Oyster shell

[Mynard]

I was thinking of buying this type of Oyster shell

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... d=11147389

My question is how should i give it to my birds:is it ok to add this to my eggfood or should i give it separatly?
and how should i offer it to my non breeding birds? or should i just leave it and not mess with a good thing lol
Thanks for any help

[Ursula]

I buy this type of oystershell and have it available in the aviary in a shallow dish on the floor. Mostly for the buttons and budgies... I don't know whether the finches care for it much, my guess is that the pieces are too big for them. They seem to prefer the crushed egg shells that I have available also. The size might be ok for the javas, but I don't know that of course, since I don't have experience with javas.

[Mynard]

Maybe ill stick with using my eggfood and the cuddle bones then-i thought they might be missing out but i give them a good varied diet so i guess its safe to say im over paranoide lol

[B CAMP]

I have a D-cup in each cage of this and the finches all eat it
http://www.glamgouldians.com/product-mineralgrit.php

[debbie276]

I also offer oyster shells in a dish with sea salt and charcoal added. My finches don't use the cuttle bone at all, never have. I also give them the egg shell from any eggs we use which they like the best.

[Mynard]

so to use it id probally grind it down a bit (depending on size) and serve it by itself?
i was curious about it because i was debating on putting the oyster shell in with the eggfood for extra calcium or if i should just keep grinding cuttle bone
theyre getting all other vits so their not lacking,was just looking to `top up`

[debbie276]

I would put it in a dish in their cage so if they need it it's there at all times. You could make a dish of oyster shells and cuttle bone mixed then they get the best of both worlds.

[Sally]

I wouldn't put it in their eggfood--whatever they don't eat would be wasted. I offer my mineral mix in cups like D cups, and it just stays in the cage till it needs refreshing. If that particular brand of oyster shell is too big, you can grind it down smaller.

[6finchfriends]

I was also confused about calcium, minerals, charcoal So this is what I got and all my birds love it. I highly recommend it.
http://friskyfinches.com/premium%20oyst ... %20mix.htm

There's no waste and it's only 4.99 for a 3# bag that will last at least a year if not more. Even with shipping it's a great deal and now I don't have to worry about them getting what they need. Yay

[Mynard]

awesome! i have a few things to go on here so that makes me happy
Thanks for all the help...you guys Rock!