Remodeling

[rcirmele]

I have an HQ double flight cage that I am always tinkering with. I have sun decks over the food and water to create "no poop" zones and I have been using gravel paper for the decks. I just got back from Walmart with Dexas grippmats, $5 for 3. If you cut them in half they fit the decks perfectly. I use the grippy side up for the birds. It adds a nice splash of color. Now I'll never have to buy gravel paper again. Just take the soiled mats out for cleaning and replace with clean ones.

[Matthias]

love your set up .. wish i had space inside the house for something like this..

[rcirmele]

love your set up .. wish i had space inside the house for something like this..

Grazie mille Matthias. I have room inside but not outside.

[MiaCarter]

That looks lovely!
I cover mine with paper towels; this looks so much nicer!

What are Dexas gripmats? What are they used for? (In other words, what section are they in at Walmart?)

What do you have on the floor? Corn cobs?

[Corkysgirl]

rcirmele Really nice set up! So bright and inviting!

[rcirmele]

That looks lovely!
I cover mine with paper towels; this looks so much nicer!

What are Dexas gripmats? What are they used for? (In other words, what section are they in at Walmart?)

What do you have on the floor? Corn cobs?

Mia, the are flexible cutting mats. Smother on the cutting side and a good non-slip texture on the counter side. Obviously, I put the non-slip side up for the birds to feel stable on it. It was $4.99 for a pack of 3. When cut exactly in half the will cover 6 sun decks. I use binder clips to secure them. I used to use gravel paper (which works well) but you have to keep buying it and cutting it.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dexas-Grippma ... k/35931155

I use pine pellets for the cage bottom. The birds can't get to it. I put paper towels down first then just one layer thick of the pellets. A lot of people think they may be a health concern, but these are great. It has to be the brand from Tractor Supply $5.79 for 40 lbs.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/t ... ding-40-lb
They are kiln dried and have a pleasant (not overpowering) scent.

[Corkysgirl]

I've heard about pine bark being an issue, and I'm not sure the exact reason why but just want to mention this. We use Cypress bark for our button quail and love it. We make sure it's really dry though because we know it can harbour a lot of mold. That might be a similar problem with pine bark, and though you say they don't get near it, mold is a spore that can get into the air easily. Here's a post on Dr. Robert Marshall's site about it that was interesting. It can be found here but I'm going to just post the question. https://ladygouldian.com/ask-dr-rob/hou ... =1Question:
Katherine Roberts from Jacksonville, FL asks: Is cypress bark mulch a good choice for bedding in a bird room with finches? (This 12'x5' room is indoors and has A/C, heat, and ventilation). Also, does a clicking sound from the birds always mean air sac mites When treating the birds with your S76, is it necessary to treat the aviary as well?
Answer:
Hello Katherine, Cypress mulch must be perfectly dry as it carries a mold and that may cause inhalation air sacculitis. There is a number of causes of clicking sounds, the most common is caused by the airsac mite. Fungal infections and some bacterial infections may also cause a clicking sound. It is not absolutely necessary but is highly advisable to clean the aviary when administering S76. All the Best, Rob
P.S. Cool soft mats!

[rcirmele]

I've heard about pine bark being an issue, and I'm not sure the exact reason why but just want to mention this. We use Cypress bark for our button quail and love it. We make sure it's really dry though because we know it can harbour a lot of mold. That might be a similar problem with pine bark, and though you say they don't get near it, mold is a spore that can get into the air easily. Here's a post on Dr. Robert Marshall's site about it that was interesting. It can be found here but I'm going to just post the question. https://ladygouldian.com/ask-dr-rob/hou ... =1Question:
Katherine Roberts from Jacksonville, FL asks: Is cypress bark mulch a good choice for bedding in a bird room with finches? (This 12'x5' room is indoors and has A/C, heat, and ventilation). Also, does a clicking sound from the birds always mean air sac mites When treating the birds with your S76, is it necessary to treat the aviary as well?
Answer:
Hello Katherine, Cypress mulch must be perfectly dry as it carries a mold and that may cause inhalation air sacculitis. There is a number of causes of clicking sounds, the most common is caused by the airsac mite. Fungal infections and some bacterial infections may also cause a clicking sound. It is not absolutely necessary but is highly advisable to clean the aviary when administering S76. All the Best, Rob
P.S. Cool soft mats!

Corkysgirl,
I've seen and heard quite a bit about the use of wood products as bird bedding. My lungs function at only 60% of normal and I'm very sensitive to respiratory irritants. I can guarantee you there is no airborne dust from this particular brand. Pine does not have the same risks associated with other hardwoods. There are some brands (cat litter) that have a very strong pine odor. This particular brand is dirt cheap and they do a great job of kiln drying the pellets. This is what causes the release of the volatile oils and why the odor is minimal. I only dump the trays once a week. At that time there is still no odor. As for mold, this acts like paper bedding in that it wicks away the moisture that then evaporates. No moisture, no mold. This is the best stuff I've ever used, but I have a grate that prevents them from getting at it. I've been using it for about 6 months and all the birds are happily nesting. Just my humble opinion. And one of the zebra chicks fledged today

[jebediah]

rcirmele

What do you use to make the decks themselves? I may want to steal your idea...

Also, did you create your cover yourself or find instructions online?

[rcirmele]

rcirmele

What do you use to make the decks themselves? I may want to steal your idea...

Also, did you create your cover yourself or find instructions online?

Jebediah,
You can buy the sun deck from many sources:
http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-B ... B0002AQ2HS

The cover is custom made. I had a lady from Joanne's Fabrics make it from my dimensions. I used curtain rods and hemmed curtains for the bottom. I'm not very good at sewing so I used the iron on hemming tape.

[bonalou]

I love your cage set up.Very creative,yet simple and inexpensive.I'm going to use yours as a model design and redo my cages.Thank you for sharing.

[rcirmele]

I love your cage set up.Very creative,yet simple and inexpensive.I'm going to use yours as a model design and redo my cages.Thank you for sharing.

Bonalou,

My pleasure to share. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[jebediah]

rcirmele

What do you use to make the decks themselves? I may want to steal your idea...

Also, did you create your cover yourself or find instructions online?

Jebediah,
You can buy the sun deck from many sources:
http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-B ... B0002AQ2HS

The cover is custom made. I had a lady from Joanne's Fabrics make it from my dimensions. I used curtain rods and hemmed curtains for the bottom. I'm not very good at sewing so I used the iron on hemming tape.

I may have to have a go at making one and see how it turns out. Thanks!

[HeyItsRaymond]

I use pine pellets for the cage bottom. The birds can't get to it. I put paper towels down first then just one layer thick of the pellets. A lot of people think they may be a health concern, but these are great. It has to be the brand from Tractor Supply $5.79 for 40 lbs.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/t ... ding-40-lb
They are kiln dried and have a pleasant (not overpowering) scent.

$5.00 for 40lbs? I have to head to my local Tractor Supply and get them. I was paying $10 for 10lbs at Petsmart and that's just too much $$$ to be sustainable.

Thanks for letting me know about this!!!