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Post by chilipepper on Jun 30, 2015 11:10:17 GMT -5
I line the bottom of cage with paper. Lately, Chili Pepper has been going down to the bottom of his cage, carry the paper up to the perch and layer the paper to form a platform. Is (s)he trying to build a nest? Is there anything else I can give him/her so he/she would leave the paper alone? Thanks
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Post by easttex on Jun 30, 2015 12:09:37 GMT -5
It would be more typical of nest building if he were shredding the paper. My CAG's night cage has no bottom grill, and she likes to get down there and tear up the paper when she's hormonal. There are others on the forum who have Quakers who have a real architectural bent, but I'm having a bit of hard time picturing just what it is Chili Pepper is actually doing with the paper on the perch. Can you post picture?
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Post by cnyguy on Jun 30, 2015 21:31:54 GMT -5
It could be related to nest-building behavior. My QP Ralph likes to build with thin wooden dowels (1/8 inch thick) cut to 6 inch to 9 inch lengths. He doesn't want to build an actual nest, but likes to arrange and rearrange his sticks. Plastic cable ties and drinking straws are some other possible materials to build or weave with. They might be alternatives for Chili Pepper to use instead of newspaper.
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Post by aaron on Jun 30, 2015 22:01:33 GMT -5
It does sound like it could be nest-building-like behavior. You know, every cage we've had has a grate over the paper at the bottom, so Cupcake couldn't get to it even if she wanted to. That might not be a bad idea, although I know changing cages is a big change... but if your bird is fixated on that paper, it's probably going to be pretty hard to change that when it is so easily accessible inside the cage.
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Post by chilipepper on Jun 30, 2015 22:44:49 GMT -5
 The cage comes with a grate but I don't use it because it is easier to clean without it. I replace the paper each day. I have Chili Pepper for over 2 years, (s)he just starts wanting the paper. **sigh** never a dull moment Thanks all |
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Post by easttex on Jul 1, 2015 5:28:34 GMT -5
That's a pretty funny picture, thanks for posting it.  I do sympathize, though. If I were you, I'd go back to using the grate. Poop-off makes the cleanup a bit easier. If Chili Pepper is female, it's not a good idea to encourage the nest building. It can lead to egg laying, which introduces potential health risks and behavioral issues. |
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Post by aaron on Jul 1, 2015 7:44:43 GMT -5
Haha wow... yes, certainly never a dull moment with these little guys. And, yes, I would definitely say that is nest building behavior. I think the grate is probably the answer. Like Easttex said, particularly if Chili Pepper is female, nest building should be discouraged... and even if Chili Pepper is male, it can lead to behavioral problems, including increased cage aggression since the nest is inside the cage. It sounds like you aren't sure what gender Chili is, so probably best to discourage it-- better safe than sorry.
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Post by chilipepper on Jul 1, 2015 8:02:53 GMT -5
Thank you both for the suggestions. I will go back to use the grate.
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Post by julianna on Jul 1, 2015 12:49:41 GMT -5
I recently saw a quaker that laid an egg and yet there was no building material what-so-ever. She was definitely in heat and the other birds were not interested so it was not fertile. I guess there are differences in some quakers.
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I do sympathize, though. If I were you, I'd go back to using the grate. Poop-off makes the cleanup a bit easier. If Chili Pepper is female, it's not a good idea to encourage the nest building. It can lead to egg laying, which introduces potential health risks and behavioral issues.