What Do You Give For Chewing?

[ima.snowbird 0]

I need some CHEAP ideas for chewing materials.

 

I purchased a really neat Bird Kabob,

http://www.petco.com/product/109263/Wesco-Bird-Kabob-Toys.aspx, I think it was about $5USD. That was Thursday. Today is Sunday and it's half gone! Well, not gone, all over the table and floor. I never dreamed it would be such a great hit. But I can't afford to keep them supplied with these.

 

What else is safe for them to chew? Did I see something about paper towel rolls? Toilet paper rolls? Seems like I saw that someone had covered in peanut butter and rolled in seed? But I can't find that post now.

 

I am going to my boyfriends this afternoon. Will take my pruners. He has mullberry trees that I can take some cuttings. According to my research they're safe. I think Sugar Maples are safe too??? I'm not thrilled with the bleaching/baking process to be sure I don't bring anything into the apartment, but I guess that's what I'll have to do.

[Jodie 0]

I give my guys toilet paper rolls cut in half so it rolls out flat (I worry that they'll get stuck in it)

Cardboard, plain paper, hay and natural branches most fruit trees are safe (there's a topic on here about safe branches)

I know your pain to I brought a swing made of wicker and my budgie had 6 chicks at the time and once they saw her chewing at it. They joined in. It was beautiful swing to *sniffles*

 

The problem about giving budgies things to distroy is that if they are female they may start exibiting nesting/mating behaiviour which if you dont want it is a bad thing.

But on the other hand it gives them heaps of fun!! (Even if it's a short time)

[*Nerwen* 0]

grass seeds and from my own backyard mostly - all free to give. Wet them for a bath moment too

 

personally i've never baked but the have only used wood from my own garden and bird are outside. i wash them and sun dry before adding to cage.

[ima.snowbird 0]

I wasn't thinking about chewing bringing the hen into breeding condition... or maybe I was subconsciously! Now is definitely not the time. I noticed yesterday that she doesn't have eye rings, so she's probably less than a year old. I'd like to wait at least until next summer for babies.

[Bird Junky 0]

Hi Buy a length pine wood, The cheap stuff in the DIY stores. Cut it into short lengths. It will last months....B.J.

[ima.snowbird 0]

That's what I use for their perches, they haven't tried chewing that. Maybe if it's at an angle where they're not sitting on it?

[Jodie 0]

Good for you realising that she is far to young to go into breeding condition. I mean as a baby she may just find it fun.

And branches they like to peel the bark off, I find it's more my girls than the boys that do it but they do chew branches. Good luck finding your perfect chew toy for your feathered guys.

 

Jodie.

[ima.snowbird 0]

She's too young to breed, but she IS in breeding condition, already was when I bought her. Her cere is brown. I've been worried that she might start laying, nest box or no.

[*Nerwen* 0]

don't worry about egg laying it doesn't happen often with out a box. if she does just remove them and be sure to offer calicum rish foods to keep her own supply up. egg with the shell mashed in with it and a cuttle bone are good.

 

Chewing and destroying thing is a natural behaviour for bird it helps their mind to be active and stress down. It far outweighs the small chance of her laying. Stressed birds can start to bully others, pluck feathers or other strange behaviours.

[ima.snowbird 0]

Thanks, Nerwen. That reassures me, that I'm doing the right thing for her.