The Need for Calcium

Every living creature needs calcium. This mineral is necessary for the normal development and maintenance of the skeleton, no matter what the age of the individual. Birds are no exception. As egg layers, they have a greater need for calcium than other animals, especially in the spring and summer during nesting season.
Most foods that make up a bird’s diet are low in calcium, making it a real challenge for them to find enough to meet their body’s requirements. Without sufficient calcium, adult females are forced to pull this mineral from their own bodies during egg laying. This makes their bones weak and porous. There is also the danger that eggs of these birds may have thinner than normal shells, causing them not to hatch. Young chicks, due to their quick growth, also need a high level of calcium. If their parents feed them a low calcium diet, chicks may exhibit skeletal deformities like rickets, lameness or painful, swollen joints.
Adult birds will readily choose calcium rich foods if available. As females develop their eggs overnight before they begin laying, she will try to increase her consumption of these foods during her evening feed.
To meet her needs, WBU has developed a line of calcium rich foods containing calcium carbonate. It is added as a powder or grit to the seed/suet and is easily broken down and absorbed by the bird upon feeding. And as it is available in both seed and suet, all birds can receive this important mineral.
The following foods in our stores contain calcium:

• Tree Nutty Plus Seed Blend

• Choice Plus Seed Blend

• No Mess Plus Seed Blend

• Jim's Birdacious Bark Butter (all varieties)

• Peanut Butter & Jelly Suet Dough