Cuttlebone for male budgies?

[Birdiemarie]

Do I need a cuttlebone and mineral block for Ocean and Charlie since they are males? They do eat pellets.

 

[Anneka]

Yes
Calcium is needed not only for egg laying but also for strong bones.

 

[Birdiemarie]

Good, cause I just hung them up. Thanks.

 

[Stormcloud]

If the pellets you are using contain calcium then I wouldn't be supplying it from other sources as well.

 

[Birdiemarie]

Thanks, Gerard, I'll check the ingredients.

Edit: It's Roudybush Mini Maintenance Pellets that I bought from the breeder to start sine that's what she weans them onto. It has plenty of calcium in it so I'll take out the cuttlebone.

 

[Birdiemarie]

So they don't need the mineral block either because of the pellets?

 

[Stormcloud]

Providing they are actually eating the pellets then the pellets will more than give them enough calcium, magnesium and manganese.

 

[Birdiemarie]

Yes, they are eating their pellets and I also add pellets to their birdie bread. I will take the mineral block out as well then. Thanks everyone.

 

[sthiele]

My budgies have cuttlebones and mineral blocks. I don't see them eat either, but they love to shred them and they help keep their beaks trimmed. Keep in mind with budgies, pellets should only be a small percentage of their overall diet. Too much pellets in their diet can cause kidney issues and gout.

 

[Anneka]

Good point Stormcloud!
And the same goes to Sthiele!

 

[JAM]

Our lovebirds scrape their beaks on the cuttlebone we supply and us it as an additional perch.

 

[Birdiemarie]

I've kept a tablespoon of pellets in their cage since they've been home to see how much of pellet eaters they are and they just nibble at it a little in the morning before breakfast and in the evening when they get their seeds. They get about an inch of birdie bread every other day that has a cup of pellets for the whole pan. They eat fresh and cooked veggies, sprouts, cooked grains, and 3 tsp seed daily (with 1 tsp Unpellet mixed in) at night and a small amount of fruit occasionally (their not interested in fruit at this point). I haven't given nuts yet but will offer a little almond and walnut probably as training treats.

So now I'm confused as to whether or or not to use cuttlebone.

 

[Stormcloud]

You can read this link from Roudybush's own site common questions

 

[Bokkapooh]

If their diet isnt a good percentage of pellets, I think additional calcium would be OK?

 

[WeasleyLover]

I've always given cuttlebones to my budgies, both male and female. They use them more as a toy then something they eat.

 

[Lady Jane]

My male budget does not eat the cuttlebone but female Daisy loves it. I would say use the cuttlebone because birds seem to know when to eat it and when not to.

 

[MyAussieFriends]

My females have never laid eggs, so I don't make it a priority to have cuttle bone.

 

[sthiele]

Like Dianne mentioned, you'll find birds know when they need to use cuttlebones or mineral blocks. Most birds look at them like toys and if your budgies aren't big on chewing on soft woods like balsa, they'll need something to aid in trimming their beaks.

 

[Willow12]

None of my birds have cuttlebones in their cage! I also feed Roudy Bush pellets and I also give Avivita Plus that has everything they need too have.

 

[Tweeky]

I give all my birds Manu.
Manu Mineral Block Provides Essential Minerals For A Healthy Bird