You are here:

Birds--General/lovebird chews sand sheets.

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/10/2008


Question
my lovebird has only just started to chew his sand sheets.he has grit in his cage as well as a shallow bowl of special sand with grit in it which i brought from the range which is for this type of bird.but he still chews his sands sheets and i dont know why.

Answer
Hi, Joanna,

Parrots, including lovies, DO NOT require grit, sand, or the like.  In fact, grit, sand, etc., can become impacted in the bird's crop and require surgical intervention in order to fix.  Sometimes this problem cannot be fixed and could result in a bird's death.  

Birds (parrots) who hull their seed and eat the soft inside "meat" do not require grit/sand.  Birds, such as pigeons, doves, etc., who eat their grains whole require grit/sand/etc., in order to help them "digest" the seed/grain hull.  

I recommend removing any grit, sand, other from your bird's cage and diet completely.

Chrys

Birds--General

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.