One of my African Greys keeps digging (with her beak) the grout between floor tiles. Obviously I try to stop her doing so, but she keeps managing to get some when I'm not looking. When I pick her up there's often a fair few "crumbs" of it in her beak (which I try to remove). Is it harmful? The grout is long since dried (laid 2 years ago), so does this mean the harmful solvents have long since evaporated?
I would not place grout as a preferred surface crumbs for her to be creating. First concern is the loss of the grout and the exposure of the sharp edges of the tile /stone, which can cut soft Human toes. The other concern is that she may develop a habit of doing this, with the exposed tile /stone can thin her beak.
With two years, the active chemicals, as you stated, have evaporated. If anything, the 'crumbs' will speed her track and she will pass them fairly quickly, likely resulting in a more watering stool than normal.
Unless you enjoy tile grouting, working at curbing this new found habit is highly recommended. Target a much larger store of foot toys, and the like and work at keeping her off the floors.
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Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
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- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Has your CAG been offered cuttle bones or a mineral block? That is a more appropriate chomping/eating material and it is possible your parrot is instinctively going after the closest thing she can find to what would resemble a mineral-rich deposit in nature. You may also consider adding a single cement perch to her cage, as she may also simply be trying to groom her beak. I know my BFA likes to rub his beak on his cement perch fairly regularly and I see him chomping on his mineral block a few times a week too. While they don't need actual grit, parrots do seem to enjoy eating and grooming their beaks with gritty substances. Best to make sure to offer the parrot safe versions instead of letting them get "creative" about it around the home!
Aquila
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Sydney - Blue Front Amazon
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While I don't think grout itself is particularly harmful, like others have said, it's not ideal for them to chew on or ingest. The bigger concern for me is whatever the grout has come in contact with, bodily fluids, cleaners, personal care products, because grout is porous and will absorb and sometimes trap those things.
This is one of my favorite things for birds that love to scrape their beak on things.
Bird Beak Conditioners: Polly's Pet Products Coral Beak Buffer
It's truly indestructible, but has lots of nooks and crannies that they love and I prefer it for my rougher birds who will easily go through calcium blocks or sand perches.
This is one of my favorite things for birds that love to scrape their beak on things.
Bird Beak Conditioners: Polly's Pet Products Coral Beak Buffer
It's truly indestructible, but has lots of nooks and crannies that they love and I prefer it for my rougher birds who will easily go through calcium blocks or sand perches.
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