Sand for parrots: what is it for, and which one to choose?

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05/14/2019 Poultry owners sometimes use special sand for their parrots. It is known that other birds actively use it to improve digestion. However, in domestic birds, digestion processes occur somewhat differently. Does your pet need this kind of feeding?

Do parrots need sand?

It has already been said that the digestive process in the body of a parrot occurs differently than in any other bird. When a bird eats food, it begins to digest as it passes from the crop into the stomach. To facilitate this process, gastroliths contained in the sand are needed.

Parrots are somewhat unique in this regard. Food entering the body begins to be digested in the crop. Once in the stomach, it is already partially digested. That is why the parrot does not require any auxiliary supplements; the body can cope with the digestion of food on its own.

However, it should not be ruled out that it will be extremely useful. Why do parrots need sand? To obtain minerals. For example, in natural conditions, these birds often consume clay and soil in order to satisfy the need for minerals and vitamins. A good owner will definitely provide his feathered pet with a similar nutritional supplement.

What to bathe in

There are several options for bathing budgies at home:

• Bird bath.
• Saucer or shallow plate.
• Spray.
• Sink, shower or faucet.
• Lettuce leaves or wet grass.
• Talc.
• Sand.

Bathing suit

A brave or curious parrot can easily be trained to bathe. The main thing is to interest the bird. Let him know that bathing is fun and safe.

How to do this?

• Hang the bathing suit to the cage. We open the door and hang up the bathing suit. She has special hooks for this.
• First we put a small mirror inside.
• We spray the walls of the bathhouse with water. You can pour just a little water at the bottom.
• Does your pet boldly walk inside, see its reflection, and start splashing around? It is done. Give him something tasty for good behavior.

The bird refuses to go into the bathing area. Or it comes in, but as soon as its feet touch the water, it flies back out. In this case, it is more difficult to accustom a parrot to a bath.

• Empty the water from the bath. Wipe it dry.
• Place a treat on the bottom and remove the mirror.
• First, the parrot must get used to being inside the bathing suit. After this has happened, you can spray its walls with water.
• The bath should not be filled with water until the bird is accustomed to the liquid. He should develop an interest in water. Have you noticed that your pet is rubbing itself against wet walls? Now you can safely pour water into the bottom of the bathing suit.

The answer to the question of how to teach a parrot to swim in a bathing suit has been received. A little patience and things will go smoothly.

We recommend reading: Why does a budgie constantly itch?

Spray

Is your pet a coward and categorically refuses to take a bath? In this case, the parrot is washed with a spray bottle.

Fill it with warm water. We spray drops over the cage and observe the bird’s reaction

If your pet is happy to put its feathers under the water, carefully spray it directly on it. Screams and rushes around the cage? Then you need to accustom him to the spray bottle.

Spray water over the cage every day until your pet gets used to the “rain”.

In the wild, a budgerigar bathes in the rain or dew. Therefore, washing with a spray bottle is the most relaxing way.

Fountain or tap

Birds love to watch the murmur of water. This is especially noticeable when there is a fountain in the house. The bird, flying around the room, boldly lands on its edge. And watches the water, imitating its sound. This can be used to bathe your parrot. Dip your fingers in water and spray it on. Does your budgie show interest and try to get into the fountain? This is amazing. Reward your pet with a treat.

How does a parrot wash itself under the tap? If you accustom him to the procedure, it will be very calm. How to do this is described above. The stream of water should be thin and warm. After the parrot has bathed, excess moisture from its feathers is blotted off with a warm towel. You cannot dry the bird with a hairdryer. Your pet can be burned by a stream of hot air.

Which sand to choose

There are different types of feed available in stores. Main types:

1. Inorganic
2. Organic (mineral)

The first one will be absolutely useless for backyard birds, which is why ornithologists do not recommend it - it will only be a waste of money.

