Cuttle Bone Vs. Mineral Block?

[Tracie H]

I have been operating under the assumption that you could use either or, but now I am beginning to wonder if I should be using both? Please advise :S Thanks!

[jayjay]

using both isnt a bad thing, but i personally stick to cuttle bone. its a more natural source of calcium and the like in my opinion. i've been thinking about adding in a mineral block as well to supplement the cuttle bone. mineral blocks are really best for breeding because the lower levels of calcium will reduce the chance of egg binding that can be caused if your budgie hen eats too much calcium.

[Tracie H]

Uh-Oh... I read that too little calcium caused egg binding. Now I'm confused!:S

[jayjay]

hahah, its a tough subject, but the correct answer is really that too little will cause it, but too much will have the same effect. they do need slightly higher amounts of calcium, but if they take in too much, it can lead to egg binding which is why its important to use a mineral block to let them get some calcium during the breeding period. a lot of people use cuttle bone still and feel it essential, but from what i have been told by many (and read in books) is that cuttle bone is essential for budgies, but best to be replaced with mineral blocks during breeding. if your budgie doesnt gourge on cuttle bone, it should be fine, but if she chews it all up in one day, it may cause problems with the egg laying.

[Tracie H]

Ahhh, ok, well no problem then, when Sunny was alone it took her well over a year to use up a cuttle bone, so I don't think it will be a problem for her to leave it then.

[monsoon]

My two always have access to both, budgies will pick and choose when they need them anyway. of course people offern forget that like us budgies can not absorbe calcium without vitmin D and the only way to get that is short frecrent trip outside to enjoy a little sunshine (i give mine a little spray so the sit n preen themselves).

Claire
xXx

[Cyn]

I always use both also... My birds tend top go from one extreme to the next. One week it is all cuttle bone next week it is all mineral block. And I don't even think they eat the mineral block I find piles and piles of the mineral block dust on the side of the cage as if they are just shaving it down.

[Millie]

Amy uses both, I love her budgies!

[Amy]

Yeah, then they get more of a mixture. They love both of them! Munching on them right now!

[Mr. Pretty Bird]

I had both, but Patrick spends 2/3 of her day climbing around her G.F.M.T. (Grape Flavored Mineral Treat). And, calcium perches are god too. Spike and Patrick use them sometimes.

[jayjay]

yeah, perches are a great way to get your budgie to take in calcium if you are worried they arent getting enough from cuttle bone or mineral blocks. they naturally love to peck at perches and just go at it with their teeth for excercise and sheer enjoyment i believe haha.

[buddy]

My sisters old Budgie used to eat cuttlefish but our others didn't so we feed them a mineral block. they've chewed of the whole outside layer is it as good in the middle????

[ETAHoffman]

One good reason for using cuttle bone is that it contains natural iodine. I use both and find my birds nibble on both. I do have a tendency to use cuttle bone in the individual breeding cages more often than mineral block but that may simply be because I have more cuttle bone on hand than mineral blocks. (I need to get off my rear and make some more blocks soon. I plan to set up my breeders as soon as it cools off a bit. Perhaps November.)