Beachcombing for Cuttlefish bone

Beachcombing for Cuttlefish bone

If you live on or near the south coast of the UK did you know that you can collect cuttlefish from your local beach?

It is possible to find cuttlefish all year round but the best time of year is between May and June. It can be that plentiful you can collect it by the sack full.

Cuttlefish

Vanodine V18 disinfectant

 

After breeding, the female cuttlefish die and a few weeks later their skeletons are washed up on the beach. Cuttlefish collected like that can have an aroma but a good wash soon helps to destroy the smell. It then needs to be soaked for 48 hours in an avian disinfectant like Vanodine and left out in the sun to dry.

But what actually is cuttlebone? It’s the inside of a cuttlefish, which is a member of the cephalopod family. It’s not really a bone, but the internal shell which has gas-filled internal chambers that keep the cuttlefish afloat and benefits birds due to its high content of calcium, iron to help with red- blood-cell formation, potassium to aid normal heart and muscle activity, zinc which helps with a bird’s immune system and copper to improve its circulation and healing. Cuttlefish is what we call now a superfood.

Hen birds need these nutrients during egg production to help produce thick- shelled eggs. If there is a deficiency in her diet she will only lay thin-shelled eggs. Cuttlefish is a multi-purpose product as the shell also helps to polish beaks but in addition, is introducing a different texture to the cage.

Cuttlefish can be given to your birds in a couple of different ways. Feed just wedged through the bars of the cage or place in a cuttlefish holder but if neither of these ways is suitable just break off bits of the cuttlebone and sprinkle on top of their food.
 

buy your cage and aviary bird food from Haith's

Related Posts

Crimson Crescendo: The Radiant Shade of a Canaries Feathers
Crimson Crescendo: The Radiant Shade of a Canaries Feathers
Red canaries are popular among bird enthusiasts and pet owners due to their striking appearance, also known as Red Fa...
Read More
A Beginner's Guide to Rearing Young Canaries with Care
A Beginner's Guide to Rearing Young Canaries with Care
Welcoming a new generation of canaries into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience that requires attention...
Read More
The Enchanting World of Greenfinches
The Enchanting World of Greenfinches
Greenfinches are commonly found in the wild, but they can also be successfully raised as pets within an aviary. Many ...
Read More

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.