Cage Bar Chewing, behaviour and rust

[frlrubett]

Senegal Parrot 15+ years old. Happy Bird, sociable 1 hour minimum out out of cage time a day

Ever since he was a baby he has loved to chew things which make noise. Some toys he loved to scrape the plastic, there was a perch which he could get at the washer and he loved scraping that and more recently he has found the cage to chew on. His current cage is powder coated and he resisted having a go at it for a while but then started to pick at the powder coating. I email the manufacturer who told me that it was a parrot safe, non-toxic cage. Phew.

Despite that, when I cleaned last week there was rust developing. Quickly called the shop who said that material was steel - searched this forum and as I expected rust is not the best for parrots. How bad are we talking here?

I live in a small flat, in an attic space. The only place which does not have built in furniture is the corner he is housed in. The cage he is in, is perfect for the corner so I am inclined to buy the same cage again. I could get a smaller cage which does not fit the corner but I don't want him to down size after all these years.

A few questions.

1. Is this a behavioural issue? I have noticed that when he starts to scrape his food bowl is empty and have been waiting till the scraping stops to fill the bowl.

2. Is he bored, he gets out of cage time, new toys. Toys to shred etc but just LOVES to go at the cage. What else can be done?

3. Could I DIY the cage and sort the rust out myself, I have seen a few thing written about this but is that practical in the long run. I would prefer to spend money rather than mess around with the health of the bird.

Thanks

 

[noodles123]

Senegal Parrot 15+ years old. Happy Bird, sociable 1 hour minimum out out of cage time a day

Ever since he was a baby he has loved to chew things which make noise. Some toys he loved to scrape the plastic, there was a perch which he could get at the washer and he loved scraping that and more recently he has found the cage to chew on. His current cage is powder coated and he resisted having a go at it for a while but then started to pick at the powder coating. I email the manufacturer who told me that it was a parrot safe, non-toxic cage. Phew.

Despite that, when I cleaned last week there was rust developing. Quickly called the shop who said that material was steel - searched this forum and as I expected rust is not the best for parrots. How bad are we talking here?

I live in a small flat, in an attic space. The only place which does not have built in furniture is the corner he is housed in. The cage he is in, is perfect for the corner so I am inclined to buy the same cage again. I could get a smaller cage which does not fit the corner but I don't want him to down size after all these years.

A few questions.

1. Is this a behavioural issue? I have noticed that when he starts to scrape his food bowl is empty and have been waiting till the scraping stops to fill the bowl.

2. Is he bored, he gets out of cage time, new toys. Toys to shred etc but just LOVES to go at the cage. What else can be done?

3. Could I DIY the cage and sort the rust out myself, I have seen a few thing written about this but is that practical in the long run. I would prefer to spend money rather than mess around with the health of the bird.

Thanks

"I have noticed that when he starts to scrape his food bowl is empty and have been waiting till the scraping stops to fill the bowl.":---I am not sure I understand...I would strongly suggest you NOT do this.

How much time does he get out of his cage? What is his sleep schedule (wake-ups/sleep/ hours)?

How is the lighting?

How is his cage environment/cage size?

Paints/fumes/varnishes etc could never be safely used around a bird or under their beaks, as they do chew and would ingest the chemicals...YES, there are some "bird safe" paints out there, but they are sketchy at best and certainly still require time to cure away from the bird...and 99% will fail against that beak unless seriously specialized in nature.

 

[Flboy]

Hi! Bar chewing is normal! Rust is a killer! So is repainting!

 

[frlrubett]

"I have noticed that when he starts to scrape his food bowl is empty and have been waiting till the scraping stops to fill the bowl.":---I am not sure I understand...I would strongly suggest you NOT do this.

No, he scrapes the bar and I avoid filling immediately so there not a habit forming that he chews the cage for attention.

How much time does he get out of his cage? What is his sleep schedule (wake-ups/sleep/ hours)?

8am to 10pm usually awake. Might invest in a better cover to get more sleep. Time out of cage is 1hour + per day pending work schedule.

How is the lighting?

Bright naturally lit room.

How is his cage environment/cage size?

In a cage recommended for African Grey sized bird.

 

[1oldparroter]

Sounds like a stainless steel cage is your only real option. More chew toys and foraging toys wont hurt. jh

 

[LaManuka]

Euurrghhh...cage shopping can be SO depressing!!! They just don't seem to make 'em like they used to, especially if you have a habitual bar-chewer. I bought two brand new cages about 2 years ago, and my little tiny (think smaller than a budgie!) purple crowned lorikeet managed to chew a big chunk of the powder coating off the OUTSIDE of my cockatiel's cage when she was desperately trying to get in there and eat his breakfast! Naturally I hit the panic button and ordered me some stainless steel ones and I have not had to think about that particular problem ever again They certainly are not cheapy-cheap but for peace of mind and no more issues with wonky powder coating or corrosion they're worth it!

 

[frlrubett]

New cage purchased, collecting tomorrow. Will try some new toys, rotate the cage more often and increase out of cage time. Cage also has a play station on top which could be a nice change of scenery for him.