carrienh
New member
Just wondering what is the best brand of calcium additive to use for my cag
Calcium additive
- Thread starter carrienh
- Start date
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- calcium supplements
- May 23, 2018
- 3,559
- 158
- Parrots
- Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Anything that is NOT put in the water obviously. 
Does your CAG really *need* suplements?
A simple bloodtest will show you.
They ( as a group) usually have low calcium- issues, but you can also overdo it- and high calcium gives another host of nasty (and sometimes lethal) symptoms.
simple biology/ self healing:
Make sure the bird can generate it own vit D. by getting sunlight.
Vit D is necessery for absorbtion of calcium (from food) in the blood.
Feed a lot of dark green leafy vegs, maybe offer some extra source like cuttlebone or a (boiled) eggshell.
Just let the bird choose how much it wants/needs to ingest.
(do not ever forcefeed them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)
.
Does your CAG really *need* suplements?
A simple bloodtest will show you.
They ( as a group) usually have low calcium- issues, but you can also overdo it- and high calcium gives another host of nasty (and sometimes lethal) symptoms.
simple biology/ self healing:
Make sure the bird can generate it own vit D. by getting sunlight.
Vit D is necessery for absorbtion of calcium (from food) in the blood.
Feed a lot of dark green leafy vegs, maybe offer some extra source like cuttlebone or a (boiled) eggshell.
Just let the bird choose how much it wants/needs to ingest.
(do not ever forcefeed them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)
.
Last edited:
So very well stated above: "(do not ever force feed [provide] them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)"
Standard, old fashion, white TUMS, ground fine and just a little added to dry food provided.
REPEAT: "(do not ever force feed [provide] them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)"
Standard, old fashion, white TUMS, ground fine and just a little added to dry food provided.
REPEAT: "(do not ever force feed [provide] them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)"
Calcium is linked with Vit D , so exposure to real sun , filtered shade with you right next to cage at all times when outside helps askrb calcium. I agree no supliments, just offer the boiled egg shells, and mineral blocks and leafy greens and let them choose what they need.
LordTriggs
New member
one thing I have heard of doing before (someone correct me if this isn't good to do) but an option is to get a cuttlefish and scrap it with a knife over a main meal to make sure there's some calcium going in (bit cheaper than buying those calcium powders and more 'natural')
EllenD
New member
- Aug 20, 2016
- 3,979
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- Senegal Parrot named "Kane"; Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure named "Bowie"; Blue Quaker Parrot named "Lita Ford"; Cockatiel named "Duff"; 8 American/English Budgie Hybrids; Ringneck Dove named "Dylan"
Just to make a point here, natural sunlight doesn't provide Vitamin D to the body, it ACTIVATES the Vitamin D that is already in the body (specifically Vitamin D3)...That's why most Calcium supplements for animals/birds also include added Vitamin D3, so that then the Vitamin D3 can be activated by the UVB light in natural sunlight. And then the activated Vitamin D3 allows the body to be able to absorb and use the Calcium.
All living creatures need Calcium because basically every body function/action/process requires Calcium to happen, right down to the cellular level. However, there are certain animals that actually need to be given an added, artificial source of Calcium and Vitamin D3 when they're kept in captivity and not in their natural environment, because their diets in captivity do not contain enough Calcium or Vitamin D3 to allow them to absorbe and use the Calcium they are getting...Most of these animals are Reptiles and Amphibians, and does not usually include birds.
The only time you want to give your bird an actual Calcium "supplement", as opposed to simply providing them with both a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block, is if they are diagnosed with a Calcium Deficiency through blood-work. And this goes for female birds that you're breeding as well; female birds need extra Calcium if they are making/laying eggs and feeding baby chicks, but not from a Calcium supplement, simply adding a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block to their cage at all times is more than enough Calcium and Vitamin D3 to allow their bodies to use the Calcium, when given in-conjunction with their regular daily Avian diet of a healthy, low-fat, high-protein Avian pellet or seed-mix combined with a serving of fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens each day as well.
