What Do You Use To Line Your Cage Bottoms?

[Mrs.Birdy]

I was using newspapers, with a grate over the pull out tray. Last week I was in a great local pet store and the manager told me about CareFresh. It is basically litter made of sanitized wood pulp waste (non toxic)

I was skeptical because I heard of birds ingesting litter and getting sick (the wood shavings kind), so he told me if I have a grate over it there is little chance of the birds getting to it and if they ingest a little, there are virtually no effects.

Also, he said it absorbs most of the droppings, food, water, etc., and it naturally deodorizes, so I won't have to change and clean the tray everyday.

Well, it has been over a week now and I only changed the litter twice. The cages (I have 3) are fresh and clean everyday with this litter.

Question: Does anyone else use this method. I hated changing wet, dirty newspapers every day if not twice a day.

It's a little pricey, but it makes my life a lot easier these days.

:)

[Jenny]

I stick with newspaper- it might be extra work, but it's cheaper! The CareFresh sounds great though.

[sleeepy2]

my vet told me alot of the pellet or wood shaving litter is a great breeding ground for harmful bacteria, so be careful.

[birdygirl]

Newspaper for Sophie's cage and paper towels for Pumpkins cage. That way I watch the poop and notice any thing abnormal.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Sleepy2: Thanks for the warning... I will check further into it.

Birdygirl: Good point about watching for any abnormal droppings.

Thanks guys!

[birdygirl]

Also on the woodshavings and pellets. Even with a grate a bird can still get into it. The woodshavings can kill a bird if ingested.

[Mrs.Birdy]

OK. Also, let me explain that Carefresh is not wood shavings or pellets. The manufacturer says it is sanitized wood pulp which reduces bacteria.

But...we can't believe all that manufacturers say....and I will take all advice seriously and look into it more myself, too.

The petstore manager says they use this exclusively for all their birds and have not had problems.....but then again, I am not so sure!

Thanks

[Jenny]

Just a comment, a little bit of shavings or paper in a birds crop isn't going to be a problem- it'll digest like everything else. It's only if the bird was ingesting large amounts that you should be worried. We sell the CareFresh bedding at my vet clinic, and they recommend it to people alot.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks Jenny....that's just what I need to hear. By the way, how often is it safe to change.....like every 3rd day ok. Or, should it be changed every day. I am worried about bacteria.

Thanks for the advice. I try to keep their cages extremely clean and bacteria free.:)

[Amanda]

I also use newspaper ... because I also look at the droppings to see if there are any changes ... and it's cheaper.

[Mrs.Birdy]

I am a little unsure of the new CareFresh....I hear pros and cons.

I may return to the good old newspapers.....

:confused:

[birdgirl]

I like to use news paper.

[JSimko]

I only use news paper.

[Jenny]

Mrs. Birdy: what are the pro's and con's that you've heard?

[Mrs.Birdy]

JENNY, The pros are ease of use (doesn't have to be changed everyday), greater absorption, sanitized for less chance of bacteria, deordorizes, etc.

The cons, from what some have told me, is the bird can ingest some, bacteria build-up, can't monitor the droppings, and expense, etc.

I would like to believe the manufacturer about the bacteria thing, but I am always so worried. Maybe I will return to using newspapers.

[monty's Mom]

I had been using wood shavings (the same kind as you would use for rabbits etc.) with a grid for the last 3 years with no harm, but recently switched to newspaper. The only difference is that I have to chage the bottom of the cage more often now, but it is easier. I am using shavings for the Rosella I am keeps temporarily, could this be a problem as there is no grid?

The handy thing about using the shavings under the grid is that you can remove the food or "poop" soiled shavings every day but change the lot once every 4/5. Using newspapers is more economical.

Rae

[Mrs.Birdy]

Thanks for the advice Rae.

I also have a grid in my birds' cages. I also try to scoop off any debris everyday and change the whole tray every 3rd day or so.

If I weren't such a worry wart about bacteria, I would probably relax and keep using the Carefresh. I still haven't made up my mind.

I find it easier not to change dirty newspapers everyday, so that justifies the extra expense for me. Anything that makes life easier for me is worth the extra $$$.
But the bacteria thing drives me nuts.

Oh my, what a dilemma.



:confused:

[monty's Mom]

Mrs. Birdy,

To move from the point, I see you are in NJ. I spent a really good summer in Del Haven there in 1995 (between Wildwood and Cape May) and worked on the Cape May - Lewes ferry. Are you living anywhere near?

Rae

[Mrs.Birdy]

rae:
We live at the Jersey Shore, approx. 65 miles north of Cape May. I've been here for about 26 years and love it. So does my family (2 children and Husband). My husband works in Atlantic City. Have you been there.

Also, we love to visit the Cape May Zoo...there are many exotic birds there. Cape May is also a great place to go antiquing and sightseeing if you like to look at victorian homes.

I wish I could say I have visited Ireland, but I haven't, although I have heard it is a very beautiful country and very green.

Talk soon,

Roseanne

[monty's Mom]

Mrs. Birdy,

Yes, parts of Ireland are quite lovely, but unfortunately it is becoming an increasingly expensive country to live in. We were planning a vacation to the USA this year, but haven't booked anything yet. Hopefully we will take a trip in September.

Looking at NY and Florida, any recommendations?

Rae

[Mrs.Birdy]

DISNEY WORLD, ORLAND FLA., It's great if you haven't already been there. We try to go every other year.

New York city is very exciting, that's where I grew up, and has become very expensive to visit. New York State is very scenic and you should contact the Greater New York chamber of commerce to have them send you a travel brochure, you can do this online.

