FINCHforum

Answer to subject question? I've wondered if the mineral/grit/calcium/oyster shell mixture we give our birds get stale. Should it be replaced regularly? I just add more when I see it's gone down a bit.

finchandlovebird I never thought about it. but when we do our weekly food and cage clean, I empty out thr mineral grit and egg shells and put new ones in.

I usually replace mine weekly, but that's because it gets soiled. When I was using my hooded treat cups, I replaced it a lot less... maybe every 2 weeks. I don't think it loses anything (nutritional value) being out.

I never replaced it on a regular basis, just when it either got low or soiled. I don't think it can go bad.

finchandlovebird

I can't see it going bad, since there is nothing in there that can spoil. I scatter mine on the botthom of flights/cages, and they go after it like little chickens. It gets dumped out with the papers when I clean.

~Elana~

I too only dump it when the cup gets dirty (pooped in) or if a particularly enthusiastic finch manages to splash a neighbors dish while bathing.

I do not think the mineral mix, or calcium can spoil.

I replace the grit in the breeding cages at least once a week. In the flight cage twice a week since they eat all up at a faster rate.