Question about mineral blocks

Hello everyone...
I am very happy to see that the Mineral block which I bought, it is made to look like an orange... and I guess it probably tastes like it also ( I havent tried hehe) but my questions is that I know they are good for sharpening and keeping their beaks trim.. but is there also a nutritional value to them? Becauase I can tell that hse is injesting some of it and it would make me feel even better if it was also good for her... she hasnt touched her cuttle bone yet though.. is the mineral block a good substitute or should I concentrate on her eating the cuttle fish bone as well?
Thanks a lot

 

Hi mineral blocks help the body absorb nutrients from the birds food while its digesting it gives them extra minerals it is perfectly safe for her to eat it some birds never do they just peck at it.

Cuttlefish is essential for a female bird as even if there is no male present when they come into breeding condition some females will still lay eggs and with each egg laid depleats her calcium if she does not have enough calcium to make the eggs her body will use her own reserves up which results in brittle bones and most of the time sudden death so its best to leave cuttlefish in the cage.

Birds only eat the cuttle fish when there body tells them they need it..

Mike

 

Thanks man, yeah i didnt plan on removing the cuttlefish just didnt know they only eat it when they want it...

 

hmm a lil problem

Mike, I have a question:
After reading that message, I used to put cuttlefish bones in the cage for my female budgie, but stopped for a short time. I know its important BUT all she does is chew it to pieces! She may ingest a bit, but she rather just bite off pieces to watch them fall to the bottom of her cage. I feel bad now but they don't last long with Angel! What can I do?

 

HI you will find that most birds do this my cockatiel females do but she ingests most of it the bits they break of is usually the hard part which is the back bone and some birds eat this too some do not.

What i usually do is buy large cuttlefish bones and break them in half once one part has gone i give them the other part also to make sure they are getting the calcium you can simply using a knife scrape it into there seed and mix it up this way they are getting it along with there seeds i do this for my finch's as they do not eat it if i don't..

Mike

 

thanks mike so much

Thanks Mike! Thats VERY helpful, I will start doing that right away.