getting Loki to chew on cuttlebone

[birdwatcher1]

I got Loki a cuttlebone which is wrapped in a berry flavored mineral block. Loki won't eat it or even chew on it. His beak is slightly overgrown but when he went to the vet we had them clip his nails and they clipped 2 so short they were gushing blood so we decided to keep them away from filing his beak down a tad.

Is there any way we can convince him to try chewing on the cuttlebone/mineral block?

[expressmailtome]

How long ago was this? It may take time for curiousity to kick in. Have you tried wooden toys for him to chew? They might help as well.

Matt

[birdwatcher1]

well we just added the cuttlebone last weekend. We do have a couple toys with wood but he really isn't playing with his toys. When he comes out he just wants to be with us not play. We have toys in his cage but he's only in there for bed and when we're not home and we're usually always home.

I just don't want to take him back to the vet we first took him to and I don't want to take him into another vet right away either I figured the one visit was very stressful enough to him and we don't have to put him through stress right away again.

[Brigette]

We have a new Quaker who is doing the same thing! He won't touch his toys or his cuddle bone. I also got the flavored one!

[chapala]

I would find another place to have nails trimmed. Gushing blood, especially on more than one nail, is not good, plus it's painful to the bird when the quick is cut into. Good call on not having the beak trimmed there.

A concrete "pedicure" perch can help with nails. I like the ones that are smooth on the top (more comfortable for the bird's feet) and rough on the sides where the nails touch. Many birds also wipe their beaks on a concrete perch. That plus wood toys - if he doesn't chew, try starting with toys that are for smaller birds than he is, and also shredding type toys to get him in the mood to use that beak.

[Indymagoo]

Our local bird store uses a cordless scalple that simply cauterizes the nail as it cut it. So fast and painless it's wonderful. My Quaker also could care less about the cuttlebone. Never touched it. She keeps her beak perfect on her stone perch, but I'm not sure about her calcium intake. Isn't there plenty in the pelleted foods?