calcium

[314647chip]

I've heard that chipmunks need quite a bit of calcium to stat healthy. Is this true?
If so, what can I give a chipmunk that is a good source of calcium?

[peter01]

I heard this too, i'm sure everyone on the site uses cuttlefish for there chips, (going to get some for mine soon). I tried to give mine a glass of milk, but one of my white ones decided she would like a milk bath

[ilovechips]

Yeah its important to provide calcium-rich food for them. Cuttlefish bone is a must. Also boil an egg, let it cool down and see if they eat it. some will. Also petit filous, but natural plain yoghurt is also good if not better. Mushrooms for vitamin D, they will probably choose to eat other food first but they will eat a bit of the mushroom. Also have you tried the vitakraft mineral block? thats a must too always have one in your cage for them

[314647chip]

Thank you. will try the yogurt and egg, as well as the cuttle fish.

[pinkpill]

mine love scrambled egg with double cream in the mixture 

[ell1es]

I have cuttlefish which they take or leave (mainly leave), they don't like egg, but they love the calcium block (like a pumice stone texture) hung between pieces of silver birch (in cross sections) with a bell at the bottom that we get from our pet shop. The calcium has gone from a large cube to a golfball size/shape 

[pinkpill]

i think most of mine eat the cuttlefish, i've even seen the babies nibbling on it, but i suppose theyre just like us, some things we like, some things we dont like and i'v read a few times on here that their chippies dont eat egg, i always cook an extra couple of eggs whether i'm boiling or scrambling, coz i know with mine they wont go to waste 

[Nick]

 Mine wont touch the cuttlefish, but they are quicky picky

[jennyb]

Some of mine eat the cuttlefish or mineral blocks but others never touch them. I think some like the taste others don't but they will eat them if they are in need like pregnant and nursing or if they are unwell. I always have cuttlefish bones and mineral blocks available all the time just incase.

Its true they have a high calcium need like tree Squirrels do.

[Nick]

I leave some in with them just in case they get a taste for it

[Marci]

Buddy does not eat the cuttlefish but the english chips do.  None of them will eat mushrooms and none of them are keen on scrambled eggs even if there is a lot of cheese in it. 

For those chippies that will not eat cuttlefish, try grating it and mixing it in with their food.  Almonds and sesame seeds have the most calcium. 

Ell1es - what is the name of the calcium block that you purchase?  Can you please provide a linK?

Thanks

Marci

[ilovechips]

Yeah i forgot to mention grate cuttlefish bone on theyre food, and then it is like a vitamin/calcium supplement like sprinkling powder on theyre food 

Marci this is the one i have always used and it is the best (in my opinion) i even was tempted to lick it myself  http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/product.php/307/0

[pinkpill]

I leave some in with them just in case they get a taste for it

cover it in chocolate 

[pinkpill]

Yeah i forgot to mention grate cuttlefish bone on theyre food, and then it is like a vitamin/calcium supplement like sprinkling powder on theyre food 

Marci this is the one i have always used and it is the best (in my opinion) i even was tempted to lick it myself  http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/product.php/307/0

i mite be wrong but i'm sure you can buy calcium powder from chemists i think its for babies really
also i bought some beaphar bone builder, its for 's & 's really, but in the ingredients it looks like its mostly calcium anyway, and mostly if its safe for  's & 's then it should be ok for chippies

[314647chip]

Thank you all again.