FAQ: Health for birds

The lighting time depends on the lamp and the bird's species, so follow the manufacturer's instructions. It matters that the bird also has a dark, quiet period to sleep at night, as an overly long day stresses it.

Birds need calcium for their bones, eggshells and muscle and nerve function. A shortage is especially dangerous for laying hens and growing chicks, so a calcium source should always be available.

Laying hens of any species, growing chicks and breeding birds need the most calcium. For some parrot species vets more often recommend keeping a closer eye on calcium in the diet.

Common calcium sources are cuttlebone, mineral blocks, oyster shell grit and calcium-containing food such as some leafy vegetables. Use liquid or powdered calcium supplements only according to the label and after asking a vet.

There are liquid calcium supplements for birds, usually dissolved in water or dripped onto food. They are used in particular situations, such as during breeding, so it is worth discussing their use with a vet and following the label.

A hen uses a lot of calcium for eggshells, so with too little the shells are thin or soft and the hen can become weak. If a hen lays a lot of eggs or seems unwell, contact a vet.

Hens can lay eggs without a male, and frequent laying drains their body. In that case it is worth asking a vet, who can advise on diet, lighting and changes to the surroundings that may reduce laying.

It is a block pressed from minerals, mostly calcium compounds, which the bird chews to take in minerals. Chewing it also helps keep the beak in shape and gives the bird something to do.

Fix the block to the bars next to a perch so the bird can easily reach it while perching. It should not be under perches, where droppings fall on it, or next to the drinker, where it gets wet.

Replace the mineral block when it is chewed down, soiled with droppings or wet, as it cannot be washed. A clean block can stay in the cage for as long as the bird uses it.

Not all birds are keen on mineral blocks, and some get the minerals they need from food. You can try another spot in the cage or a different calcium source, and ask a vet about the diet.

Some birds simply love chewing blocks, especially laying hens. If a bird suddenly starts eating much more of it than usual, it is worth asking a vet about its diet and health.

Some mineral blocks contain iodine, as budgies that eat only seed may lack it. Whether a bird needs extra iodine depends on its diet, so it is best discussed with a vet.

No, salt licks are made for livestock, and excess salt is dangerous for birds. Mineral blocks made for birds have a salt content suited to their needs.

Some breeders use well-washed, heat-treated and crushed eggshells. Untreated shells can carry bacteria, so calcium sources made for birds are safer, and it is worth asking a vet if in doubt.

Grit is small stones or mineral pieces that some birds swallow so their muscular gizzard can grind up unshelled seed. Soluble grit, such as shell, is also a source of calcium.

Insoluble grit, such as quartz or granite, stays in the gizzard and helps grind food. Soluble grit, such as oyster shell or limestone, is digested and supplies calcium but does little to grind food.

Insoluble grit is mainly needed by birds that swallow seed or grain unshelled: pigeons, chickens, quail and other birds. Whether your bird needs it depends on its species and diet.

Parrots shell their seeds, so many vets believe they need little or no insoluble grit, and too much can be harmful. It is best to ask a vet who treats birds about grit for your parrot.

Yes, sick or weak birds in particular sometimes eat too much grit, which can upset digestion. Give grit in small amounts in a separate dish, and if you notice a bird eating a great deal of it, contact a vet.