newspaper substitute? ? ?

[crazy-bird-lady]

Hey all

I have a bird (a duck but practically the same) who lives inside with me. He originally became an indoor bird as a baby because of an injury to his beak, but now he's almost fully grow and makes MASSIVE messes. He has a bigger cage than any of my dogs and is only in it at night or when I'm not home, but he still makes it absolutely disgusting. He is housed in a large dog crate with newspapers that have to be changed at least twice a day, which is a bigger hassle than it needs to be. And now he's started ripping off pieces of paper and EATING them! I need a solution for this. What bedding is easier to clean than newspaper (or at least needs to be cleaned less often)? I CAN'T use any type of shavings because he will eat them and they will get ask over my floor.

I feel like I'm being a bit of a clean freak, but this mess is starting to drive me crazy. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[number1newbie]

Why can't he be put outside ?

 

[subhanalah]

He doesn't need food and water overnight if he is older than 8 weeks.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I use either straw, pelleted horse bedding, or chips bedding. You could use Timothy hay, clover, pine needles, even towlels. You will have to clean no matter which you choose-- it's just par for the course.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

Why can't he be put outside ?

Well, he had an accident when he was only 3 days old, which left him disabled for outdoor living. He is also imprinted, so he would be very stressed outside.

See his beak?

He doesn't need food and water overnight if he is older than 8 weeks.

I prefer to give him food at night so that he poops less during the day. I let him walk around the house and always manage to miss a pile while cleaning. But I suppose it would make more sense to feed him during the day, so I'll do that.

I use either straw, pelleted horse bedding, or chips bedding. You could use Timothy hay, clover, pine needles, even towlels. You will have to clean no matter which you choose-- it's just par for the course.

True, I'm just trying to find out which needs to be cleaned less often. Lol

 

[subhanalah]

Well, he had an accident when he was only 3 days old, which left him disabled for outdoor living. He is also imprinted, so he would be very stressed outside.

See his beak?
I prefer to give him food at night so that he poops less during the day. I let him walk around the house and always manage to miss a pile while cleaning. But I suppose it would make more sense to feed him during the day, so I'll do that.
True, I'm just trying to find out which needs to be cleaned less often. Lol

ducky diapers are the answer. Not overnight, but during the day. You have to change/clean them frequently.

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

ducky diapers are the answer. Not overnight, but during the day. You have to change/clean them frequently.

Just googled duck diapers and found a place that sells them. I'll definitely look into getting one, but it looks like I have to wait until he's an adult. Thanks for the suggestion though, I never would have thought of a diaper. It's amazing what they do for pets these days.