cuttle bones and mineral blocks

[basketbagley]

Here's a question:

Do Ekkies need to have cuttle bones and mineral blocks in their cages like my little guys do? I never thought about it before?

Do any large birds need them? or do ALL birds need them?

[felisdomesticus]

the rescue recommended both calcium perches and cuttle bones for my girl. The cuttlebones kept falling off the side of the cage and the calcium perches cracked and disintegrated every time I added them to or removed them from the cage each week.

I don't use them anymore. Scarlett gets hardboiled egg-halves WITH SHELL every other day for a week and a half or so each month. She gets yogurt and cottage cheese too regularly. As for minerals, she gets varied veggies and fruits.

The vet said she looks great so I'm not too worried.

[basketbagley]

Originally Posted by felisdomesticus

the rescue recommended both calcium perches and cuttle bones for my girl. The cuttlebones kept falling off the side of the cage and the calcium perches cracked and disintegrated every time I added them to or removed them from the cage each week.

I don't use them anymore. Scarlett gets hardboiled egg-halves WITH SHELL every other day for a week and a half or so each month. She gets yogurt and cottage cheese too regularly. As for minerals, she gets varied veggies and fruits.

The vet said she looks great so I'm not too worried.

Thank you!!!

Mai gets a great diet too, so I'm sure she's fine. Just thougt I'd ask!

[Badger_N]

I was under the impression that dairy products was not good to feed? The minerals and nutrients from it would be beneficial, but they lack the proper enzymes to digest dairy correctly. I have heard of vets doing surgery to remove obstructions. mainly hear this from cheese, and I know many people offer it to their birds, but I wouldn't think that often would be a good idea.

[txbird]

It's the lactose in dairy products parrots don't have the enzymes to digest, and it can pass through causing digestive problems. But many cheeses and cottage cheese have little or no lactose. I give my 3 a few bits of part skim low fat mozzarella every other day or so, which is their one favorite thing they all agree on! Like candy and little kids.