Poop Paper Chewing

[cavinandhope]

Ok My macaw has learned to climb down his ladder at the top of his cage on his playground. So since this he is chewing his poop paper. I tell him no firmly but not harshly an clap my hands. He will stop For a few seconds then he goes back to doing it. After the third time I put him on a perch in our extra bathroom in the tub and shut the curton leave him there for 10 min. SO my question is: Are we performing the correct procedure to stop him and to teach him what NO means? Where we put him is the only place for Issolation we have. Then after getting him out after his time out. WHich I tell him Time out when putting him there. What do I need to do with him. Put him back up on his cage playground. My wife wants to hold him But I thought that would teach him (if I misbehave I go to timeout for a few but they will hold me afterwards..) Any suggestions?

[cavinandhope]

What does people think of the Corn Cob Bedding? Safe or Unsafe? The pet store said it was good and my vet said it was bad. What about other owners. I know I should listen to the vet But from what I know she doesn't own a Macaw. She said it was to dusty? So thats why I am asking you. Yall know what works better from expierence. Thanks everyone.

[plumasverdes]

Corn cob bedding is bad. Pet shops just want to sell you stuff. Why don't you remove the ladder that lets him reach the paper?

[peeker]

I agree...corn cob bedding is bad. You might try paper toys and other easy to chew and shred toys since your macaw seems to like it so much! :)) Maybe that will keep him from going down to the poopy paper.

[cavinandhope]

Originally Posted by plumasverdes

Corn cob bedding is bad. Pet shops just want to sell you stuff. Why don't you remove the ladder that lets him reach the paper?

Can't remove the ladder cause it was he uses to get out of his cage to the top of his cage to the play top. Plus it really wouldn't matter cause he can still wiggle his way down. I thought of that but saw he could still get down if he really wants to.
I have moved his toys up to where he wouldn't want to get down there to play with them. Tried to make it where he wouldn't want to get down there. He has plenty of toys up top to play with. He just wants that paper. LOL. Thought about what some have talked about using is the water gun.
Here is some pics of his playtop.

[kp_in_scott]

My macaws kept making such a mess with the paper on the play top that I just removed the tray, so that the poop just drops down through the grate. That way I only have one area to clean instead of 2. That is if I don't count the floor on the outside of the cage, because when they hang their butts over the side and poop on the floor anyway. Aaaahhhh, the joys of parronthood. :aiwebs_01

[Many Feathers]

I remove the top tray, too. It's the most logical solution.

[Adi]

If he likes to shred paper so much, try giving him an area on his play top with a roll of clean paper to shred. It might be a bit messy but at least it'll keep him busy and he won't be chewing the paper with poop on it.

[cavinandhope]

Ok that sounds pretty reasonable. But what about the poop falling on his toys in his cage. And his perch. Thats is the only reason I see that it is even there. But I don't know. I am new at this. Looking at all angles. Very good suggestion though. Will look into it.

[MorningShade]

I take out the tray too. Zach actually hates to poop in or on his cage. He'll avoid it at all costs if possible. He aims off the edge of the side of the cage so i never have to worry about him pooping onto toys or perches or anything. He actually holds his poop all night long till i let him out in the morning and he'll let out a few gigantic ones. I have to change the paper around his cage (with the skirt the cage was too big so i opted to remove it) more often then the paper in his cage.