Safe Luxury

Is it safe for parakeets to use paper or newspaper to build it's nest? If not, what materials can she use?

Our parakeets has been trying to shred up newspaper from the cage bottom to build a nest. We've gotten them a nesting box and the cottony type nest material found at the pet store, but they don't seem interested. What other materials found at home can be used or is it safe to let them continue with the newspaper?

Public Comments

1. It is totaly safe, butt to be safe make the bird use grass or small twigs that are small and are not thick.
2. Its safe. Give them some grass ...nice long strands are best, they will probably prefer that as thats the natural material thye use in the wild.
3. I already answered a similar question to this, parakeets do not make nests but nest in holes in trees in the wild, therefore they do not need any nesting materials. I used clean wood shavings, this especially helps when the chicks get older and excrete more, it helps keep the growing feathers clean. Parakeet hens for some reason like to chew wood or tear up paper when they are laying eggs, I believe that this is the original wild actions of the now domesticated pet, chewing holes into a tree to make a nest site. Do not use cotton or anything stringy, the hen can get her feet tangled and the chicks could easily be choked or strangled
4. I bought this thing that is made of coconut fiber that is tubed shaped. The lady at the store said they would chew a hole in it, like the prior person says up there, and then to give them timothy hay to weave into it or something. I haven't seen them do much of anything yet but I have only had them for a few weeks now. They may not even be used to it being in their cage yet. Newspaper is also believed to have some sort of beneficial antibiotic qualities in the ink. But that is not a proven theory. I have also read that these birds love rolls of calculator paper or toilet paper. I haven't tried that yet though. Good Luck!!!