Calcivet

[Diane]

I'm hoping to add some hens to my mixed finch aviary - and wondered how important is it to give them Calcivet. The birds already have a pots of mixed grit , charcoal and ground oystershell. Plus iodine blocks and cuttlefish bones attached to the wire. I've bred diamond doves, bengalese and zebra finches, and cpq in there and have had no trouble - but someone mentioned that, with the smaller finches, I should be giving them calcivet too.

How many folk here routinely use it for finches?

I'm hoping to get some hen star finches soon - as mates for the two cock birds and I want to make sure they have everything they need.

P.S. I breed budgies too - but have never given them calcivet, only cuttlefish bones.

What other supplements, if any, do people regularly use?

[laurab]

Hi Diane

I much prefer the supplements you can buy to add to water, that way you know that they have all had some. I am sure that is absorbed better too.

I also use pro-biotics.

[Waxbillman]

i had to re read that Diane, to start with i was about to call you mad.

i use calci vet in the water as well as cuttlefish and oyster shell grit

Matthew

[chris]

Hi Diane,

that's enritely your own choice on whether to use it in addition or not, personally i wouldnt as if cuttlefish bone and oystershell grit is on offer then they have plenty of calcium in their diet already, and anything ontop is just a waste, even potentially dangerous! although to be fair you'd need quite a bit of calcium to cause problems

if it were me i'd stick to the cuttlefish and grit, much cheaper.

as mentioned though they'd already have plenty in the diet so no need to add more

Chris

[Diane]

Many thanks to all. Much appreciated.