Thank you for bringing up the topic of calcium. Yes, birds indeed need calcium for egg-laying and other activities, with some birds seeking calcium more than others. There are supplements that one can get for pet birds, but we’d recommend talking to a vet or wildlife expert before giving any of these supplements or supplements meant for humans to wild birds.
As an alternative, there are wild bird foods that have calcium added. Or, Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggest using eggshells from chicken eggs. Shells from hardboiled eggs are sterilized, but if you use shells from raw eggs, you will need to sanitize them first to eliminate any diseases, such as bacteria, which may sometimes be present. First rinse the shells. Then you can either boil them for 10 minutes or bake them on a baking sheet at 250 Fahrenheit for about 10 to 20 minutes until they are dry, not brown. Let them cool and then crush them into small bits (about the size of sunflower seeds). Scatter the pieces on the ground, or place on a dish or low platform feeder.
Thank you for bringing up the topic of calcium. Yes, birds indeed need calcium for egg-laying and other activities, with some birds seeking calcium more than others. There are supplements that one can get for pet birds, but we’d recommend talking to a vet or wildlife expert before giving any of these supplements or supplements meant for humans to wild birds.
As an alternative, there are wild bird foods that have calcium added. Or, Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggest using eggshells from chicken eggs. Shells from hardboiled eggs are sterilized, but if you use shells from raw eggs, you will need to sanitize them first to eliminate any diseases, such as bacteria, which may sometimes be present. First rinse the shells. Then you can either boil them for 10 minutes or bake them on a baking sheet at 250 Fahrenheit for about 10 to 20 minutes until they are dry, not brown. Let them cool and then crush them into small bits (about the size of sunflower seeds). Scatter the pieces on the ground, or place on a dish or low platform feeder.