A powdered vitamin, such as vionate (a vitamin supplement containing a large source of calcium) can be sprinkled on fresh fruits and vegetables or the softfood could simply be tossed like a salad together with the vitamins to coat the damp foods. 

Fast Growing - When the adults eat their food, they in turn feed it to their youngsters, hopefully supplying enough calcium for the very fast growing African Grey chicks. Usually with my pairs everything goes just fine and enough calcium is supplied, but I have on rare occasions, still experienced a lack of calcium in some chicks. 

This could have been caused by the adults feeding more dry seed than softfood or because the chick itself is growing at such a rapid rate that its body was not getting enough calcium, causing soft or brittle bones especially noticeable in the legs.

 If such a chick is left unattended its bones will become so soft that they will fracture easily and a painful death will result. 

At the very first sign of a calcium deficient chick, I immediately take the entire clutch to my veterinary. Those with decreased calcium levels should be treated with an injectable calcium as well as Vitamin D3 which is required to absorb and utillize the calcium in the body.  Usually, if the chicks are treated at the first sign of trouble only one shot is needed without any boosters. 

A liquid calcium (neo-calglucon, glubionate calcium) syrup is added to the chick's diet while they are being hand-fed. They can be treated with this liquid calcium mixed into the formula or given orally a few drops to 1/2cc, depending on the age and size of the chicks. For older chicks, 1cc per ounce of drinking water can be offered. 

Within a day or two, the ailing chick should be back on its feed. If within the next few days the chick has still not shown much improvement, then the calcium injection should be repeated as needed. Mine have always been up by the first or second day with no recurring problems. 

In adult African Grey parrots, calcium deficiencies can also occur if they do not receive a proper diet. Greys have been known to fall of the perch through weakness. This is sometimes caused by a heavy fat diet of sunflower seed; sometimes peanuts will hamper the bird's body growth, not allowing it to absorb enough calcium. An injection of Vitamin D3 and calcium, as well as adding extra calcium to the bird's diet, can usually rectify this problem if dealt with in time.

If not provided, a bird has to draw on the resources of its own body an calcium will be taken in excess from the bones, which sometimes results in paralysis. Sufficient amounts of Vitamin D3 are important in the diet in order for the body to properly absorb the calcium. Vitamin D should be added to the breeding pair's diet. 

Uneaten foods - Any food left at the end of the day which has extra rations of Vitamin D3 should be removed. Foods rich in calcium should be offered. Green leafy vegetables and oranges provide a good natural source of calcium. Some people feed bread to their birds. Others offer cheese of which some parrots are extremely fond. 

Strong Shells - All this added calcium is to assure strong eggshells without draining calcium from a hen's body, which could cause soft shelled eggs without having enough calcium in the body. If drained from the body in this way the hen could develop severe calcium deficiency. The first signs of an egg-bound hen are usually when the bird appears sluggish and puffy. 

In very severe cases the hen will often be unable to stand sometimes, the toes will curl and the hen will start to haemorrhage from her vent. If the hen is rushed to a vet for a calcium injection and the egg removed by an experienced person, the hen can be saved. But, if left un-attended for any length of time the hen could be rendered crippled for life. 

Also as mentioned earlier, a hen may not be able to pass a soft-shelled egg and could die if left unattended. An under-developed shell could also be the result of insufficient calcium in the diet. Porous shells can sometimes be the result from a poor diet low in calcium as well as Vitamin D3. 

It is unfortunate that untamed, wild caught African Greys with a nest-box, will usually hide inside not coming out, even when there is a problem. Many such problems could go unnoticed. So with a proper diet hopefully all will go well. 

With fast growing African Grey chicks, other problems can sometimes arise without proper calcium in the diet. Parent raised chicks need a substantial amount of calcium added to the feeding pair's food supply. This usually is best given to the pair in the soft food diet.