2007-01-31 08:25:38 · 7 answers · asked by Leanne W 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I have a pigeon as a pet and I use pine needles for the substrate
in her cage. Pine needles allow the droppings to 'fall through' and they don't stick in a pile like they do with sawdust, or shredded paper. Straw and hay will begin to decompose when it gets wet... and it stinks! Pine needles have an antiseptic quality and wont allow rot. Trust me when I tell you "I've tried everything!"
I also have cockatoos.
Try the pine needles and see for yourself.
2007-02-03 18:24:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. I've used newspaper to line the cage for years, and none of the rats has had a problem with it yet. (I mostly use fleece bedding, but the rats do occasionally rip up the newspaper lining). Newspaper is usually safe, although the inks can rub off and make your rat look a little bit grungy. Most papers now use non-toxic vegetable or soy-based inks. It's rare for a rat to actually EAT his bedding. They do shred it and arrange it with their mouths, though, so best to stick to papers printed with vegetable inks. If in doubt, call the paper and ask-- it's a very common question and someone there will know. There are a couple of commercial recycled-newsprint beddings which you can buy at a larger pet store. I wouldn't use colored copier paper, glossy colored paper like junk mail, magazines, advertising supplements, etc., as it's harder to verify what kind of ink is used, and some of these papers also have special coatings that may irritate your rat.
2016-03-28 22:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fine shell grit, and hay/straw are best.
Don't use sawdust - it can hurt their feet sometimes. Avoid paper if you can as it's not natural.
Make sure the floor is flat and solid and has not got grills or bars on the bottom.
you could also ring your local bird sanctuary or zoo and ask them what they would use.
2007-01-31 09:49:52 · answer #3 · answered by Puss in Boots 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but the sawdust cannot be from plywood, as this contains toxic glue.
2007-01-31 11:59:03 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no saw dust as it will inhale it and mwke it sick and dirty so nothing powdery. straw is ok but it is very pokey use a softer drie grass thats the best even after mowing the lawn let the grass dry out and rake it up thats there favorite!!!
2007-01-31 10:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by Here i am 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sounds great. Be sure the materials are free of pests and use untreated wood. Have a tweet year.
2007-01-31 12:09:44 · answer #6 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course. Thats how they do it in the wild, isnt it?
2007-01-31 09:05:10 · answer #7 · answered by nelly♥............... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