Cuttlebone, enough calcium source?

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:37 pm

Fancie Flight wrote:FH did you know you only needed to post that once?? lol Just kidding.

I know I can edit I was being lazy SORRY

Now is when we must agree to disagree, lol what will work for one of us MAY not work for another.

Birds arent stupid and ya cannot force feed them, I offer MANY different things and they pick and choose what they need at that time.

Funny stuff going on here.....

Just like you said, birds know what they want and if my birds want it they eat it. Have been for over 20 years....nuff said??

Post by **Sally** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:53 pm

There will always be disagreement on what to feed our birds--pellets vs seeds, grit or no grit, cuttlebone or no cuttlebone, charcoal or no charcoal. From what I have read, the 'gravel' type grit is the problem--needed by birds that don't hull their seeds, like doves, but not needed by finches. Grit can mean different things--gravel, oyster shell. I personally don't use gravel any more, but I do offer the mix I listed earlier. The charcoal is supposed to 'sweeten' the gut. Does it work? Who knows, but I do it anyway. I notice that in some cages, the charcoal isn't touched, in others, it disappears. I'm assuming that if they need it, they will eat it. I'm always trying out different things. The one constant is that each bird has different likes and dislikes.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:12 pm

well seems we atleast all agree are birds know to eat what they need, lol

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:59 pm

How does that saying go? *Variety Is The Spice Finch Of Life* or something like that. OR is it good friends are *Gouldian*

Z-end!

Or is it Zebra end.....oh somebody stop me!!!

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 7:47 pm

FeatherHarp wrote:How does that saying go? *Variety Is The Spice Finch Of Life* or something like that. OR is it good friends are *Gouldian*

Z-end!

Or is it Zebra end.....oh somebody stop me!!!

STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!!!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:49 pm

Uooooo...I think I got the message!

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:46 am

FH lol Bad bad bad

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:25 pm

Well I thought you were funny FH. Haahah.

Charcoal: Nothing special right? Any good ol' clean(as clean as it can be) will do? And do I just throw a chunk in there? powder it into their seed?

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:05 pm

FF...that was a computer error with the double posting...my computer said my post didn't go through the first time...so I tried again ( I don't double post on purpose!!)

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:48 am

ok FF I believe ya, lol

Lyderbug ya dont use fish charcoal, lol you can buy special biord charcoal, and ya want the stuff thats small ground for finches/ canaries etc.
You can keep a feed. treat bowl full of it as well as sprinkle a small amount on feed.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:50 am

I know there are charcoal grit out there but the one thing that has kept me away from it is the fear that it might asorb or bind up with vitamins that are also consumed.

As for grit causing death it is possible if the finch eats too much at one time. If you don't feed grit regularly and give it once in a while it may over eat/stock up on it causing problem with it's digestive track. I always have grit available and just let the finch decide how much to take. The only grit I use... egg shells.

Chris

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:55 am

I'm starting to think the bird being sick was the biggest problem. I re-introduced some fine grit with added minerals this weekend in a controlled environment and noticed the birds hardly touched it, a peck or 2 here and there. So obviously they know what the need.

I would still remove or limit the grit when a bird is sick given my previous observations with the sick gouldian hen. Too much of anything is never a good thing. That is why I supply a balanced diet.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:56 am

chrischris wrote: The only grit I use... egg shells.

Chris

I hope we all agree on how important egg shells are as a source of calcium, what I'm referring to is the grit obtained from granite or some stone with or without added minerals.

So the important question then is; When providing cuttlebone and egg shells why is it then necessary to feed normal "commercial" grit? Given the possible "dangers" why risk it when a mineral supplement can be provided?

H2015 · Post by **H2015** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:53 pm

I have finger drawers for charcoal and powdered kelp, I refill once a week though to make sure they don't consume too much.

I recently bought this:

It's a vitamin + calcium seed mix enriched with fruit and crushed biscuits. I use it in a separate side cup and they seem to love it.

So now I think if they're not getting enough calcium from the cuttlebone then they have this as well.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:18 pm

H2015 - can you tell us where you bought it from? I'd like to read a little more about the contents.

Thanks!