My Cockatiel keeps biting his perches?

Question

I have wooden ones, and I think some plastic perches might help, but is there any other way?

I have a cuttlebone available for him, which he won't use and the perches are to the point of breaking in halves by themselves.

Answer 1

As some other people have said, he is probably sharpening his beak or is bored. I know you said he doesn't like the calcium kind, but I would recommend trying different kinds of those. They are healthy for birds if they eat them, and they are really hard, so it takes a long time for them to bite through them. I just did a quick search and saw this website for flavored calcium perches, maybe your bird will like those better!

Answer 2

Get a hard wood perch like manzanita from a reputable pet store. This will be safer for your cockatiel to chew and eat if he persists in doing so. But the harder wood will make it harder to eat then the soft wood often used with cheap perches (like those that come with a cage). You can try other perch materials. Rope perches will be also chewed but can be rearranged more easily due to their flexibility. This is important since cockatiels do get bored easily. So vary the layout of the cage and the toys you offer. But don't suddenly offer toys since cockatiels can be nervous and need to be introduced carefully to new toys or perches. Do no use the sand-paper covers for perches. The cockatiel will just eat those and they certainly aren't healthy. Instead, I would recommend the sea-shell or grit covered perches (sometime cement, sometimes plastic with a grit coating). This will allow your cockatiel to sharpen his beak and nails.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My Cockatiel keeps biting his perches?
I have wooden ones, and I think some plastic perches might help, but is there any other way?

Answer 4

sometimes birds do that because their beaks are getting to long or growing. My cockatiel does the same exact thing. I dont think you should get some plastic perches becuase it is not good for them if a peice that has been chewed off is swallowed. I would recomend to get some cuttle bone. that helped with my bird

Answer 5

Cockatiels will eat their perches if they are the paper sort that covers the wooden dowel. My recommendation is to provide other sources for the bird to chew, ie. toys, cuttle bone and the bird will be occupied. Birds like people can get bored so perhaps moving the cage to a more central location may socialize the bird so it is busy.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Hello. Your cockatiel may need chewing alternatives like toys of wood that hang inside the cage. You can string different colored non toxic wood with leather or basic twine.Have fun.

Answer 7

At least I no I'm not the only Bird Owner Who has a bird who eat there perches away , And Yes thank you I have to admit this Column Has helped me god bless .

Answer 8

he is probably telling you he is bored/

cockatiels like to socialize, and perhaps you need to add some toys to the cage

Answer 9

Lol he is playing. Thats wat my cockatiels do. Its normal for them to do that. He is just playing with it so dont worry about it. I think its a very attractive "toy" to them. Keep the wood ones, they are very good. Plastic ones are not good. This usualy also means that the cockatiel is fixing his place for himself to be more comfortable.

Answer 10

he's probably bored, or just sharpening his beak, tiels love to chew on things too, mine love to pick apart boxes, small cardboard,