So unless your specific bird actually had blood-work done and your Avian Vet diagnosed him/her with a Calcium and/or Vitamin D Deficiency, then you shouldn't be giving him/her any type of Calcium supplement at all, you just need to make sure they always have access to a Cuttlebone and a Mineral Block made for birds, along with feeding them a healthy Avian diet that is supplemented with fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens, which are very high in Calcium and Vitamin D3...If you give a bird an actual Calcium supplement in addition to their regular staple-diet of pellets/seed-mix, their fresh veggies and dark, leafy greens, and a Cuttlebone and Mineral Block, when they don't actually have a health/medical issue that is causing a Calcium Deficiency, you are likely going to cause your bird to develop a Calcium TOXICITY, which will cause all kinds of serious health conditions including everything from chronic Bladder/Kidney Stones to hardening of the Blood-Vessels in the Kidneys to actual Kidney Disease, along with many Neurological conditions that are caused by an excess of Calcium being absorbed by the body.
***So the bottom-line is that even if you're planning on breeding your female bird(s), none of them should be given nor do they need an extra Calcium/Vitamin D3 supplement. Instead, simply make sure that they always have access to both a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block, and make sure that they are getting a large portion of fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens each day in addition to their regular daily staple-diet of either a high-quality, low-sugar, "Natural" Avian Pellet or a low-fat, high-protein, varied Avian Seed-Mix. And if you're actually concerned that your birds do have a Calcium-Deficiency (they shouldn't unless they are suffering from other health issues/conditions that would cause it), then you certainly do not want to just start giving them a daily Calcium Supplement; you need to instead take them to either a Certified Avian Vet or Avian Specialist Vet, voice your concern to the Vet, and have them run full Blood-Work to determine whether they actually do have an issue. And if they did have a Calcium-Deficiency, the Avian Vet would prescribe them a high-quality, medical-grade Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplement, either by injection (usually) or by sprinkling it on their food, one such as Calcivet. But I highly doubt that your birds have any reason to need a Calcium supplement, because they would be suffering from lots of signs/symptoms and you'd know something was wrong.
Also, realize that if you were to just start giving your bird some kind of extra Calcium supplement, 99% of it would be excreted in their Urates because #1) Unless they have a deficiency they don't need it and are getting more than enough Calcium from their diet and any Mineral Blocks/Cuttlebones, and if their body can't use it, it's just excreted in their Urates (their form of Urine, the white part of their poop), which can cause hard, chalky Urates and this is how Bladder/Kidney Stones happen, and then #2) Any extra Calcium you give them must also be combined with extra Vitamin D3 and then also UVB light in order for it to be absorbed and used anyway. But again, unless your bird has some type of health/medical condition/disease that causes a Calcium or Vitamin D deficiency, they don't need it and won't absorb it or use it, and it will only cause them health/medical issues...
All living creatures need Calcium because basically every body function/action/process requires Calcium to happen, right down to the cellular level. However, there are certain animals that actually need to be given an added, artificial source of Calcium and Vitamin D3 when they're kept in captivity and not in their natural environment, because their diets in captivity do not contain enough Calcium or Vitamin D3 to allow them to absorbe and use the Calcium they are getting...Most of these animals are Reptiles and Amphibians, and does not usually include birds.
The only time you want to give your bird an actual Calcium "supplement", as opposed to simply providing them with both a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block, is if they are diagnosed with a Calcium Deficiency through blood-work. And this goes for female birds that you're breeding as well; female birds need extra Calcium if they are making/laying eggs and feeding baby chicks, but not from a Calcium supplement, simply adding a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block to their cage at all times is more than enough Calcium and Vitamin D3 to allow their bodies to use the Calcium, when given in-conjunction with their regular daily Avian diet of a healthy, low-fat, high-protein Avian pellet or seed-mix combined with a serving of fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens each day as well.
So unless your specific bird actually had blood-work done and your Avian Vet diagnosed him/her with a Calcium and/or Vitamin D Deficiency, then you shouldn't be giving him/her any type of Calcium supplement at all, you just need to make sure they always have access to a Cuttlebone and a Mineral Block made for birds, along with feeding them a healthy Avian diet that is supplemented with fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens, which are very high in Calcium and Vitamin D3...If you give a bird an actual Calcium supplement in addition to their regular staple-diet of pellets/seed-mix, their fresh veggies and dark, leafy greens, and a Cuttlebone and Mineral Block, when they don't actually have a health/medical issue that is causing a Calcium Deficiency, you are likely going to cause your bird to develop a Calcium TOXICITY, which will cause all kinds of serious health conditions including everything from chronic Bladder/Kidney Stones to hardening of the Blood-Vessels in the Kidneys to actual Kidney Disease, along with many Neurological conditions that are caused by an excess of Calcium being absorbed by the body.