Mineral is definitely recommended. As you know, sand is crushed rocks and everything that was present in them. The mineral contains crushed shells, seeds, and mineral-rich rocks. This supplement will have a positive effect on the bird’s health, strengthen its immune system, and help it cope with molting more calmly.

Purchasing a mineral supplement is a true expression of concern for the health of your feathered friend.

What other mineral supplements would be beneficial?

Let's look at a few more popular sources of nutrients for feathered pets.

Sand

Mineral organic sand, which is used to feed exotic birds, is a fine crushed shell rock. This may also include sea shells and corals. Its uniqueness lies in its partial or complete solubility in the bird's stomach. But you shouldn’t give ordinary river sand to a parrot: it is not digested by the digestive system, and it can also get stuck in the bird’s crop and lead to its death.

The organic sand in the feeder needs to be regularly replaced (once every 7 days) with fresh sand, but it is not necessary to follow a specific schedule for feeding the parrot with a mineral supplement. For budgerigars, the feeding rate with sand is 2 teaspoons per individual; larger specimens require a slightly larger dose.

Beginning poultry farmers often confuse fillers intended for cage hygiene and mineral sand as an additive to the main feed. We must be careful and try to avoid such mistakes.

Chalk

Chalk, or limestone, offered on the pet supply market can come in a wide variety of configurations and colors. But only white is preferred, and it should not contain any salt impurities.

This feeding can be given to parrots in two forms:

• whole, attached to rods;
• crushed, added to special mixtures.

Important! Parrot chicks can get a goiter by eating mineral supplements, so feeding them with these products at a young age is extremely dangerous for their health.

Charcoal

Wood, or activated, carbon is an excellent sorbent that reduces high stomach acidity. However, in addition to the fact that it removes waste and toxins from the bird’s body, it also destroys the beneficial substances the parrot needs.

The proportion of charcoal contained in store-bought mineral mixtures does not have a significant effect on the functioning of the bird’s digestive system, which means that you need to add charcoal to the feed yourself under the guidance of a specialist.

Eggshell

Eggshells are also an essential mineral supplement to a bird's basic diet. It should be removed from a fresh egg that has been washed or disinfected in boiling water for 5 minutes. In this case, it is imperative to remove the inner film to avoid its decomposition.

It will be useful for you to know what diseases parrots can have.

Then you need to dry the hard egg shell - first under the influence of indirect sunlight, and then in a hot oven.

It is necessary to serve eggshells to a parrot exclusively in finely crushed form, as an additive to the main food.

It is necessary to grind it so that the bird does not get used to its breaking and in the future does not peck at its own eggs.

Bone flour

Bone meal, a product of processing the bones of domestic animals, is a very useful organic element in the bird's diet. It is a direct source of protein, sulfur, calcium and phosphorus. 3 g of flour per 100 g of mineral or egg mixture is the ideal product consumption rate for a parrot.

Did you know? The heart rate of budgerigars reaches 200 times per minute. By comparison, the human heart beats about 60–80 times every 60 seconds.

The products mentioned in the article can be included in crushed form in standard store-bought mineral mixtures for parrots. In addition to the above components, they include clay, sandstone, corals, oyster shells and seashells. But in any case, additions such as sepia and mineral stone must always be present in the cage. Moreover, the need for mineral supplements in parrots sometimes increases - during the molting period and during reproduction.

How to give sand to a parrot

Like any supplement, it has several specific rules for taking it. The owner must comply with them so that the pet does not have any difficulties with health and further use of the feed.

Rules:

1. You shouldn't give too much sand. It is extremely important to observe moderation. If your pet actively eats the supplement, you need to start worrying and visit a veterinarian. This may indicate the presence of an enzyme deficiency in the body.

Information regarding dosage should be on the packaging. If it is not present, you need to turn to another product.

It should also be noted that the dose increases during the period of molting and reproduction.