Wherever you go, hope you enjoy your stay.

When my husband and I retire (we're in our 40's), we will do some overseas traveling, hopefully Italy first (the land of our ancestors), then England/Ireland or
Spain. Right now we are paying my daughters huge college tuition and my son's private school tuition. When, they're done, off we'll go. (it's so nice to dream)

[monty's Mom]

We were in Rome this year on a rugby trip (Ireland Vs Italy). It is fantastic. I will definately go back, food great, natives surprisingly friendly & great city in general.

As it is past 1am here I must retire, busy day tomorrow. Great to get the feedback and will visit often.

I will let y'all know how I get on with Joe, the rosella. I am getting far too attached which is a very dangerous thing!! But at the same time I know he will be far happier in an aviary with other birds of his breed.

Good night to you all (or should I say good morning).

Rae

[Mrs.Birdy]

Sweet dreams.

You are 5 hours ahead of us.

Talk soon.;)

[Redstorm1721]

To the question asked about wood shavings . I would be kinda scared to use anything but news paper. Reason being, is so that I can always check their poop. This is a way to tell if they are not ill. Its really hard to see their poop on shaving of anything? Just a thought.

[birdygirl]

Also if a bird ingest a wood shving It can kill them. And birds can reach things through grates.
Allison

[Amanda]

That's true about birds being able to reach through the grates. My lovebird is constantly shredding paper right now and somehow he/she (not DNA-sexed, so I'm not sure of gender) manages to shred the newspaper at the bottom of the cage. It's really quite amazing how he (or she?) can reach it and shred it ALL.:rolleyes:

[birdygirl]

They are resourceful birds. My budgie has no grates for her cage because she loves to forage for food. Sophie has grates but she can get the good stuff through it.

[birdygirl]

They are resourceful birds. My budgie has no grates for her cage because she loves to forage for food. Sophie has grates but she can get the good stuff through it.
Allison
My parrot has two hearts. One is mine.
:) :)

[Redstorm1721]

You know news paper shreading is very good for our feathered friends. I weave new paper in the bars of the cage for all my birds and they love to shread them. it is play time for them and not harmfull. "Mrs. Birdy" I also line my trays with news paper and I use at least 3 sheets on the bottom of the ones who are the messest. when I clean the cage" every other day" the bottom is never wet. its the 3 sheets piled up on the bottom and its always dry. So I only have to clean the tray. Maybe more paper for your beautiful flock? I know cleaning everyday can be a pain in the @#$$

[Mrs.Birdy]

CareFresh is recycled wood pulp, the stuff they use to make paper. It is supposed to be safe if ingested.

I am going to use up the quantity I bought and see how it goes....I may go back to newspapers or I thought about buying some brown wrapping paper or butchers paper by the roll, it looks affordable.

[Amanda]

Mrs.Birdy, does Marcel like to spend time at the bottom of his cage? Rio hardly goes down there. Actually, the only time I see her at the bottom of her cage is when she accidentally falls off her swing or whenever she tries to be super acrobatic and fails :(

[birdygirl]

Sophie never goes down to bottom of her cage unless she dropped some peice of really scrumtious food.(gram crackers, or nutra berries) That is it. Never unless she ate all her food in her dish and she decides she can get extra seed by walking on the ground for food.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Must be a Pionus thing. Marcel doesn't hang out at the bottom of the cage. Only to retrieve a piece of food.

:)

[birdygirl]

Weird.

[Amanda]

Hey, maybe the three of us just discovered one of those "pionus specialties" .... like the "pionus wheeze" and the "pionus smell". So, what should we call this one? :)

[birdygirl]

The pionus forage??

[Redstorm1721]

2 of mine, sit and play at the bottom. But again they are still baby's. I think its so cute. They both look for food and toys that might have fell.

[Amanda]

Redstorm, do you have Pionuses too? What kind are they?

[birdygirl]

Do you???

[Redstorm1721]

Oh No sorry,I have the tiel and Parrot But they sit on the bottom of the cage to play and sorts.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Amanda:

Maybe you, birdygirl and I can start a Pionus research team.

:D

[birdygirl]

That would be fun. Especially since we each have different species of pionus. We could figure out their similarities.

[Amanda]

That would be an awesome job ... wouldn't it be? Working with our FIDS ... :D

[Mrs.Birdy]

Amanda: Are you aware of this website:

www.pionusparrot.com

The breeder believes as I do, and Birdygirl will agree, that pionus parrots need more exposure. Too few people know about them and their endearing traits. It's fun to go through the site and is packed with great info.

Pi's are beautiful parrots.....every one of them.

[Amanda]

Thanks for that website, Mrs.Birdy. I'm going to check it out. I love reading ALL I can about birds (all kinds ... but especially the Pionus because they do not have much exposure to the public, therefore, not much info is available).

[dlaura]

Hi Everyone,
Enjoyed the discussion you are having about the Pionus! Keep on educating us.

[birdygirl]

Yes they do. I bring Sophie to lot of places and that helps give pionus exposure, but only locally.

[parrotboy]

I use newpaper as its cheap, easy to get hold of and the birds luv shreding it!! dont use pellets as they can get eaten then blote up inside the bird causing tremendous pain then death!!

but i dunno about using sand as parrots dunt realy seem to be bothered and take notice about sand!!

[Mrs.Birdy]

I only use the Carefresh litter in Marcel's and Snicker's cages because they have a grate over the tray and those two never show any interest in going down to pick at the litter. But as soon as I finish the quanity I have, I may return to using newspapers as a matter of cost.


I continue to use newspaper for the budgies because they don't have a grate at present and they are always playing and picking things at the bottom.