Hi,

 

Ive got two books on budgie keeping one ive had for years and the other i bought recently. My original one (old faithfull) says that budgies need sandpaper in the bottom of the cage and the new one says its too harsh for their feet.

 

Does anyone know whether or not they are supposed to have it or if im to use something else?

 

Thanks, Sal.

Sand paper doesn't do harm to their feet, it also helps keep their claws trimmed.

To much sandpaper will grind the nails and feet down to dangerous levels.

i agree with adam in that i wouldnt use those sandpaper perch covers, but i think sand paper in the bottom would be okay so long as the bird(s) dont spend all day down there or something.

i use sandpaper as i believe that it is better than newspaper (inks). i leave toys and an extra seed pot on the cage floor so he sometimes does go down their. i would definitely not use sand paper perch covers though.

Thankyou everyone for your input. I would never use the perch covers as i raid my father in laws trees on a regular basis for perches, it was just the paper in the bottom i was unsure of. As the majority say yes i will go with that.

 

Thanks again.

Sandpaper - DON'T :fear

 

It gives them bumblefoot over time.

 

Modern newsprint doesn't use oil based inks anymore (the kind that used to leave your fingers black) and is just fine.

 

Better again - for pathogen control - is a wire mesh over the catch tray so they are not walking around in their own poop all the time.