are parakeets supposed to eat their own poop?

Question

My parakeet does this occasionally. I have been stopping her, but she does it naturally and she has real food readily available. Is this normal, or should I stop her

Answer 1

They do this occasioanlly to restore the balance of bacteria in their gut. Just like dogs and cats eat grass.

Normal so dont worry.

Answer 2

It's called coprophagia. The reasons why birds eat their own feces is controversial, but can be caused by nutritional deficiencies (calcium a big one), environmental factors (stress), psychological problems (boredom) or a pathology. Any bird eating droppings should have a complete medical evaluation. There are meds available that an avian vet can prescribe if he/she deems it appropriate based on a medical evaluation. Often times, the problem can be resolved with a diet change to a more healthier, nutritional diet.



I've never heard of this disorder being the result of parasites. A bird could acquire parasites from eating poop of another bird with a parasite problem, but this isn't a reason why a bird would exhibit this behavior.

Answer 3

till you are able to take your parakeet to a vet, only determine you have parakeet seed, sparkling water, gravel and grit and a cuttle bone, save the cage sparkling and characteristic endurance!! solid luck!

Answer 4

Yes stop her! There is bacteria in her poop. Does she eat her own poop in her cage? Or when you let her out? If she eats it in her cage then just clean her cage often or put the poop somewhere in her cage where she can't touch it. Try to feed her something new other then seeds so she will stop eating her poop. Just be sure never to feed these things to your pet bird:



http://www.helium.com/items/1223851-what-not-to-feed-to-your-pet-bird





**GOOD LUCK**

Answer 5

It is perfectly OK. Think of it like this if you are still unsure:

She ate.....I don't know seed. If you think it is unhealthy, you are still saying her food is unhealthy for it is JUST digested food!



Also, my parakeets do that too..... kind of yucky though.

Answer 6

she isn't eating. she's just cleaning up after it's self. my parakeets do that to!

Answer 7

yes it will be un normal if they did not