For the last few days I have come home to HUGE piles of cuttlebone on the floor. Previously I hardly saw a budgie touch the stuff, and now this? In just observing them for a second this morning, I'm assuming that it is Puddin and Daffodil, some of my older hens (but still under a year), but really it could be any of them. What could be up? Is it a deficiency? These guys get tons of mixed gourmet seed, veggies, fresh water, etc. Is it destuctive behaviour? Just curious. Everyone is acting fine and looks healthy.

Personally I think it is a habit and I bet it is the females going nuts and chewing?!? Pretty really goes to town on his when he gets really excited (usually when the cats are around ). I could be wrong, but that is my opinion

Well it is actually Star! She has been going bananas on the thing for awhile now. It is actually funny. Its like she is trying to destroy it. Funny thing though, she is also starting to crawl into the food cups. Is she possibly preparing for breeding? I'm not putting a nesting box in so there is nothing other than mother nature to tempt them. It is spring here now though. I'm off today so I'll have lots of opportunity to watch the goings on.

Now that you said all that yes she is probably going into breeding condition, and is getting ready. Just keep an eye on her and watch your males - I believe Terri had to separate her males and females for a time because they were getting too close.

hi shawna, my hen dos the same thing she will sit there and just destroy the cuttle bone, she will also do it to those seed treats which are stuck to a stick, she will sit there and cut a line all the way around it, then just strip it down till theres only the stick left. not even eat it.

Yep, my budgies go nuts on the cuttlebone too. Just tearing chunks out of it and throwing it away!! so funny to watch.

Yeah That sound a bit like nesting behaviour the hen like to chew bark and such in the wild the only thing they have in the cage is a cuttle bone or food treats (mine did that too Kender) Becuase it's spring your way that is the high point for hormones. It's no worry that they are stripping the cuttle bone just watch the male and female interaction. Even if they don't try to mate you might see some bonding to give you an idea who to match with who.

The males are definately doing a lot more bobbing around - especially Sylvester and Tazzy. I've seen some feeding going on but it is usually the males feeding each other. I'm sure it is a bit of 'spring fever' but hopefully it doesn't lead to mating. If necessary I can but the divider in and have males on one side and females on the other.