Appropriate for calcium intake?

[HeadlessH00ligan]

hello!
so, my one conure is a mama, and has laid many eggs, and i want to make sure she gets enough calcium.
yesterday, my dad bought this calcium grit…but im not sure if its good for my girl. i know parrots don’t really need grit because they’re very good at breaking down stuff with their beaks..
any thoughts?

 

[LaManuka]

hello!
so, my one conure is a mama, and has laid many eggs, and i want to make sure she gets enough calcium.
yesterday, my dad bought this calcium grit…but im not sure if its good for my girl. i know parrots don’t really need grit because they’re very good at breaking down stuff with their beaks..
any thoughts?

I think you're probably better off using a cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium. If neither your rooster or your hen like the idea of chewing on a cuttlebone you could always try scraping some of it into their food, and if your hen is being fed by your rooster she will get some calcium that way too.

Also, it may be worth considering slowing your hen down from laying too many eggs. If you're breeding and raising the babies that's one thing but if not, constantly laying eggs is not ideal. You can get some great dummy eggs from www.dummyeggs.com to help her to work off her maternal yearnings more safely.

 

[wrench13]

I give my male 'zon finely crushed egg shells a few times a year, when he is molting. Parrots dont need grit and may not even be able to process foods with grit in them.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Cleaned egg shells probably the best bet these days. Cuttlebones just aren't what they used to be.

I have also heard things about grit causing crop impaction but idk about that personally.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

I think you're probably better off using a cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium. If neither your rooster or your hen like the idea of chewing on a cuttlebone you could always try scraping some of it into their food, and if your hen is being fed by your rooster she will get some calcium that way too.

Also, it may be worth considering slowing your hen down from laying too many eggs. If you're breeding and raising the babies that's one thing but if not, constantly laying eggs is not ideal. You can get some great dummy eggs from www.dummyeggs.com to help her to work off her maternal yearnings more safely.

thank you so much

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

I give my male 'zon finely crushed egg shells a few times a year, when he is molting. Parrots dont need grit and may not even be able to process foods with grit in them.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

i figured!! thank you

 

[onamom]

Just here to say she is adorable!

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

Just here to say she is adorable!

thank you!!! she’s a derpy girl

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

The advice you got from the other members is spot on. When my brats lay eggs, I have a powdered calcium product that I sprinkle on their wet food. I usually kept it for my breeders when I used to breed cockatiels and green cheek conures, and found the stuff helpful. However, just using cuttlebone works. Scrape some off and store any excess in the freezer.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I've heard horrible stories about parrots eating too much grit and having their digestive system plugged up with it.
I have to wonder why a bird would eat that much grit but I take no chances and don't give any to my budgies. I wish they didn't even sell/ promote grit for parrot type birds because many new bird owners are misled into thinking its necessary.

I like to use Calcivet liquid calcium supplement. If you ever have an egg binding emergency it can be administered straight directly into the bird's mouth to raise its blood calcium quickly and help her to lay a egg that's stuck.

 

[bug_n_flock]

When I worked at the parrot shop my boss had a big issue with calcium sand as a lizard bedding especially for leopard geckos. Apparently they get stopped up too if they eat sand or anything like that, and she said that the calcium sand in particular encouraged them to eat it, so I wonder if it's similar to why birds would eat too much of it? Just a guess tho. I bet it tastes chalky, mildly salty-ish, and probably feels cool on the tongue. Lol I'm weird to imagine it sure, but I can see why it would have appeal hahaha even I think I'm weird on this one