Try to bear with me, because I'm still learning about budgies. I've kept them for a long time, but there are A LOT of things I never read up on, or paid attention to until recently.

 

We all know cuttle bones are a good source of calcium, but does the budgie get the calcium by actively eating the bones, or does it just happen more or less by accident? The reason I'm asking is because my budgie hen loves cuttle bones, but she seems to merely enjoy having something to tear up. She vigorously gnaws at them, and tosses the bits and chunks on the cage floor; I've never actually seen her ingest any.

Edited January 28, 200718 yr by mirror saw

NO question is ever stupid, that is why this forum exists. Some of my budgies love to tear up their cuttle bone as well so we can hope they are ingesting the calcium they need. Certain vegetables also contain calcium and you can get vitamin preparations to add to their water (which I use) to ensure they are getting the calcium they need especially if they are in the process of laying eggs.

She would be getting some on her beak and tongue while she happily destroys it. If she is ripping it apart too fast you could try a calcium bell they seem to take longer to chew.

One of our members once suggested hanging the cuttlebone over their food dish so the tiny bits end up in the food and they take it in when they eat their seed and or fruit and vegies.

Or grate it over their food.

Edited January 28, 200718 yr by Bubbles

Thanks, everyone

 

I had placed the cuttlebone near the food bowl this time so they can get at it more conveniently. Bits of cuttle bone do fall in the food bowl, but I think they bypass it. I think I'll give the calcium bell a try. That way, the hen can enjoy herself with something more challenging to tear up, and maybe it will be a little more nutritious for her.

Yeah bells are great. One of my budgies completely ignores cuttlefish but absolutely loves the bells she sits there and gnaws away makes me happy to know she is getting what she needs