Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I use used copier/printer paper without much ink on it. it costs
    nothing so if it needs to be changed everyday there is no problem, but
    I don't have as many birds as you. Perhaps you could satisfy their urge
    to chew, by giving them some crumpled up pieces of paper(printer,
    copier or newpaper) You can also go to you local newspaper and ask them
    for ends of their rolls. They don't use the ends and it is newpaper
    without the printing.
    
    Why do you use Grit paper ? I never understood why this is made. If it
    is so the birds could get particles for their crops to work it seems
    unsanitary.
    
    Doug
    
    

    
    my understanding is that it was helpful
    in keepin their nails filed down as they 
    walk on it,(like sand covered perches).
    
    I like the idea about the computer paper
    as I tend to be a tree killer in this job 
    and always have an excess of paper w/o print.
    
    chet

    
    
    	Sand paper covered perches and floor covering (if
    	the bird spends alot of time down there) is terrible for
    	their feet.  You should clip the nails by hand if
    	possible.
    
    	Corn cobb can be expensive, however, I have enough birds
    	to warrant buying it in 50lb bags from Fort Dodge Grain Company
    	in Salem, NH (I think) for something like $10.00/bag.  The
    	shipping will kill you though (doubles the cost).
    	
    	Agway's often has it on sale for $25 for 50lbs.
    
    	Michael
    

    Cedar shavings are my choice for the bottoms of my cages. It smells
    good, cleans up (I usually put it under my outside trees) easily,
    and keeps the moths down. 10 lbs for $5.75.
    
    
    As for sand perches - as long as they are only on 1 perch - there
    isn't a problem. I have 12 'teils in one large cage and I always
    have one perch covered - as well as using those terre cauta
    (spelling??) perches. That is a lot of nails to keep trimmed!
    My Grey and Conure have the terre cauta perches.
    
    
    	Dora

    
    
    	Cedar can be toxic to parrots if they eat it.  Use pine shavings 
    	that have been kiln dried (fresh pine pitch is also toxic).
    
    	Michael
    

    	We use paper shopping bags, they're free and I cut them to size and
    can get two floor coverings out of one bag.  Works well.
    
    Tom

    
    Was concerned by what you said - so did a little calling around to 
    Vets and the Autobaun society and to the Zoo (they have a lot of
    parrots). They all said the same thing - they had never heard about
    cedar being toxic. In fact the zoo uses it for most of their caged
    birds (same reason -keeps the bugs away). I would be interested in
    knowing where that info came from as I do not want to endager my
    birds.
    
    		Thanks
    
    			Dora

    99.9% of Dutch home cages and aviaries have special avian white sand 
    on the bottom.
    Bird parks often use coarse gravel and some specialised breeders 
    have grass or river sand in their larger aviaries.
    Remember that bird-parks distinguish between breeding-stations and
    display cages. The cages on public must be esteatic, the
    breeding-station not, so try to get a peek in there and you'l see what
    suits the birds best, very often sand.
    
    Sandy advantages:
    - Contains all the neccessary grid/minerals
    - Will absorb most
    - Doesn't get sticky so will not cling to the birds' feet
    - Droppings can be easily monitored
    - Cheap and freely available, every petshop has a wide range over here
    - Smells nice because it's basically shell-sand
    - User friendly
    - Environmentally friendly
    
    The one disadvantage can be the dust that might occur if the birds flap
    their wings a lot and the cage is underdimensioned. 
    
    I have used several sorts of wood chippings, unprinted paper, newspaper 
    and all sorts of grid  but have switched to sand too and are convinced.
    Only in the travel cage do I use unprinted paper.
    I tidy up the cage daily, sive the sand weekly and replace it every other
    month. 
    
    Peter