Help! Cage chewing??

[paper_lantern]

Chubby has a ton of toys, perches, and attention. Today I was cleaning his cage and I noticed that it looked chewed in one particular spot, like the coating on the cage was missing. I recently spent a lot of money on this large cage and now I'm freaking out because I'm wondering if this could be dangerous. How do I stop him from chewing the bars in that spot? Is this powder coating deadly? I haven't noticed any health changes, his weight and appetite are healthy. I just can't afford a whole new stainless steal cage right now. I'm feeling overwhelmed and scared

[Michael]

I've heard of neurotic cage bar chewing/licking behavior before. It's not considered dangerous for them the chew on the powder coat but it isn't good either. I'd replace the cage with aluminum. That way it's definitely safe and the bird can't actually chew anything off. So if it's learned behavior, the fun of breaking pieces off will self-destruct.

Kings Cages makes a good aluminum cage. The advantage of one of these is that you get it once and for all (unlike the painted or powder coated ones). For a GCC, this may be too expensive and too big. A sneaky low cost option is to get the huge aluminum travel cage and use it as a regular cage for the small bird. The only disadvantage is that it's not on a stand. Buy a cheap table for it and you're set. That travel cages is actually a heck of a lot bigger and better than a lot of powder coat cages for that kind of money and parrot.

I have the bigger version of that cage and smaller version of that travel cage and am happy with them.

[paper_lantern]

Thanks Michael! I wouldn't mind getting a huge cage for Chubby, he is worth the investment. Are you sure there is no danger in aluminum cages? That's what I had considered before the powder coated one but I had read somewhere it was dangerous is they chew it.

[Michael]

I've seen nothing like that. But here's what I think:

A) Aluminum is tough, especially for a small bird so he's not gonna be getting pieces off of it
B) The only danger I could foresee is to the cage. If the cage is anodized aluminum and the bird chews off the anodized parts, the aluminum is left exposed to corrosion.

But in the years I've had Truman's aluminum cage, he's done absolutely nothing to it. For a GCC, the bars would appear humongous and super thick. My friend with the Senegal that licks off powder coat got the aluminum cage to replace it. The bird didn't stop the behavior but it did stop breaking bits off. For a bird that is doing it for fun and not because of some kind of abnormality, the toughness of aluminum should be enough to discourage it.

In some rare cases it could have something to do with a mineral deficiency or something so you may want a vet check if it's really serious.

[paper_lantern]

Thanks Michael! The $700-something cage on the website you gave me looks great! I will start saving up ASAP, do you think it's safe to keep him in the cage I have now while I save a little? Like I said it's not very extensive, it seems to be concentrated to one corner. I wish there was a way to discourage his behavior while I save!

[Michael]

There is one supposed thing that can help with that which I've heard of but I honestly can't support/dismiss it as I've never used it. I got it for my friend with the cage licking Senegal but I'm not sure what the result was or if she used it. What it seems like is just some natural sort of liquid that tastes nasty that deters the parrot from licking/chewing. Might be worth a try but hardly a long term solution. I'd double check with a vet or someone who's used it before using it though.

http://www.kingscages.com/ProductDetail ... ctID=Q_NOC

[Eric&Rebecca]

Obviously not an expert here but could you place something over that area like a platform or something to prevent your bird getting to that area in the meantime. Although this may mean he starts chewing a new area, it might be a time and damage control measure till you can save up for a new cage for Chubby?

[Pajarita]

Why don't you just wrap natural sisal rope (or twine) around the bars he likes to chew? My GCCs love to hang on to the bars of their cage but they never chew them... could he be spending too many hours in it? Does he come out to fly? (some love to fly around while others just want to perch on you) Does he have chew toys? Maybe he's bored... Have you considered getting a companion? Mine have their own and they do great! They even share me without a single problem!

[paper_lantern]

Thank you! I found this corner perch/platform thing made of wood on Dr. Fosters and I ordered it, it will fit perfectly in the corner he chews and will obstruct the area he usually chews.

Yes, he does have MANY chew toys; wood, paper, rope, those palm leaf toys. He also has a couple of foraging toys and some bell toys as well. His cage is rather large for a Green Cheek, I'd say it would be suited for a larger conure like a sun or a blue capped. Also, I work 9-5 but he has an hour out before work, someone is home with him all day, and then he comes out from 5-9 when I get home. He goes to bed at 9. I think it's more what Michael said, he likes to chew pieces of the coating off for fun, why he only does it in that one corner is a mystery to me. :/

[Eric&Rebecca]

I have a corner platform! They are great for foraging and they encourage ground foraging behaviour for our tiels