Hi Everyone.

 

I have a question here...what is the best lining for budgie cages? So far, I either use wood shavings or non at all which I will wash often. Again, I have read from somewhere that shavings aren't always the best lining for bird cage as it may emmit toxic fumes? Is it true? Does anyone knows about this?

 

Regards,

Potter

I wouldn't use wood shavings, I have heard that some of them have pretty strong fumes. They aren't even good to use for small animals like hamsters or gerbils (especially pine) so I wouldn't chance it with the birds either.

 

The best (cheapest) thing you can use are newspapers. Most newspapers use some sort of soy ink now but if you're not sure you can always call them up and ask. I also use paper towels.

oh no! strong fumes?!! I didn't know that!I would be glad to use newspaper but do you have to change it every day? It seems more dirty using newspaper and my budgie tend to eat her poop on newspaper then on shavings.

No matter what you use, you should change it every day. Newspaper doesn't get more messy, it just shows droppings better which is actually probably the number one drawback to using wood shavings. They hide droppings too well. You should always use something that allows you to easily monitor droppings as that can be the first sign of an illness.

 

If you have a problem with the budgie eating poop you could get a cage with a grate on the bottom? Sometimes eating poop is also a sign of a nutritional deficiency though. Does she have a mineral block or cuttlebone?

Yes there is a cuttlebone in her cage and she gets fresh vege everyday but I didn't give her fruits anymore simply because she doesn't eat them and seem to prefer vegetables.And she gets spray millets too and sprouts from all kinds of beans and seeds which I grow myself.

The biggest problem with wood shavings is that often they are pine that have been treated (with arsenic)! Other than that, if you can get wood shavings that haven't been treated, I shouldn't think they are a problem. It's just that you can't be sure...

Good old fashioned newspaper, or plain white kitchen paper towellin, and you wont go far wrong. Despite some fears about newspaper ink, the dangerous chemicals in the original ink are killed off in the heating/printing process. Glossy magazines etc, maybe not so safe. But your basic pages from your local rag? yeah, no problem

thanks! i think i will stick to the old newspaper!

I stick with this inkless paper its just paper but really big and its perfect

I have a very economic and easy way - buy a roll of lining paper (plain wallpaper to be painted), cut it to size and line the cage with it. Its very cheap, easy, no toxic stuff and goes a looooong way!