Cuttlefish bone is not enough!

Most bird owners know the importance of calcium in the diets of our birds. It is absolutely necessary for laying females, pairs rearing young and species such as Grey Parrots, which are susceptible to seizures, leading to death, without this vital element. Unfortunately, many deaths, including egg-binding, can be attributed to a calcium deficiency.

- Rosemary Low

I have often asked parrot owners about the calcium source supplied to their birds. More often than not, they reply, “Cuttlefish bone”. An easy way to hang it up is to make a hole in the centre with a screwdriver and thread a cable tie through it.

While this is an excellent source of calcium, its consumption will not prevent the serious problems mentioned, except perhaps in birds in outdoor aviaries with prolonged exposure to sunshine. This is an unlikely scenario. Just as many humans in northern Europe have Vitamin D3 deficiency, leading to various health issues due to the lack of sunlight, the same is true of our birds.

They need this vitamin because it is essential for calcium absorption. Exposure to ultraviolet wavelengths is essential for the synthesis of Vitamin D3. Many psittacine birds are fed a seed-based diet, and seed is deficient in this vitamin.

The availability of UV bulbs for lamps in holders made to stand on top of a flat cage (such as a breeding cage in a birdroom) or at its side, and for table lamps (for companion birds), has made the provision of ultra-violet light so easy. One or two hours daily are enough. Prolonged exposure might damage the eyes. However, note that UV bulbs should be changed after about one year as they lose their potency.

So, to make sure our indoor birds, also reptiles if we keep them, stay healthy, I would suggest exposure to a UV lamp and an additive that combines calcium and Vitamin D³. There are a number of excellent additives of this kind for birds on the market.