Alphafa or timothy hay

[Just5398]

Are any of these things okay for our Greys? I was at the pet store this morning and they had a wire cage stuffed with this stuff and thought that maybe Merlin (CAG) might enjoy something like that. If the hay isn't good then maybe news papers would work just the same.

Thanks!!
Sally

[Mike B]

What are you looking to do with it? Actually I wouldn't use it at all. You never know what kind of critters have been in it. There would be no way to sterilize it. If your looking for something for him to shred newspapers are great. Cut about 1" strips, and attach them to the cage w/ clothes pins. Not the clothes pins w/ the wire though.

Mike

[Vega]

Or you can lace the paper through the cage bars, that makes my babies crazy and keeps the entertained!

[Just5398]

Thanks, I'll stick with news papers.
Sally

[Lisa B]

yes, sorry for the delay, I am at work and had to wait for lunch to respond.....
I would stay clear of the stuff you mentioned....stay with blackand white newspapers of I give mine papertowels(white only) and let them have at it!!!

how are things goin?

[cpryslek]

paper towels are great,too. sassy,my bh caique) will just go spaztic ove a paper towel. she'll do the tumbling rolls and summersults.when i want to wear her down,i know what will work. she even cover herself with the paper towel. just away to funny to watch.

[pinkparrot]

alfahfa is good for them to eat.

ALFALFA--The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene. It alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver, and it contains an anti-fungal agent. It is an excellent appetite stimulant and overall tonic and an excellent source of chlorophyll and vitamins. Treating with alfalfa leaves is perfectly safe, but alfalfa seeds contain a slightly toxic amino acid unless used in sprouted form. I keep a shaker of chopped organic alfalfa leaves and use it on my parrots' soft food mix twice a week.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by pinkparrot

Treating with alfalfa leaves is perfectly safe, but alfalfa seeds contain a slightly toxic amino acid unless used in sprouted form. .

thanks for the info...but if she was to buy if from the pet store, it would have the seeds still on it, correct? I have not bought it before, so I dont know the correct answer to her question.....I would still think the one bought at a pet store would not be safe?

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

thanks for the info...but if she was to buy if from the pet store, it would have the seeds still on it, correct? I have not bought it before, so I dont know the correct answer to her question.....I would still think the one bought at a pet store would not be safe?

I agree Lisa, where would you buy it? I've never seen it, but then again I've never looked for it.

Mike

[bustersbuddy]

We need more information here before anyone says this is safe or not. If this is a dried alfalfa or a dried hay product then it is absolutely NOT, repeat NOT safe for bird use! Dried grasses that are baled or tied into bundles can carry aspergillus spores and birds should not be exposed to them. They are almost impossible to sterilize with any degree of certainty.

Fresh alfalfa sprouts or freshly mown stems are safe for consumption provided they are well washed and thorougly cleaned before use and provided that no commercial pesticides were used on the alfalfa prior to harvest. Sprouts produced for human use are safe but should be washed with a good vegetable wash before serving them, particularly if they were sprouted in those little plastic containers. The root zone and the stems can carry a pretty hefty bacterial load by the time they have set around the store for a couple of days. Trader Joe's carries a very good vegetable wash that we use for our own veggies and for Buster's veggies and sprouts. Since I sprout her seed mix myself, I am always careful to wash it thoroughly every morning at harvest. Even though it is sprouted on sterile filter paper in clean dishes, bacteria can and probably is present.

Hopefully, the original poster can clarify what type of product they were talking about and go from there.