Calcium/Minerals/Cuttlebone/Eggshell Calcium is one of the most essential and important elements for a bird, especially a captive bird. It is needed for bone growth, interacts with vitamins, and is the substance that builds egg shells. Deficiencies can cause poor growth, condition, and egg binding. All my birds always have a cuttlebone near a perch. The cuttlebone is placed in a specially designed holder that has a perch attached. I also provide a continuous supply of "mineral mix" which is offered in a easy to remove cup. This is composed of sterile chicken egg shell bits mixed with fine oyster shell. I do add tiny amounts of activated carbon but its value or harm is still under debate. In theory, it removes toxins from the blood stream but it can also bind essential elements. I know my birds relish it but I provide only about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of eggshell. My mixed "grit" is kept out of "poop" range in a separate feeding cup near the cage floor. This cup is easily removed from its holder for easy refill. The chicken egg shell bits are made by rinsing the slime out of the inside of the egg shell and then sterilizing them in an oven at 350 F for one hour or longer if they are not yet dry. Alternatively, you can microwave them until they are dry and good and hot (smells weird). They are cooled and then crushed with until they range in size from a grain of rice to your pinkie fingernail. Don't crush them into a dust. One of the best calcium supplements is Calciboost or Calcivet. It is a water soluble supplement that also has vitamin D3 in it to help the calcium metabolism. If used as directed it is a safe and effective source of calcium that will eliminate any tendency toward egg binding. I use it 3 times per week at 1/2 the recommended strength for at least 2 weeks prior to setting up pairs to breed. For non-breeding birds I use it once a week.
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