How to Attach a Cuttlebone to a Bird Cage

Putting a cuttlebone in your bird's cage seems simple, but two small details decide whether your bird actually uses it: how you attach it, and which side faces in. Get them right and most birds take to a cuttlebone quickly.

Which side faces the bird

This is the part people miss. The soft, flat or slightly concave side should face the bird, and the hard, curved side should face the cage bars. The soft side is what your bird can actually grind down for calcium. If the hard side faces in, especially for a young or small bird, it can be too tough to graze on and your bird may give up.

How to attach it safely

You want it secure, with no loose parts a bird can get caught on. Three reliable methods:

• A dedicated cuttlebone holder or clip. The cleanest option. Our 4-piece starter set comes with a holder so you can mount it on day one with nothing extra to buy.
• Bird-safe stainless steel wire or a coated twist tie. Wrap it tightly around the hard base of the cuttlebone and twist the ends securely around the cage wires. Tuck any sharp ends.
• Zip ties. Work well on most cages. Trim the tail flush so there's nothing for a beak or claw to catch.

Mount it at perch height, near where your bird already spends time, so it's easy to discover. Avoid placing it directly above food or water dishes where shavings can fall in.

Getting a picky bird to use it

Some birds ignore a new cuttlebone for a few days. That's normal. A few things that help:

• Scrape the soft side lightly with a clean spoon to expose fresh, powdery calcium and release the scent.
• Rub a little favorite food (or a millet crumb) on the soft side to spark interest.
• Place it near a favorite perch or toy, not in an empty corner.
• Be patient. Many birds start using it once they're comfortable it's part of the cage.

If your bird still won't touch it, you can crush a piece and sprinkle the powder over their food so they still get the calcium. For more on why this matters, see why birds need cuttlebone and calcium.

When to replace it

Swap the cuttlebone when it's been gnawed down, gets soiled with droppings, or starts to smell. A fresh one is softer and more appealing. Buying a multi-pack means you always have a clean replacement on hand.

FAQ

My cuttlebone keeps falling off. What now? Use a proper holder or clip rather than balancing it between bars. The holder set linked above solves this.

Can I just lay it on the cage floor? Not ideal. It gets soiled fast and birds use it less. Mounting it at perch height works far better.

Not sure which size or pack to get? Start with our best cuttlebone for birds buying guide, or shop the full cuttlebone range.