Calcium for a picky female Conure

LoveMyConlan · Nov 9, 2017

How do you get extra calcium to a picky eater?

My female Conure are 2-3 years old. The one is constantly trying to nest, she'll be 3 years old this month, Conlan.

I dont give them nests or material but I've heard they can still lay eggs.

I'm just worried about egg binding or calcium deficiency.

Conlan will eat Lafebers pellets with her food... Mira and Mouse don't eat them.. Won't touch them.

I've tried putting my Prime supplement on their food, they don't like the sweet smell I think. Mouse LOVES it though.

None of my guys chew on cuddle bones.

What else can I do to keep the calcium up for these girls?

My Macaw boy gets Prime and Zupreem pellets so the vet said he's good.

I'm just worried about my girls

Notdumasilook · Nov 9, 2017

Far from an expert here, but my understanding is they need D-3 along with the calcium to be able to utilize it.... and phosphorus too. But before adding a mess of supplements to a birds diet I'd suggest asking a vet... especially if they avoid a healthy pelleted diet. Sunshine is the best source of D3, but most of my birds get little to none.

Aquila · Nov 9, 2017

Do you think they would eat birdie bread? I usually mix a powdered calcium supplement in when I make it, which also contains D3, and also throw in veggies like spinach and some seeds. It's usually gone over well with even the most picky eaters. You can grind up a little bone as well instead of the calcium powder, but it generally doesn't have enough so I'd include egg shells as well, and then a source of Vitamin D.

LoveMyConlan · Nov 9, 2017

Never tried birdy bread! Is there a good recipe or a brand you'd recommend?

psychocircus91 · Nov 9, 2017

Have you tried roudybush pellets?

LoveMyConlan · Nov 9, 2017

psychocircus91 said:
Have you tried roudybush pellets?

That I have not. Conlan was raised from her hand raiser on Lafebers, and she actually eats them. The others were all reared onto seed diets and turn their noses at pellets lol

Aquila · Nov 10, 2017

A cheap way would be to use Jiffy corn muffin mix, which I use when it's on sale, or pick up a bag or can of corn meal and make any basic cornbread recipe, omitting sugar, though I'll use a little honey or maple syrup sometimes, less than what is called for most of the time. I usually add an extra egg or two depending on why I'm making it, if I'm just making a treat or if I'm feeding a sick bird, etc. From there you can do whatever you like, it's really idiot proof! Basic pumpkin or zucchini bread recipes are great options as well, even maybe a carrot cake, making the same adjustments for sugar.

plumsmum2005 · Nov 10, 2017

Nutrobal for birds

Here is one product I have heard about. I would not mix supplements though. Do your research and if happy good luck.

Notdumasilook · Nov 10, 2017

IF you get some supplements to give your critters you need something to combine it with. Ive found that mixing meds or supplements with natural almond butter (not peanut butter) and making them lil birdie sandwiches with whole grain bread works well. Another treat my critters seem to love is Harrisons Power Treats. It is a slightly sweet treat loaded with goodies that birdies need. I would cut them in half and offer to smaller birds, whole pieces to larger birds.

clark_conure · Nov 10, 2017

Conures need calcium for a strong hardy beak.

At the store, buy the orange juice fortified with Calcium and vitamin D. He'll go nuts for it.

Also the occasional milk, cheese, should be ok, let him try a bit and see if he has any reaction or a bad stool. If he does discontinue, but clark gets a bit of cheese here and there and about once a week or so he gulps down some milk and he loves it, wit no ill effects....just good effects like a nice pretty beak.

Some say no milk but then people come on saying "I give it to them" so it's an issue that's still up for debate it seems. But when clark drinks it he makes those little chirpy-chirp I love noises.

itzjbean · Nov 10, 2017

Try scraping the cuttlebone into the food dish! I've seen many do this before with birds who don't like chewing on the cuttle bones. You could also make bird bread and scrape some in there too. Most birds love the stuff.

Notdumasilook · Nov 10, 2017

clark_conure said:
Conures need calcium for a strong hardy beak.

At the store, buy the orange juice fortified with Calcium and vitamin D. He'll go nuts for it.

Also the occasional milk, cheese, should be ok, let him try a bit and see if he has any reaction or a bad stool. If he does discontinue, but clark gets a bit of cheese here and there and about once a week or so he gulps down some milk and he loves it, wit no ill effects....just good effects like a nice pretty beak.

Some say no milk but then people come on saying "I give it to them" so it's an issue that's still up for debate it seems. But when clark drinks it he makes those little chirpy-chirp I love noises.

My avian specialist vet, who is AWESOME by the way.... told me that they just cant digest milk products that still have the lactose... but it not harmful in itself. So if Cookie wants a lick of ice cream its ok. Im not sure if cheese loses the lactose when its made. But I have noted its recommended as part of the birdie diets in a lot I have read.

clark_conure · Nov 10, 2017

I heard all the lactose stuff but my bird never got a tummy ache, or had a bad poop from it. I'd have to imagine there is more lactose in the cheese since milk is like 95% water anyways, then 2% fat, and the rest nutrients and a bit of lactose. All I can claim is my bird loves it, and has no ill effects as far as I can tell, behavior wise or stool. and he makes the OMG I love you chirps when he gets a weekly drink. I cannot say this is universal which is why I say perhaps offer it once, try it out, but be wary.

Notdumasilook · Nov 10, 2017

Actually just read that most of the lactose is destroyed in the cheese making process, so indeed cheese is a good source of calcium they can probably digest.

plumsmum2005 · Nov 11, 2017

Notdumasilook said:
clark_conure said:

Conures need calcium for a strong hardy beak.

At the store, buy the orange juice fortified with Calcium and vitamin D. He'll go nuts for it.

Also the occasional milk, cheese, should be ok, let him try a bit and see if he has any reaction or a bad stool. If he does discontinue, but clark gets a bit of cheese here and there and about once a week or so he gulps down some milk and he loves it, wit no ill effects....just good effects like a nice pretty beak.

Some say no milk but then people come on saying "I give it to them" so it's an issue that's still up for debate it seems. But when clark drinks it he makes those little chirpy-chirp I love noises.

Click to expand...

My avian specialist vet, who is AWESOME by the way.... told me that they just cant digest milk products that still have the lactose... but it not harmful in itself. So if Cookie wants a lick of ice cream its ok. Im not sure if cheese loses the lactose when its made. But I have noted its recommended as part of the birdie diets in a lot I have read.

My AV says cottage cheese is OK. Keep on researching re the cheese thing, there is stuff out there that says 'NO' for parrots

Calcium for a picky female Conure

LoveMyConlan

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