Cuttlefish Bone

[Leconeq]

Hey guys,

Any tips or tricks on how to encourage the use of a cuttlefish bone or mineral stone?
I know how important they are, but my little buddy hasn't shown any interest at all. He is my first Budgie and I've only had him a few days. He hasn't shown any interest in fruit or veggies either, but I've found some tips and tricks on how to encourage him to eat those which I'll try.

Thanks!

[pal0m1n0]

You could try giving the stone and bone a scratch when you have to get into the cage. I have more than one floating around the cages. I have no idea if this will help or not. But I find that they go at the items in spurts. My parent birds used them a lot while breeding and feeding chicks, not so much otherwise.

[Star]

I would try getting the budgies interest in it. As suggest already, maybe scratch it or look at it or just keep touching it. It's really good for them and they need to get interested in it. We have a grape-flavored cuttlefish bone, they have different flavors and they sell those in Petco. Maybe that will help! Good luck!

Star

[Leconeq]

thanks guys! I do appreciate any tips or tricks!

I should have mentioned that I did scratch one of the cuttlefish bones with my nail a few times right in front of him, but still no luck. I added a grape flavored mineral stone and another cuttlefish bone in the cage, so now he has 3 options in 3 separate corners of the cage...hopefully he'll try soon!

[kisses]

Hi there. Well, you said you only had him for a few days. He still may be uncertain about his new surroundings. You may just have to give him time. Once he realizes what it is I am sure he will try to eat it. Let us know how he does.

[redgirl]

My budgies still dont really bother with it, they use it more like a perch and to poop on xxx

[bird_luver24]

Neither of my Budgies have yet taken an interest in their Cuttlebone/Mineral Block yet. I have one that is a Mineral Block and CuttleBone in one. They have only been here for 2 1/2days now though. I did buy another Cuttlebone So, Maybe Ill add it in a different spot in the cage. Good Idea! :)

[BUUZBEE]

Your birds are very new, and they are still learning their cage & new home. When they start realy checking out every nook & cranny of their cage, they will find it. Some birds want nothing to do with it, others go nuts for it. Some wont go near it until they go into condition. Birds are smart little things, and when they know they are lacking some kind of mineral, they will look for it. dont worry if they dont use it yet. I have found that with my new ones, I will snap the cuttlebone in half, they seem to have more of the chalky area to nibble on.

[pretty_bird]

I try to put mine near their favorite toy our the food dish...those are the two places my budgies always act goofy (bobbing the head up and down like a headbanger, dancing, etc. . .a lot of activity, etc.). In that way maybe they'll bite at it or scratch at it in one of their hyper/playful moods, lol. Two of mine don't have so much interest in it either, that's why I'm playing with the location, but Daisy uses it a lot.

[nessa]

What I did with Chicky (my tiel) and snowflake (Dementedlullaby's budgie) was to grind up the cuttlefish into tiny crumbles and add a pinch on top of the seed daily. Eventually, I made the crumbles a little bigger and in a little while, the bird will nibble on the whole thing. This ensures that the bird will get some cuttlefish. :)
HTH :)

[Leconeq]

thanks! lots of good stuff here....I'll try Nessa's suggestion for sure! cheers!

[Budgiekin]

You could also try scraping some of the cuttle bone into a sort of powder and sprinkle it onto their regular food. In addition, you may want to consider placing the cuttle bone near a mirror so that the little sweety can see "another budgie" checking out the cuttle bone. Good luck!! (Oh, and just so you know, my only budgie who is ever really interested in cuttle bone is Skyla. The boys don't really touch it!)

[Leconeq]

I did grind up a little and sprinkled it on his food. He's kinda acting a little hyper. He's seems to be pacing at the bottom of the cage. I've only had him 5 days now, so perhaps that is normal also?

Actually, he's already stopped but for a few minutes he was really hyper. Is that normal after eating cuttlefish bone? Is it like catnip or something? Just curious, he seems fine, just hadn't noticed that behavior yet.

Thanks guys!

[BrokenJohnny]

Hey guys,

Any tips or tricks on how to encourage the use of a cuttlefish bone or mineral stone?
I know how important they are, but my little buddy hasn't shown any interest at all. He is my first Budgie and I've only had him a few days. He hasn't shown any interest in fruit or veggies either, but I've found some tips and tricks on how to encourage him to eat those which I'll try.

Thanks!

My budgie did not touch his cuttle bone for weeks after I had him. Like you, I was a little worried about it. However, once my budgie was more used to his new cage, as well as used to all the various sounds in my house, he started using it. If your budgie is new like you say, he may need a few weeks, or months, before he is "at home" so to speak, at which time he will most certainly explore, and chew on anything and everything in his cage.

I did grind up a little and sprinkled it on his food. He's kinda acting a little hyper. He's seems to be pacing at the bottom of the cage. I've only had him 5 days now, so perhaps that is normal also?

Actually, he's already stopped but for a few minutes he was really hyper. Is that normal after eating cuttlefish bone? Is it like catnip or something? Just curious, he seems fine, just hadn't noticed that behavior yet.

Thanks guys!

Budgies will pace on their cage floor for a number of reasons. As far as I know, a cuttle bone should have no effect on his mood like catnip for a cat would. However, your budgie may be excited that there was something "extra" in his food, and may be feeling particularily happy because he has tried something new. Or, his actions could simply be a coincedence.

[1scifi1]

My six budgies won't touch them either. Grinding them sounds like a good idea. I did put shell powder in their food.

[redgirl]

Unless my budgies touch it when I am not around, Edie used to sharpen her beak on it at one time but I have not noticed her do it for a while xx

[Susie T]

Like RedGirl says, once they get use to their surroundings, they will start to nibble on just about anything that is in their cage (and outside of it) lol My Will is only 2 months old, and he also has no use for either...but not to worry, you'll see!