Calcium, grit and food

[Tikkajazz94]

So, I gave my quail a cuttlebone. is that good? I read that somebody on here uses one. I read giving canary food is okay. So I mixed it in with their other food. And quail need grit right? Can I use canary grit?

 

[TheRealTimShady]

i keep cuddlefish bones in my coop constantly, its something for them to peck on instead of the cage...or eachother. Need grit....you mean like...oyster shell grit or...

only things quails NEED are good quality GBS and water lol. everything else is extra

 

[Tikkajazz94]

So what does grit do? I thought oyster shell was their source of calcium? And that's why the cuttlebone.

 

[TwoCrows]

Cuttle bone is for calcium only. They will consume it when they need more calcium in their diet. Grit is needed for the gizzard for grinding up food that is not water soluble. There is huge debate on whether or not they need grit as the crumbles food is water soluble. So in theory they shouldn't need it if on a crumbles diet only. But I think it should be offered anyway. My aviary birds are constantly eating small stones and such even when I do not offer hard course foods like seeds, nuts etc...which occasionally I do.

 

[Chikndinner]

My Bag of Game bird starter says to offer fine grit

 

[Missi]

I mix parakeet seed mix in with my GB crumbles so I also offer a dish of grit.