***So the bottom-line is that even if you're planning on breeding your female bird(s), none of them should be given nor do they need an extra Calcium/Vitamin D3 supplement. Instead, simply make sure that they always have access to both a Cuttlebone and an Avian Mineral Block, and make sure that they are getting a large portion of fresh Veggies and Dark, Leafy Greens each day in addition to their regular daily staple-diet of either a high-quality, low-sugar, "Natural" Avian Pellet or a low-fat, high-protein, varied Avian Seed-Mix. And if you're actually concerned that your birds do have a Calcium-Deficiency (they shouldn't unless they are suffering from other health issues/conditions that would cause it), then you certainly do not want to just start giving them a daily Calcium Supplement; you need to instead take them to either a Certified Avian Vet or Avian Specialist Vet, voice your concern to the Vet, and have them run full Blood-Work to determine whether they actually do have an issue. And if they did have a Calcium-Deficiency, the Avian Vet would prescribe them a high-quality, medical-grade Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplement, either by injection (usually) or by sprinkling it on their food, one such as Calcivet. But I highly doubt that your birds have any reason to need a Calcium supplement, because they would be suffering from lots of signs/symptoms and you'd know something was wrong.
Also, realize that if you were to just start giving your bird some kind of extra Calcium supplement, 99% of it would be excreted in their Urates because #1) Unless they have a deficiency they don't need it and are getting more than enough Calcium from their diet and any Mineral Blocks/Cuttlebones, and if their body can't use it, it's just excreted in their Urates (their form of Urine, the white part of their poop), which can cause hard, chalky Urates and this is how Bladder/Kidney Stones happen, and then #2) Any extra Calcium you give them must also be combined with extra Vitamin D3 and then also UVB light in order for it to be absorbed and used anyway. But again, unless your bird has some type of health/medical condition/disease that causes a Calcium or Vitamin D deficiency, they don't need it and won't absorb it or use it, and it will only cause them health/medical issues...
AmyMyBlueFront
Well-known member
- Apr 14, 2015
- 6,315
- 3,034
- Parrots
- Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(
And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Anything that is NOT put in the water obviously.
Does your CAG really *need* suplements?
A simple bloodtest will show you.
They ( as a group) usually have low calcium- issues, but you can also overdo it- and high calcium gives another host of nasty (and sometimes lethal) symptoms.
simple biology/ self healing:
Make sure the bird can generate it own vit D. by getting sunlight.
Vit D is necessery for absorbtion of calcium (from food) in the blood.
Feed a lot of dark green leafy vegs, maybe offer some extra source like cuttlebone or a (boiled) eggshell.
Just let the bird choose how much it wants/needs to ingest.
(do not ever forcefeed them calcium unless it is under supervision and advice of a true CAV)
.
Sorry Christa but I'm going to argue that point
My dear Smokey had a calcium problem once. One day I noticed she was stumbling when she walked and would fall off her perch! I immediately took her to her doctor and he gave her a shot of calcium. within five minutes she was back to her old self 
He gave me a bottle of liquid calcium and told me to put a tablespoon's worth in a three ounce water bowl every time I changed her water. She never had a problem again.And yes,you are correct when you say greys are known to have calcium deficiencies!
Jim
- May 23, 2018
- 3,559
- 158
- Parrots
- Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Just exactly where are you arguing?
Some of mine also had calciumissues because of crappy diets - is easily fixed the same way.
Putting anything in water is just poluting it - parrots just do not drink enough of it to get a high enough dosage. You probably already did cure her with better food and good living (after the much needed boost from the vet).
Some of mine also had calciumissues because of crappy diets - is easily fixed the same way.
Putting anything in water is just poluting it - parrots just do not drink enough of it to get a high enough dosage. You probably already did cure her with better food and good living (after the much needed boost from the vet).
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