My parakeet refuses to eat it's cuttlebone

Question

I think the cuttlebone is too big for their beaks to bite is it a good idea for me to crush their cuttlebone and try to ad that in their food supply because i've seen my parakeets that they have been trying to bite it.

Answer 1

This is not uncommon, many birds won't eat cuttlebone.  If they want to eat it, they can do so very easily, even the smallest of birds can nibble on the sides of  the cuttlebone.  Some just prefer not to eat it. This is why a pelleted diet is best for all birds.  It has all the nutrition your bird will need, and you don't have to give vitamin supplements or use cuttlebone.  Cuttlebone does not help the beak like some people think, it is way to soft for that.  It just has calcium that birds need.  If you have a concrete perch in the cage, this will help groom the beak and nails of your bird.  (it should not be the only perch, he needs his other perches, too)  Try feeding them regular pellets (not fruited, there is too much waste with them)  Then you won't have to worry about cuttlebone.  Please read my profile.

Answer 2

try putting it on bottom of cage vs. hanging on the side

Answer 3

one you cutter bone isn't to big they just scrape their bill on and that is how they sharpen their bill and it wont grow so long and hurt them it and they can't eat

they need bird food for  their own breed at the pet store  good luck with them  they are doing what they are sup post to do

Answer 4

Birds with a balanced diet don't generally need cuttlebone, since it is only a calcium supplement. Our birds only have interest in their cuttlebone during breeding season, when their calcium levels are depleted because of egg formation.

Since cuttlebone is quite soft and powdery, it does nothing to affect the beaks shape or sharpness.