Have you ever seen a bird (budgie) reach through the bars and eat the newspaper that lines the undertray?

Question

I've seen my birds do that a few times-is this normal? Will it harm them?

I don't know if they actually swallow it but I don't do scheduled feedings I l put 2 containers of fresh seed daily, I even dump out the uneaten seeds and they have 2 water containers and a birdbath. They also have candied papaya for birds that I got at the pet store and a bird seed stick with gummy assorted seeds and grains stuck to it-I'm not sure what it is -the staff at the pet shop says it's good for budgies and they love it. So they have all this stuff in their cage as well as toys. (2 swings, a bell, a ladder and a climb on toy) shouldn't that be enough to keep them busy? They also have ten perches and space to fly around (it's a huge cage) and there are four of them in there-so they have lots of company. :-) As far as I see they shouldn't need to eat the newspaper OR play with it.

Well since I moved from Durham to Toronto 22 years ago I have never seen a fruit tree in the city of Toronto. I don't even know where to find one but I guess I can drive up North to a farm and see if I can find one.

Oh lol my husband says he saw one eight years ago!! LMAO

Answer 1

It's no problem at all, my parakeets have been doing that for four years. They love to chew on things and their most favorite, paper, napkins, basically anything that's paperish. It's safe and it keeps them busy, even if they do have toys. I mean I've had toys for my birds, they do play, but they always go for the paper as well, so it's safe. Just don't let them do it too often. Oh yeah, one more thing that will be good for them is grit or small stones. It'll be good for them to eat as a good source of calcium. I don't buy it because I let them roam around outside (clipped wings) but you should try it. They natually pick things outside, so I don't worry. That's probably why they like the paper. (Try Petsmart or Animals & Things or wherever you bought your things from.)

Answer 2

"containers of fresh seed ...candied papaya... bird seed stick with gummy assorted seeds and grains stuck to it..."

Your birds are eating an unbalanced, nutritionally deficient diet. They eat seeds and sugar. Seeds are deficient in nutrients and sugar makes budgies (and children) so hyper they have been known to bounce off walls.

In nature small birds from arid climates, such as budgies, roll around, play in and eat in vegetation (called a "dew bath"). Offer them a "large-ish" shallow vessel containing dampened romaine lettuce and young tender dandilion leaves (obtainable in salad mixes at the grocery store), perhaps a little swiss chard, etc. Organic is best of course. They will have a blast and eat healthily and naturally. Begin feeding veggies like broccoil, shredded carrot. Veggies are more nutritionally dense than fruits. They also contain far less sugar than fruits. Replace almost all the seed with a quality pelleted diet like Harrison's. Only feed seed as a "treat"; once a day a offer a little and after an hour take what's left away. Time for fresh veggies again! Never feed those gooky, sugary, high-calorie things from the petstore. Feeding those to birds is like feeding cotton-candy to children: all day long for days on end. Also, the birds need little birdie TOYS, ladders, swings, etc. to occupy them. They need to chew: this is completely natural. Natural branches (non-toxic of course) should keep them occupied for ages: they will delight in chewing off the bark.

Answer 3

Yes, could be a sign of boredom. Try getting a few new toys for your feathered friend. Changing the toys occasionally can also help to prevent boredom. In the wild, birds sometimes shred the bark off tree's, if you have some pesticide free tree's nearby, especially fruit tree's try giving your budgie a perch he can shred.

Answer 4

Yep, seen it happen before. I don't know if it's 'normal' but it's not uncommon. And what a mess it makes! Have you seen them actually swallow it, or do they just tear it up? The ones I've seen just tear it up. If they are actually eating it, I'd discuss it with your vet. Do they have food at their disposal, or are they on scheduled feedings? Maybe try leaving some extra food out. Have you recently changed their food in any way? This may be their form of disapproving. Just some thoughts. Good luck!

Answer 5

Mine does this, has ruined some books :-(

I put paper near the cage so that it won't go after my book shelf.

Answer 6

mine do it all the time..lol