I went to the pet store today and there was two different sorts of calcium bells. Which one is best???

 

Calcium & Charcoal OR Calcium & Iodine

 

I dicided to go with the calcium and Iodine as I wasn't sure about the one with charcoal in it but which one is really the best for budgies.

You picked the right one. Iodine is very important for budgies :hap:

I love this forum for good advice!

Is there any other way for them to get iodine apart from the bells?

Yeap - There are supplement you can use ...

a clump of grass with soil still attched to it ( this is their Wild ways of getting iodine )

also

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....mp;#entry202141

make your own

I give iodine in their drinking water. You need to approach a chemist and ask for AQUEOUS IODINE ........explain its for budgies. Use a 7 drops per litre of water.

I give iodine in their drinking water. You need to approach a chemist and ask for AQUEOUS IODINE ........explain its for budgies. Use a 7 drops per litre of water.

 

 

okay, can you put that in with the Calcivet or not?

I dont myself but there is a matrix which shows what you can and cannot mix on the vetafarm site.

You picked the right one. Iodine is very important for budgies

 

 

KAZ can you explain the importance if iodine for budgies?

 

And is it found naturally in any of the foods they are likely to eat?

You picked the right one. Iodine is very important for budgies

 

 

KAZ can you explain the importance if iodine for budgies?

 

And is it found naturally in any of the foods they are likely to eat?

 

Iodine is important for the thyroid in budgies. Iodine deficiency shows when a bird has a wheezy squeak when breathing.

I am not sure what natural food iodine is in...but here is info on iodine taken from the Dr Rob Marshalls's website http://www.birdhealth.com.au/bird/budgie/feeding.html

 

Trace Elements

The most important trace elements for breeding budgerigars Iodine, Iron, Copper and Zinc.

 

A deficiency of any trace element will decrease breeding performance. Iodine is the most important trace element for breeding. Trace element supplementation is best given in the water or soft food mix during the breeding season.

 

Iodine activates the metabolism of budgerigars and is used to stimulate the aviary into breeding condition, to accelerate the moult of young birds and to "peak" the birds for the show. An audible whistling or squeak indicates iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency tends to be a regional problem. Several reliable iodine supplements (Ioford NF) are available.

Edited August 14, 200817 yr by KAZ

okay so it's the same reasons as humans need it. Can budgies get goitre as well?

I've found the calcium and "charcoal" bells to be just the normal plaster of paris and some bitumen rocks thrown in... :S

I've found the calcium and "charcoal" bells to be just the normal plaster of paris and some bitumen rocks thrown in... :S

 

 

So does it do any good whats so ever??? and does "plaster of paris" mean its bad for them????

cara you did get the more important one as Kaz explained but you can have both in your avairy it doesnt matter if you use both its probebly better to use both i use both personally i find it better but i also feed my birds charcoal on its own or mixed with shel-grit do you feed your birds shel-grit it is as important to feed your birds as the seed is ?

do you feed your birds shel-grit it is as important to feed your birds as the seed is ?

 

 

Shell grit is used for birds that do NOT husk their seeds as an aid in digestion. Budgies do not need it.

do you feed your birds shel-grit it is as important to feed your birds as the seed is ?

 

 

Shell grit is used for birds that do NOT husk their seeds as an aid in digestion. Budgies do not need it.

 

Sorry Joel, I am agreeing with Denise and Most of the forum members on this one, Grit, isn't for BUDGIES - You will find that giving them shell grit can cause them problems in the long run ... There are other things that look like shell grit but it actually a calcium chucky thing - ( can't remember the name it starts with a "C" or a "K" ) ...

Agree Denise. I never feed budgies shell grit and also believe it is not needed.

okay so it's the same reasons as humans need it. Can budgies get goitre as well?

 

YES !!!