Budgies do not need gravel or grit because they remove the outer hull of the seed before ingesting the kernel. ... However, now we know that only birds like pigeons and doves that consume seeds whole, without removing the outer hull, need gravel to help them digest.

Do you need grit for budgies?

We now know that budgies do not usually need grit. This was historically recommended to help them grind their food but budgies can actually easily digest the ingredients in modern budgie pellets. Too much grit can cause more harm than good, so avoid it unless it's been specifically recommended for your bird.

Why do budgies need shell grit?

The wild budgerigar forages the dirt and river edges in search of minerals and trace elements. Shell grit provides the budgerigar with a source of digestive stones and contains calcium, but is a poor source of mineral salts and trace elements. Cuttlefish Bone is a source of calcium, but is lacking in other minerals.