Oil Dri...

[Sally]

Lucille@lovezebs

That does NOT look like what I have used in the past. Either they have changed how they process it, or what you are getting in Canada is different. Yours looks way more dusty. What I used looked more like clay kitty litter, a little dust but nothing like that.

Discussion is always permitted and even encouraged, as long as it remains civil, as this discussion has. We all have different points of view, and we can take a little from one person's program, a little from another's, and make up our own program for our birds. I believe that debate is healthy! I especially enjoy the political debates during election years, even though they often don't remain civil. It is one way for me to determine who has a viable plan for the future, not the empty promises that any fool can make.

[lovezebs]

Lucille

Of course discussion is allowed, and your opinion is important Lucille. You didn't join the wrong site.

I said what I said in a joking kind of way, as in 'no fighting kids, or I'll have to seperate you' (and I guess it just didn't come out right), so if someone took offence, please accept my apology

Please don't take my silly sense of humor to heart too much. It's just me.

[lovezebs]

Sally

Hi Sally.

With what you said about this stuff that I'd bought, I'm begining to have doubts about using it for the bottom of the flights.

Once it stops raining (if ever), I might take it outside and sift the dust out of it, then we'll see what it looks like.

I did notice that where I had it under the grate, it did clump some where the water from their bath hit it.

Hmmmm......

[Atbird]

good ol' newspaper...... ...............

[lovezebs]

Atbird

Hi Anna.

That's what I have been using, along with paper towels.
Then I heared about this product, and I liked the idea of it....

I liked the neatness of it. Just scoop everyday, replace once in a while. No mess, no smell, no poopy splotches on wet smelly paper. Seemed like a good idea, but the stuff we get up here, is apparently different from the stuff in the States.

Will have to give this some thought.

[Madcat]

Hey folks!
In the pics...mine doesn't look that fine... looks more like fish gravel. When i scoop it its not an overwheling amoint of dust. Disapates fairly quickly. I do use a grate. I bought several birds from a member who used it too. He didn't use grates. Didn't have any problems. I don't recall them eating it. Interesting... but if you're hesitant, I agree, don't use it.

[Madcat]

lovezebs

Keep forgetting to tag u. I just sent post above about pics. Sorry. ..

[lovezebs]

Madcat

No worries

I simply think, that this is different stuff under the same name. I don't think that it's really harmfull within itself (clay), but the dust and the fact that it clumps worries me.

[Madcat]

lovezebs

I understand. U should do what u think is best for your babies.

[Lucille]

substrate description

[lovezebs]

Hello Friends and Fellow Finchers.

Today, it finally stopped raining, so I lugged the bag of oil dri outside and sifted it through two different sieves, one with bigger holes, and one with smaller holes.

Here are the results: check out pictures bellow and their little captions.

After giving this product careful consideration and thought, I've decided not to use it in my bird cages.

The dust can be harmfull to the lungs (which it states on the bag). The point that it soaks up water and clumps, is another big concern for me, because my birds were definitely eating it when I tried it out.

I think it's safe to use under a grate, but I would not offer it without a grate .

Now let me clarify, that I am not being judgmental or critical of anyone who is using this product. For all I know, it is completely harmless, however I personally do not feel comfortable with it.

I will however be looking into clay for birds, and mixing it into my bird grit mixture. After reading about it, I do believe that it is apparently quite beneficial for birds .

Thanks to all for your comments, thoughts and experiences with this product. And Lucille, thank you for the article that you posted.

[lovezebs]

Sally & Lucille & debbie276 & Atbird & Madcat & Wildbird.....

So, I've reached a conclusion on Oil Dri (as per Post above here) and wished to share it, with all those who have participated on this thread.

[Atbird]

lovezebs
Wow, did you sift the whole bag!?
Well, it sounded like a good idea. I once used wood stove pellets on the recommendation from another forum. I didn't care for the smell and they made a mite problem into a nightmare by providing a breeding ground (although my dad thinks the mites actually came in on the wood pellets).

Right now I use newspapers because they are free (local papers and leftover read ones). I might one day buy the recycled paper bedding they make for birds/rodents/reptiles. But as mentioned in the article above, I like the way the newspaper allows for a "reading" of the poop. Even with multiple birds, you can usually notice when something is off.

[lovezebs]

Atbird

G'morning Anna.

I guess it's back to the newspaper (good old poop reader pages) for me for now. With all the bad news in the papers now days, they deserve to be pooped on .

[Atbird]

lovezebs

That's how I get most of my news, while layering down on the cage floor a news article will catch my eye....granted by the time I use the paper it's a few weeks old, but better late than never