Corn Cob, Newspaper...what else?

[nmrspindoc]

A few of my bird cages have top play areas. I don't like to use newspaper on there because I've caught the tiels either eating/chewing the newspaper or chewing the poop off it.

I kind of don't like corn cob bedding because it gets thrown everywhere and the birds are always munching on it...or at least throwing it around.

So, what are my other options? Is there any bedding you love? Tell me about it!

[Lisa B]

no corn cob...it harbors mold spores that cause aspergillosis.
I just use newspaper. easy to change and cheap.

[nmrspindoc]

It's that bad, the corn cob bedding? I'll get rid of it ASAP.

I thought myself pretty well-informed. Never heard of that...that's why I'm here! =)

[Michelle & Fids]

Originally Posted by nmrspindoc

It's that bad, the corn cob bedding? I'll get rid of it ASAP.

I thought myself pretty well-informed. Never heard of that...that's why I'm here! =)

Corn Cob - Once ingested, corn cob can remain in the body for years before causing illness or death. Ingested corn cob absorb moisture and swell, which can cause impaction, bleeding and death. Baby birds can also develop bacteria and yeast infections from the ingested material. When wet or in humid climates, cob can grow Aspergillus molds which cause a respiratory disease in birds. This disease is difficult to treat and can be fatal. The cob will also absorb moisture from your bird's droppings, promoting growth of organisms and hiding loose poops. It's a poor material for examining droppings.

[Michelle & Fids]

For safety you are far best using a paper product.If you don't like the newspaper you can try brown paper bags,paper towels,etc.I know a couple people who use reg. cloth towels.You can shake the loose stuff in to the trash and then launder the towels.I'm a newspaper girl myself.You might want to check into it,but I know some where I read if they are eatting their droppings,they are missing something in their diet.

[Rach]

Originally Posted by Michelle & Fids

Corn Cob - Once ingested, corn cob can remain in the body for years before causing illness or death. Ingested corn cob absorb moisture and swell, which can cause impaction, bleeding and death. Baby birds can also develop bacteria and yeast infections from the ingested material. When wet or in humid climates, cob can grow Aspergillus molds which cause a respiratory disease in birds. This disease is difficult to treat and can be fatal. The cob will also absorb moisture from your bird's droppings, promoting growth of organisms and hiding loose poops. It's a poor material for examining droppings.

Just wanted to add that the above information comes from Winged Wisdom Magazine. Bird Cage Liners: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

[jriley]

As long as you use black and white newspaper, it doesn't harm your bird to chew on it. I give Molly old phone books to destroy for fun. As far as I can tell, she doesn't actually eat the paper, she just shreds it. If you change it daily, there isn't time for much poop to accumulate and you can even slide a layer on top of a dirty layer during the day and then take them off later. I usually put three layers on Molly's playtop and if the top layers gets yuck during the day I can pull off that layer and still have good paper underneath.

[Sally]

I like paper towels to line the cage. Nice and clean looking. Some are so pretty too! I put them under play gym areas too.

[Bonesy]

Newspaper all the way, as long as it's not coloured, it's of no harm. I mist sheets after they are laid to make them sit easier and the birds feel less urge to chew and tear them.

[tielmama]

I use thin white cardboard sheets that line packing cartons where I used to work. I'm retired now, but I still have friends that will save it for me. It is the greatest! There is no print on it, and it is very clean because of the nature of work I used to do. When people come over and see my cages, they think they look immaculate! That is, if I change them right before they come. hehe I don't know where you could get anything like that, but it's great. You can get rolls of butcher paper or craft paper on the internet. If you don't have many cages, it wouldn't be too expensive.
By the way, none of my birds pick at their own droppings. Even my dogs leave them alone. I would research that in case it is something like Michelle said.