paper eating

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

One of my teils is eating paper. He used to just ruin all of my books and any paperwork by chewing the edges (he prefers his corners rounded, I guess). He is now eating what he chews off. Printer paper seems to be the preference (hey, it might be a delicacy in SOME country...). As long as he is eating his real food this isn't too much of a problem, is it?? Paper nowadays is pretty safe. Larry???

Patty

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Yeah - paper is safe. So is the ink.

But - my goodness I think you would want him on a better diet than that. No nutrients in paper. And it tastes like --- well you know... paper. :haha:

On the serious side - just watch that he does not ingest too much of it. Paper and the likes can impact his crop and you will have a real problem on your hands. Even if it passes the crop and ends up in the gut - you will have a problem.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

So I should take the encyclopedia out of his cage?? Could be worse, he could be eating paste.

Thanks Larry, I knew I could count on you...

Patty

[Larry, Baby and Me]

On the serious side... Just make sure he isn't eating too much paper, no matter the type.

Sometimes it is hard to tell how much they tear up and how much they swallow. But if you know that he is in the habit of swallowing paper... I would only allow him to be around paper while you are supervising him.

These birds can get themselves into more trouble than we can imagine. So to be on the safe side - I would take precautions.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Heck - encyclopedia's are smart eating. :rofl:

Oh, Larry. Booo.............
The only time he eats paper is when 'we' are on the computer. So it's limited, but he eats every bite. Not a crumb left behind. Wish he'd be that agreeable with his veggies.

[FoxersArtist]

Cockatiels do the silliest things. I think it's a hoot that your guy is actually eating paper. All of our larger birds get phone books to chew...but I have never seen them actually eat the paper. At the same time, breeding cockatiels and watching what my babies will play with and eat, I am not surprised at all! No one ever said that tiels were the brightest species of parrot, but boy are they funny!:haha:
-Anna

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

every book i have has beak marks on it...another thing is if your tiel is a she..they do tend to tear it up for nesting stuff...

[too&me]

I have cat (Marx)that does the same thing-Harry Too only shreds it.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

every book i have has beak marks on it...another thing is if your tiel is a she..they do tend to tear it up for nesting stuff...

Nope. HE has no excuses like nesting - just eats the stuff. He has always been a paper chewer and has ruined some expensive books. (I know, my fault for letting him get at them) But he always used to leave a pile of paper chewings behind. Maybe he heard me complain about the mess once too often.

[birdscomefirst]

OK, as usual, I'm gonna throw a monkey wrench in the gears. Some paper is OK, some is not.

Example, White , printer paper can be acidic and very often has chlorine bleach residue in it. It is a result of the recycling process. Some paper even has a number on a "brightness scale" on the outer wrapper, the brighter the paper, the more bleach used and the more glossing agents used.

Some printer papers are treated during manufacture with glossing agent and alcohols so that ink sticks better or dries better on the paper.

The safest paper and ink combination to ingest, is the "black and white" portion of a newspaper. The paper is safe as it is generally unbleached and the inks are soy based. Even the "colored" inks associated with the black and white portion are soy based.

The colored, glossy paper use for advertisements is unsafe.

Most paper used for books is recycled and therefore bleached.

I wouldn't let my birds eat the paper. Chewing it is one thing...Ingesting it is a different matter.

Thanks...

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Thanks Bill - good info. That saved me a ton of research time. ;)

[00andy]

The colored, glossy paper use for advertisements is unsafe.


I'm glad this was brought up. Glossy paper (inkjet paper included) achieves this finish through the use of a process that utilizes zinc oxide.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I'm glad this was brought up. Glossy paper (inkjet paper included) achieves this finish through the use of a process that utilizes zinc oxide.

Thanks. Fortunately there is none of that type of paper in his new diet.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

OK, as usual, I'm gonna throw a monkey wrench in the gears. Some paper is OK, some is not.

Example, White , printer paper can be acidic and very often has chlorine bleach residue in it. It is a result of the recycling process. Some paper even has a number on a "brightness scale" on the outer wrapper, the brighter the paper, the more bleach used and the more glossing agents used.

Some printer papers are treated during manufacture with glossing agent and alcohols so that ink sticks better or dries better on the paper.

The safest paper and ink combination to ingest, is the "black and white" portion of a newspaper. The paper is safe as it is generally unbleached and the inks are soy based. Even the "colored" inks associated with the black and white portion are soy based.

The colored, glossy paper use for advertisements is unsafe.

Most paper used for books is recycled and therefore bleached.

I wouldn't let my birds eat the paper. Chewing it is one thing...Ingesting it is a different matter.

Thanks...

Thanks for the info. My little teil is going to be so disappointed.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Heck - encyclopedia's are smart eating. :rofl: