove the hull. Birds on a pelleted diet should also not require grit. In the US, the use of grit is generally discouraged, especially if offered freely, which may lead to obstructive gastritis. Although in Australia, grit is commonly given to pet birds, and few problems have been reported. As of the writing of this article, there is no explanation for these interesting geographical differences.

Potential Problems

If given freely, some birds may over-consume grit products, leading to a possibility of impaction. It is also recommended to check the contents of any commercially made and purchased grit mixtures, as some may contain charcoal. Charcoal can affect the absorption of vitamins, resulting in deficiencies.

In conclusion; the benefit of grit for parrots and softbills has not been positively demonstrated. Potential risks have been observed, as well as potential health benefits. If offered at all, we recommend offering it in moderation.

First, decide what you want the cage for. Is it a permanent residence? A travel carrier? Next, consider the size of the bird that will inhabit the cage. If it is a travel cage, you can certainly go smaller then what is the norm. Let’s assume for the sake of this article that the cage is a permanent residence. Rule of thumb is that the cage must be wide enough for the bird to stretch its wings out fully, without getting tangled in the bars. Ideally the cage should also be double the height of the bird. Of course, for a smaller species, this could lead to the conclusion that you can get away with a fairly small cage. This is an untruth. Don’t forget, not only the bird will be in the cage, but multiple perches, toys, a food and water dish, as well as some form of Happy Hut for the bird to roost at night.

Next, consider your budget. Do you have enough to pay full retail price of the cage, or are you looking for something a little cheaper? Lets lay out our options:

Cheapest
- Craigslist is a great resource to search for a gently used cage at a heavily discounted price
- Hoobly is another online source for gentle used, or sometimes even new, cages
- Your local newspaper classifieds
Cheaper
- Superparrots.com
Moderate
- Superparrots.com

If you purchase a gently used cage, be sure to check that the powder coating is in good shape, and disinfect the cage thoroughly with a mild bleach (or other disinfectant) solution before beginning to set it up for its new inhabitant. If the powder coating is not in the greatest shape, you can contact your local motorcycle repair shop and enquire as to the cost of re-powder coating a cage. You may be pleasantly surprised at how economical it is! I’ve heard of people being able to re-coat a cage for fifty dollars or less.

Hit up your local yard sales as well. You may be surprised at what you find! Whatever venue you choose, be patient. You will find the right cage! Happy shopping.