silicone MATS in cage?

[MsWildstar]

Hello,

We all know the dangers of silicone when being used while heated when cooking,etc. Do we know if using a silcone mat at the bottom of a cage, completely not-heated, would pose a risk for parakeet type birds? I am wanting to set up a more ground friendly space for the juvenile Bourkes I am picking up tomorrow, but not sure if it is a completely terrible and off the table idea or actually a reasonable and good one.

Would love to hear thoughts on the subject, especially from anyone who may have experience with this or actually understands the science to a degree. Not so interested in a whole bunch of "I wouldn't do it!"s without any substance as to why, as I am definitely familiar as to the dangers of the off gassing of silicone when actually heated. Hoping for actual answers, and not just opinions. Curious if a silcone mat that has been used and washed a few times would off gas at all or at an actually dangerous for birds level if it was just sitting there.

I can't seem to find an answer or reference to this at ALL, anywhere. Really hoping to hear SOMETHING relatively concrete, one way or the other. Many thanks in advance to those who try to help on this!

Cheers!
Jackie*

 

[MsWildstar]

I just wanted to add that I *did* find an older post on here from someone who got medical grade silicone chew toys for their (probably larger) bird. So I guess there is at least that base level established. I am kinda thinking if it is a design they can't pick at, it might be okay if it is just sitting there... but you folks that use astro turf and such, any particular brand that is considered safer for birds?
Thanks again!

Cheers!

 

[wrench13]

What's wrong with newspaper? Cheap, disposable and you can take the pages that have stories about your hated political person or view point and have them poop all over it.

 

[noodles123]

agreed with above.

this isn't science, but it is an observation: most silicone leaves an oil on your hands when you touch it--food grade too. Before the bird, I had the bake mats and they would always leave a film on my fingers---ever so slight, but it was there.

Also, chewing silicone is not a good idea and if it is on the ground, that could happen.


Butcher paper, banner paper, white paper towels...otherwise, I would leave the grate uncovered. I know they like to scrounge around, but you could also set up a supervised play area outside the cage that could allow this (say, on a table or something) down the road anyway.

 

[MsWildstar]

Newspapers are not free, except the weekly advertisements that come in the mail but I remember reading when I had budgies about 15 years ago in Minneapolis that coloured ink is toxic to birds and not to use it. I use paper bags, but when I move I will no longer have a regular source of them. So I will not have regular access to newspaper. Before people jump on me please remember that we are in the midst of a pandemic and I am definitely a high risk person, I have almost entirely been full on self-quarantining minus the bird stuff, having to put my medical service dog down in June, and my own medical needs and surgery I had to get done a few weeks ago. So... newspaper nope. I might just do the puppy pag thing at the bottom of the grate when I move in a few more weeks, here... I dunno... was kinda hoping for something less wasteful, but I might put a silicone mat down at the bottom below the grate, we shall see... not jumping on that yet, hoping to find out more information... thanks for the thoughts, everyone! Gonna go pick up that baby Bourkes, now! Cheers!

 

[SailBoat]

Silicone has such a wide range in compounds and therefore uses that a blanket statement as too, which is safe and, which is not. IMHO is not possible to provide advise as a safe product. Where it is manufactured is just a problematic, but if it is produced in China, all beats are off.

 

[Elysianblight]

I know this isn't free (or really less wasteful), but if it helps ..

We bought a box (online) of blank newsprint sheets. A whole sheet fits really nicely in the bottom of my budgie cage, and I use half sheets on their play gyms.
We didn't actually buy the paper for the birds - we bought it for bedding in our worm farm/composting bin and I co-opted it

It was between $30-$40 for the box, but even using it for both things.. this box is clearly going to last YEARS.

 

[bill_e]

I've used kitchen Cut-Rite wax paper for the last 42 or so years. It's almost free

 

[wrench13]

High risk folks here too. Colored circulars below the grates ( where Salty cant get to them), is free, and serves these wasteful companies right for killing millions of trees just so I can line my bird cage with their advertising. 'Boats is right, if these mats came from China, and what isn't these days, all bets are off. Having been there many many times, I know what they put into even stuff that people are expected to use. Used chopsticks reduced to cellulose fiber to be added to food. Hair sweepings from barbershops treated to give up the melanin in it, to be added to soy sauce. All true! I better stop, I'm scaring myself all over again. It was always traumatic to travel there and have to eat.

 

[Noahs_Birds]

Astro Turf is even a better option, many of my breeder mats use it and it is easy to clean and adds an aesthetic value as well

https://www.google.com/search?q=ast...ECBAQAw&biw=1880&bih=970#imgrc=eFg1iT5e7QifhM

 

[MsWildstar]

Thank you everyone for the helpful and thoughtful responses, I *really* appreciate and you all shared great ideas! I am going to look into the blank newsprint and the wax paper, but if I want to take the grate out I am guessing the blank newsprint will be it, thank you @Elysianblight I didn’t even know you could get that! Also, @Noahs_Birds I want to do Astro turf for these Bourkes! Do you happen to know a bird safe brand? I may post an ask in cages. Thank you everyone! Cheers! p.s. first baby is home and falling asleep now!

 

[Inger]

On the blank news print idea, uhaul sells it as “packing paper.” It comes in 24”x30” sheets, a box of 200 is $10


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[MsWildstar]

Awesome! Thanks for the tip!

 

[noodles123]

be careful with the wax paper if it won't be below the grate.. You don't want them ingesting was particles