FINCHforum

I have a diet question, I provide the following for my Zebra pair and the three hatching chicks:

~Eggfood am and pm (sprinkled with 'Ultimate Avian Formula' made by "The Missing Link by Designing Health Inc")
~fresh greens (broccoli, spinach, green peppers, fruit etc) I change it up daily am and pm
~ground eggshell all the time
~two types of finch food seed mix at all times
~water at all times
~cuttlefish bone at all times

The bathe everyday and I open the curtains for as much natural light everyday. (I live in Vermont and it is winter so sunshine is not always present)

My question is: In the last three days I have noticed the cuttlefish bone is being devoured. Sometimes they come out just for it. I put a new one in yesterday as the first one is almost gone.
I am concerned they are missing something in the diet I feed them. I have read tons of conflicting opinions on the internet about grit and calcium supplement.

I trust you people and appreciate any and all advise/suggestions.

Thanks!

My zebras destroy a cuttlebone as fast as my parakeets do, faster, sometimes. They just like working at it. Sometimes, at night when the cage is covered and all is quiet, I hear someone scratching away at it.

My societies and spices almost never touch it. (different cage, same diet.)

In the parakeet (budgie) cage, certain birds will see a new cuttlebone, and just go at it non-stop until it is down to the last shell, while others never seem to go near it.

I'm sure some birds need more then others depending on how their body absorbs and metabolizes what they take in.

Thanks for the responses. You are awesome

I should specify the question: concerned about nutrients... what is the cuddlefish bone supplying and does anyone think I need to add grit or anything at all?

Sorry

Cuttlebone is a good source of calcium. You could add other sources like egg shell and/or oyster shells but I wouldn't add "grit" as in small stones.

ok great. whew I am assuming I have enough of what they need

By the looks of what you posted above it looks like you've got it all covered.

I will try to lay this diet question to rest.. I now can only trust God that everything will be ok...

thanks again every one is great and so helpful

I find that my hens (javas and canaries) will often devour a cuttlebone (that's been sitting untouched for weeks) just prior to and shortly after egglaying. Regardless of the other calcium suppliments that I also provide. Bob