1. The purchased additive should be free of dust and contaminants; only larger crushed pieces of shells are acceptable.
2. Feed is poured into a separate feeder once a week. Mixing with food is not prohibited, but it is important to follow the dosage. Before filling, it is better to heat the sand in a frying pan. This is done in order to destroy possible microbes.

The additive is not poured onto the floor of the cage. Sand is not a filler, but an additional food, so it should not be mixed with droppings, scraps of hay and garbage, otherwise its use will have a negative impact on the bird.

What types of cages are there for guinea pigs?

Lattice cage

A lattice cage is a structure consisting of rods - most often iron. This kind of terrarium comes in large and small sizes; it does not allow the guinea pig to leave the cage. It can be used as a portable house for an animal, and in some cases the lattice body is simply removed from the pallet. In pet stores, a regular lattice cage can be bought for less than 3,000 rubles. As for the design of the section itself, its iron rods can withstand the sharp teeth of an animal, and through them you can stroke the rodent and feed it by hand.

Aquarium

Speaking of an aquarium, this is the simplest of all types of terrariums; it contains the bulk of guinea pigs, at least in Russia for sure.. The advantage of such cages is that some of them can be equipped with power elements: light, heating, music and more. Again, like lattice cages, aquariums can come in a variety of sizes; as a rule, they do not have an upper roof.

Dune

Dune is the most economical option for guinea pigs. It's like carrying your guinea pig in a food container.

The next type of terrarium is a dune, the peculiarity of this cage is that its upper part of the lid is plastic sides with a transverse lattice lid. The dune cage often uses plastic guinea pig paraphernalia. Dune is easy to disassemble and assemble; in some ways it resembles a food-grade plastic container. Such a cage costs very little money.

Cages for chinchillas and degus

Finally, cages for chinchillas and degus - these kinds of houses are very roomy, moreover, they are tall, and inside there are ladders with shelves. Almost every such terrarium has a lattice body and a plastic tray. Some livestock breeders prefer to build such houses on their own, using available materials - as a rule, the structure is made of wood or iron. Cages for chinchillas and degus come in such huge sizes, and sometimes even on wheels, that they have to be installed in special places.

Great importance is attached to the tray of a particular cage, mainly plastic is used, but, in an aquarium and some enclosing terrariums, the floor can be glass or wood. The Russian market for manufacturers of pet houses for degus, chinchillas or pigs is not so large in terms of content, but as for world brands, livestock breeders are of particular interest in them.

Warning

It has already been said that sand for budgies serves as a mineral supplement. Its use normalizes the level of essential substances in the body.

It is worth emphasizing that it normalizes. Therefore, it would be a mistake to think that your pet can consume it in any quantity. If a bird is actively interested in eating a mineral supplement, this can only mean one thing - the bird has health problems.

Overeating such food can play a cruel joke and disrupt the enzymatic activity of the body. This will make the bird more lethargic, which the owner will certainly not like.

The main problems that arise when bathing budgies

The problems that most often arise when washing budgies are the following:

It is necessary to carefully protect the bird from colds. Since feathered friends are very sensitive to drafts, they can easily catch a cold even in the summer. Especially if the cage is near an open window. At the first signs of a cold, you need to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe adequate treatment.

Water or detergent getting into the bird's nostrils

In this case, the pet must be carefully turned upside down and held in this position, but no longer than 10 seconds. Some budgies, after bathing, begin to actively scratch their feathers, which is mistaken by bird owners for a disease. But there is no need to worry - this is a natural reaction of birds, this is how they bring their beauty to perfection.

Trust between the owner and the bird, patience and perseverance will help to introduce the pet to water procedures and make them fun for both the pet and his friend - the owner!

Types of sand used for construction

Construction materials are mined from sand or sand-gravel deposits. The conditions of receipt and the method of processing determine the name of the product: reservoir, mountain (quarry or ravine) and artificial. The main documents defining standards of use in construction are GOST 8736-2014 and GOST 8736-93. The most popular types are river sand, quarry sand and washed sand; their use has few restrictions due to their excellent characteristics.

