Can birds eat sanddollars?

[IsaDa18]

For calcium or grit? Its dry, has been for ten years.

 

[Laurie]

They are made of calcium carbonate which should be okay but sometimes they are bleached with bleach I am not sure if that would be an issue or not. That is how I clean mine that I find at the beach.

It seems to me that it would be very similar to cuttlefish bones which are commonly sold for birds.

 

[JLcribber]

Where did you get it and why is it 10 years old? Where's it been?

A fresh cuttlebone made for birds is very cheap and is safe.

 

[CeciliaZ]

I would not give them the sand dollars. When broken there are some pieces - I think 5 - that resemble "birds" that are small - I would be afraid that some birds may have trouble when trying to swallow these pieces - like trying to eat larger pieces of egg shell. Google "Legend of the Sand Dollar" and you will see these small pieces - "doves of peace".

 

[fluffypoptarts]

Don't do it. Be very careful about using anything not specifically designed for birds. For that matter, be cautious even of things that are marketed for birds. Make sure the items are safe and from a reputable company/place.

 

[Tim]

Will it hurt them--probably not. I'd boil them first to ensure they are completely sterilized. But I agree with John--cuttlefish bones are cheap. I'd keep the sand dollar as decorative. Calcium carbonate, which is the composition of both shells, isn't the most effective form of calcium, anyway.

 

[IsaDa18]

Where did you get it and why is it 10 years old? Where's it been?

A fresh cuttlebone made for birds is very cheap and is safe.

I had it as a girl but during my move part of it was crushed. Completely natural and unbleached, collected it myself as a kid.