Cage liner question

[Jan Pope]

Hello Hello, I have a 1 yr old B&G named Tiki. I am wondering about the different cage liners out there for birds. When I use news paper she shreds and throws it out of her cage. They were using corn cob liner where I got her. My understanding is that the corn cob can be dusty. Sooooo, any thought on crushed walnut shells as cage liner. Does anyone use this for their fid?? She is out of her cage most of the day but will tear up the upper level as well as inside the cage. I am just curious as to know if anyone uses it and if there could be any health issues with using it.

[DarwinTheSun]

yes, crushed walnut is very bad for birds (if your bird can get to it that is). As far as I know it is just as bad if not worse than corn cob. Corn cob can get moldy, and walnut shell impacts the gut. Do you have a grate on the bottom?

I also think that any of those litters are bad in the sense that they don't get cleaned as often as they should. Poo and dropped food can easily accumulate because it is a pain to change (not to mention expensive).

I used to use newspaper, but for a variety of reasons switched to fleece. I cut them out to fit the bottom and then change them every other night or so, then throw them all in the laundry once a week or so. It is easy, but also not something I could fully recommend without a grate. Here is a pic...

[RomeoBG]

I'm using the crushed walnut. I use a grated scoop that allows me to grab all the food/poop but leave the shell behind. I'll clean it out every day or two. I've yet to see any signs of the bird trying to eat any of the shell. He's always more interested in his food dish. If he drops anything like half a walnut down there he doesn't even go for it.

[DarwinTheSun]

That seems dangerous to me, and I am not willing to chance my birds life.

Here is a quote from Parrots Senegals Amazons Lovebirds at Parrot Parrot, it is a great site that lists many dangers to parrots.

Bedding and Cage Litter
Do not use walnut shell litter or corn cob litter for the bottom of your birds' cages. If they ingest these materials they can die. There have been reports of sudden deaths among macaws, amazons, and other parrots, including a baby senegal. In the case of the baby senegal, the owner thought the parents could not reach the bedding through the grating on the bottom of the cage. They must have been able to reach it and fed the walnut shells to the baby. In documented cases, necropsy showed bleeding in the bowel and accumulation of the bedding in the gizzard. Also, do not use cedar bedding. It is hazardous to birds. Pine bedding shows the fewest problems, but make absolutely sure your bird is not eating it. Carefresh supposedly is okay if ingested, but has to be changed regularly even if it appears dry as it can harbor bacteria.

[Monica]

I suggest reading this article....

Winged Wisdom Magazine. Bird Cage Liners: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly