Seagrass snuggle hut

[TacoNTiki]

We were at petland this afternoon and found that prevue makes a seagrass snuggle hut! I was thrilled because I wanted to get Tiki a snuggle hut but was afraid that he would get injured by it. I am hoping that the seagrass is safe. Does anybody have any experience with it? He took to it like a fish to water and loves it. However, he does like to chew it. Is it safe for them to chew on seagrass? I don't think he eats it.

Also, since I don't know for sure if Tiki is male or female, what should I know about hormones and snuggle huts for conures? Would like to hear what the experts here think about snuggle huts and behavioural problems. Thx

 

[jiannotto9492]

I've heard too many stories to ever consider getting a snuggle hut. It's pretty easy for a bird to get caught up in them so if I were you I would avoid it.

 

[TacoNTiki]

Yes me too. But the stories I have heard are due to the threads coming loose and strangling the birds. This one has no threads. The seagrass are long strips held on by stainless steel wire. Maybe there have been accidents with this type as well and that's why I am posting on here to see if anyone has heard of any. I can't provide a working link to click on, but if you copy the URL below, hopefully you can see the product. Thanks and hope I get lots of replies because I don't want to see any harm to tiki by using it and I am using it because I can't think of how he could get tangled with it and the only question I have is if he can ingest too much seagrass and impact himself. Although they chew everything so I am confused because logically they can impact on anything they chew, so do we not give them anything to chew on?

Sea Grass Snuggle Hut 62811 Prevue Pet Products

 

[jiannotto9492]

If one of those strands get loose I can see them getting strangled as well. Not only that the means to hanging it alone makes me not want to buy it. A bird can easily get caught in those strings. I also have heard stories where the way the bird sits in them makes them aggressive due to a rise in hormone levels. I thought about getting one but I chose to be safe and prevent any mishaps.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I use seagrass mats for all my guys (and girl) and they all love them. Never had any issues with 'strings' or tangling. However, I don't use the one you showed, here are the ones I get for my fids (and then 'decorate' them):

SEAGRASS MATS

 

[thekarens]

Seagrass mats are fine. My sennies and linnies love them.

I would expect your baby will eventually chomp through it

 

[jiannotto9492]

I would trust the mats a whole lot more than one of the huts. But once again I would inspect it when I clean the cage like I do with everything else.

 

[TacoNTiki]

Seagrass mats are fine. My sennies and linnies love them.

I would expect your baby will eventually chomp through it

So do you think the one I got is fine... being that it isn't a "mat". Yes, I am sure Tiki will chew through it eventually!

I originally went to Petland to see if I can find a mat to convert into a hammock but they didn't have any mats and then I found this one. I hung it differently then shown so Tiki will not have access to the "hoop" and nothing to stick his head through. I don't think he will swallow the seagrass. I often see remnants of things he has chewed, so I think he spits things out.

 

[TacoNTiki]

I would trust the mats a whole lot more than one of the huts. But once again I would inspect it when I clean the cage like I do with everything else.

May I ask why you would trust the mats more than the hut ? I am trying to educate myself as much as possible. Thx.

 

[TacoNTiki]

Prevue Sea Grass Snuggle Hut | Pet Bird Nests & Nesting from DrsFosterSmith.com

Here's a link to another ad for the seagrass hut. I am trying to research to make sure it is safe for Tiki to chew and use.

 

[jiannotto9492]

The huts has those strings from the quick links to the hut that a bird can get caught up in when your bird decides to use it as a swing which I can almost guarantee will happen (the using it as a swing part). The hut has the bird going into and from what I've read up on causes hormonal aggression.

Where as the mat the worse case is that your bird rips it up and gets caught up in the toy. Which can of course happen with any toy. So of course both the mat and hut would have to be inspected as with any toy. Now if you want something with more of a surface for your bird to hang out on I would recommend a corner perch like the following:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Hendryx-3100B-Corner-Shelf/dp/B000FHEUBI/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1436196770&sr=1-5&keywords=corner+perch"]Amazon.com: Prevue Hendryx 3100B Cage Corner Shelf, Black: Pet Supplies[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-BPV3300-Laddered-Platform/dp/B004130RSM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1436196770&sr=1-1&keywords=corner+perch]Amazon.com : Prevue Pet Products BPV3300 Wood Corner Shelf Laddered Platform for Bird Cages, 7 by 7-Inch : Perches For Birds : Pet Supplies[/ame]


I'm probably a little more cautious with my birds than most people are. I vinegar wash everything before my birds come in contact with them. This includes the cages. I also do a vinegar wash once a week. Along with doing daily cleaning of the grate and tray. My food and water dishes cleaned out and rinsed with vinegar everyday.

But I've seen and heard plenty to make me be this cautious. Whether it be hard metal poisioning from new cages or toys or even birds choking on toys. I've heard of owners getting respiratory infections from not cleaning the cage enough (Bird fancier's lung as they call it).

Of course I do all of this in the best interest of my birds as I wouldn't want anything bad happening to them.

 

[rosembers]

Hey everyone! Check this out! Safe alternative to snuggle huts! They have various brands, but I use one that I heard about from a bird lady who contacted the manufacturer and asked questions and felt it was 100% bird safe (also tons of parrot people have started using these and no issues). It's Critters Choice small animal CHUBE. Kaytee also makes one. I order the Critter's Choice Chube on Amazon (size XLarge or Giant are perfect for Green Cheek Conures - they're not as big as you'd think so be sure to check the dimensions). Here's why I like these: they're made of safe vegetable parchment that's intended to be chewed (our GCC likes to sleep in hers and also has fun chewing one of the sides). They provide a "snuggle hut" type of bed without fabric dangers for crop impaction, strangulation or entanglement. They are not as fluffy/cozy as a traditional fabric hut so they don't resemble as much of a "nest" which can cause hormonal issues for your bird (hormonal behavior issues and also potential to become egg-bound) but they still provide a nice, SAFE place to sleep at night and feel secure. I will be a forever customer of CHUBES! Try it and please post what you think! Some people even drill holes in them and attach homemade toys. And no dangers of getting stuck in small holes like the seagrass mesh! Check out this website, it has a lot of useful info http://www.pine4parrots.co.uk/Pages/Chube.aspx