Types of quarry sand:

1. – Alluvial (washed) is the best choice for many construction processes. Concrete mortar, reinforced concrete products, road construction, preparation of building mixtures and compositions. To obtain this type of sand, a large amount of water and drying devices are used. Clay, dust, and debris are washed away by pressure. Thanks to mechanical action, the lumps are broken up. After drying and sifting, a free-flowing mass is formed, characterized by purity and uniformity. The strength of artificial stone or bonding mortar depends on the quality of the components used. Impurities disrupt construction technology and lead to destruction. Therefore, washed quarry material is one of the most expensive and sought-after goods.

1. - Seeded. This is an accessible and inexpensive building material. The only thing cheaper is sand for backfilling, which is delivered to the site without preparatory stages for sale. Sifting removes small and large debris in the form of stones, branches, plant elements, and also breaks up lumps. The process takes place at the extraction site using mechanical devices. For consumers, the cost increases by the amount of effort expended by the development company.

Peculiarities of mountain sand are angularity, variety of sizes, and the presence of impurities. The main determining factors for the use of crushed rock are: a large number of sand quarries in our area, and on the planet as a whole; easy extraction, fast transportation, and as a result, reasonable cost. On the structural side, the quarry formation has the best angularity (adhesion) and cuboidality of all types. This form contributes to the creation of high-strength products, and is a fundamental criterion for selecting sand for concrete compositions.

Types of river construction sand and its application

The method of processing the material involves lifting it from the bottom of the river and drying it. The product is distinguished by its purity and uniformity of composition. Prolonged exposure to water smooths out corners, reduces shape and washes out clay impurities between grains of sand. Therefore, goods of river origin have a lighter, lighter and more uniform composition than those of quarry origin. Like washed mountain sand, it is an ideal type for concrete. The differences lie in size and flakiness. The river one is more crushed and rounded, therefore it practically does not shrink, unlike the angular, cube-shaped quarry one. In addition to concreting, uniformity serves as the basis for obtaining a smooth surface in the production of plaster and masonry mixtures, the production of filler for paints and grouts.

Quartz sand is the purest material produced artificially.

Mechanical crushing of quartz-bearing rocks provides a clean and homogeneous substance. The production price stands out significantly among similar natural products. A distinctive feature is its high angularity and flakiness, which does not have the best effect on strength, but gives the necessary effect in grinding processes. The main scope of application is industry and the production of building materials (facade compositions, sand for plaster, landscape design).

How else can you wash a budgie at home?

Using Wet Grass

This is one of the variations of washing in a bathing suit, but closer to how parrots bathe in their natural habitat. At the bottom of the bath (you can do without it) lettuce leaves are placed, which he can peck, or other grass so that he can rub himself. A minimal amount of water is poured, the main thing is wet leaves. Bathing occurs when the parrot begins to rub on the grass or play with it - this moisturizes the feather cover and cleans it. Wild parrots often clean their feathers on dew on plants, so this process is as natural as possible.

Collection and storage

It is not enough to know which plants are beneficial to the parrot and which will harm the bird. Wild herbs must be collected correctly, and purchased herbs must be stored:

1. Do not pick off grass growing along the roadway or railway tracks; It is better to choose a location on a park lawn, a forest strip, a field or a meadow.
2. Plant leaves should be dense, even in color without spots or darkened edges.
3. It is worth giving preference to young greens: they have a more delicate structure and not as bright a taste as ripe leaves. But it’s better to observe the parrot’s reaction; perhaps a particular bird will have a different opinion.
4. The bird's diet should be varied, so it is better to pick/buy several leaves of five or six herbs than to bring a bunch of one.
5. The greens are washed under running water rather than soaked, so as not to lose beneficial vitamins.
6. The herb should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than five days in a plastic food container. The bundle must first be wrapped in a damp paper towel and sprayed regularly to prevent it from drying out.