Why do my parakeets chew on wood perches?

Question

I have two female parakeets. they have many toys, mirrors cuttlebone, and treats. However they are destroying their wooden perches. Is there anything wrong with them or is this normal. I read another post from someone who had a similar problem but the answer was to give them more to do. They do tend to fight sometimes. would separating them be the answer?

Answer 1

parakeets chew because its basically in their genes to chew, in the wild they dont build nests, they chew one out of a tree and make it a hollow hole, so in captivity they chew because they want to mate, it has alot to do with hormones    check out www.parrotcentral.net for good bird info

Answer 2

I haven't met any kind of parrot yet that didn't like to chew -- wood, paper, plastic -- anything. Chewing keeps their beaks conditioned - and it's a good stress reliever.

My three caiques are like paper shredders with wings. I give them the junk mail I get every day and it keeps them occupied whilie I read the newspaper -- otherwise, they'd shred that while I'm reading it.

Frankly, I would replace the wood perches with ROPE perches -- called "comfort" perches -- they're not chewable (at least by little parakeet beaks) and they're much better for your birds' feet.

Answer 3

Wood perches are made to be destroyed. Think a dog with a bone. Same kinda deal, plus their beaks continuously grow, so it's a way of keeping them in check without having to take a nail file to it.

Birds do need lots of fun things to play with, but not TONS of stuff all at once. I like to cycle toys every week for about six weeks, and then when the original toy comes back around, it's totally 'new' to them

Answer 4

Its totally normal because mine do it too

Answer 5

Parakeets are wood chewers as are Cockatiels. There are many wood toys at the petshop for them. With a bright colorful wooden toy to chew on, they may stop chewing their perch. Find a bird safe branch outside, clean it and dry it thoroughly and hang it for them to play and chew on.