Mineral block and rock

Shine

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Nov 3, 2016
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Northern Nevada
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Fidget - BFA, Addy - Red Lored
Charlie, my new BFA came to me with a mineral block and a rock attached to his cage. I never saw him touch the mineral block but I did see him rubbing his beak on the rock. It doesnt look like a special rock, just like a normal rock. I've not heard of these for Amazons so am wondering if its ok for him to have them.

He got a new cage and I havent put them back in his cage and am wondering if I should?

900f7c962f2769004f716c1fce4b6aac.jpg
 
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Owlet

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Oct 27, 2016
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Colorado
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Lincoln (Eclectus), Apollo (Cockatiel), Aster (GCC)
I can see the rock being useful in managing beak length but beyond that I don't really know
 

Juan_Ri

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Feb 2, 2017
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Puerto Rico
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Yellow Nape Amazons
My YNA have them, they don’t use it a lot but when I gave them mangos or any similar fruit they clean their peak with it.


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Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Loos like Manu clay to me. New world parrots native to the amazon basin eat the clay in nature. We give to our BFA and he eats it regularly. Takes about 3 or so months to get through a block. Interestingly, he won't touch other mineral blocks. As for the rock- no reason not to let him have it. Our BFA rubs his beak on his cement perch, but a rock works too.
 
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Shine

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Nov 3, 2016
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Thank you! I put them back in his cage. I've never heard of Manu clay, will have to look it up and see if I can find more for when this one runs out!
 

Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
9,539
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Thank you! I put them back in his cage. I've never heard of Manu clay, will have to look it up and see if I can find more for when this one runs out!

We're fortunate our local bird store sells it, but you can also find it online. It looks like a big rock, not formed into any special shape like other mineral blocks.

Most people have seen these photos before of new world parrots like macaws, amazons, conures, pionus etc... in nature eating clay:

macaw-clay-lick-amazon-tours.jpg


Just an FYI though, I'm not sure if this type of clay is appropriate for old world parrot species like parakeets, cockatoos or African grays etc... They don't eat anything similar in nature to my knowledge.
 
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DiscoDuck

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Jun 9, 2012
405
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Wilmington DE - Landenberg PA
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Rudy - Hybrid Ruby Macaw Born 6/6/15 Scarlet Mother/Green Wing Father - Oliver BFA RIP 3/15/15 @ 34yo. Without you, I would not have Rudy. Thank you!
Thank you! I put them back in his cage. I've never heard of Manu clay, will have to look it up and see if I can find more for when this one runs out!

We're fortunate our local bird store sells it, but you can also find it online. It looks like a big rock, not formed into any special shape like other mineral blocks.

Most people have seen these photos before of new world parrots like macaws, amazons, conures, pionus etc... in nature eating clay:

macaw-clay-lick-amazon-tours.jpg


Just an FYI though, I'm not sure if this type of clay is appropriate for old world parrot species like parakeets, cockatoos or African grays etc... They don't eat anything similar in nature to my knowledge.

Ah yep.. Thats the GWM! BTW they flock with the B&G. that type of clay in the Amazon is what is commonly called Kaolin Clay.. In is a mineral rich type of sediment commonly infused with salt! Now with that said... I am sure that each Parrot has heredity characteristics to items that it may adapt to well or not.. I believe, If i remember right, that Parrots have a gizzard. Now whether they enrich there diet with rocks, dirt, minerals etc.. I am sure is more specific to the individual parrot and what they eat in the wild..

Rudy, will eat just about anything, the only thing I have never given him is avacado and I dont plan on trying however... I don't freak out if he eats part of my chocolate candy bar or drinks my coffee or mountain dew, i don't think he should only have saltless nuts and it is quite ok for him to drink river and pond water, eat snow or drink from a fountain probably full of chlorine, flourine. lead, iron, copper..... I digress.... sorry....

The above is specific to my buddy, Rudy...

discoduck-albums-rudy-brandywine-picture19728-rudy-eating-snow-3-24-18.jpg
 

DiscoDuck

Banned
Banned
Jun 9, 2012
405
Media
2
7
Wilmington DE - Landenberg PA
Parrots
Rudy - Hybrid Ruby Macaw Born 6/6/15 Scarlet Mother/Green Wing Father - Oliver BFA RIP 3/15/15 @ 34yo. Without you, I would not have Rudy. Thank you!
macaw-clay-lick-amazon-tours.jpg



Oh wait!!!! that is an amazing photo.. Are those Scarlets and GWMs in the same flock? I'm confused.
 
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Shine

Member
Nov 3, 2016
261
24
Northern Nevada
Parrots
Fidget - BFA, Addy - Red Lored
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Thank you! I put them back in his cage. I've never heard of Manu clay, will have to look it up and see if I can find more for when this one runs out!

We're fortunate our local bird store sells it, but you can also find it online. It looks like a big rock, not formed into any special shape like other mineral blocks.

Most people have seen these photos before of new world parrots like macaws, amazons, conures, pionus etc... in nature eating clay:

macaw-clay-lick-amazon-tours.jpg


Just an FYI though, I'm not sure if this type of clay is appropriate for old world parrot species like parakeets, cockatoos or African grays etc... They don't eat anything similar in nature to my knowledge.

I have never seen that. Its a beautiful picture! I'll have to research it more when the one he has disappears. Since I put it back I havent seen him touch either one. I'm sure he will eventually though.
 

DiscoDuck

Banned
Banned
Jun 9, 2012
405
Media
2
7
Wilmington DE - Landenberg PA
Parrots
Rudy - Hybrid Ruby Macaw Born 6/6/15 Scarlet Mother/Green Wing Father - Oliver BFA RIP 3/15/15 @ 34yo. Without you, I would not have Rudy. Thank you!
macaw-clay-lick-amazon-tours.jpg



Oh wait!!!! that is an amazing photo.. Are those Scarlets and GWMs in the same flock? I'm confused.




duh... photoshopped.... hmmm that is probably a flock of scarlets. It appears the Greenwings were added in?
 

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