Gone to the Big Kid Cage

[CandoAviary]

Sally,
I only use it in this aviary. Because of the ceramic tile floor and it is in our living space so it needs to stay clean and attractive. I use white butcher paper in another 6' breeding aviary. The other aviaries has linoleum down and a vacuum with a shop vac and a damp mop does fine. Then I have a floor washer (like a rug shampooer but for hard floors) that can put down sanitizer and then suck it up in the same pass, before the birds could land in it. And of course the outside aviaries are concrete.... so blasting with the hose works.
My cages have the grate still in all of them. I use nothing in the bottom of the trays. I empty the seeds and then drop the trays into a giant tupperware tub that contains bleach water. I can let them soak as I have extra trays to replace the dirty ones. The next day I simply hose the trays off and let them sun dry. Stack and have on hand to replace any dirties.
I especially love my cage bank with rolls of paper. You simply pull the paper to the end and cut it off and throw it away. The easiest set up ever.
Back to the carefresh. I have used it with the breeding red throats and they would occaisionly take a piece and incorporate it into the nest...but they preferred coco fibers.The all natural carefresh is safe.
You must use the natural carefresh. They do make others with odor control for help in the smell of hamster, gerbils and the such. They also have dyed colors for kids I guess....pinks, blues, etc. I would not use these types with birds. I don't know which one you inquired about. The texture and look of carefresh natural is of the old grey/brown eggcrates.. like when you buy the commercial 2 dozen eggs.
When I worked at the pet store years ago we would use crushed walnut shells and crushed coconut shells. Only under grates though. Birds would try and ingest it. So be careful with that if they are small pieces. The disadvantage with these was they will not absorb water...so they do nothing for the odors. We also would use corncob bedding. The disadvantage of this was it would absorb water but not dry out rapidly...producing mold Very bad for your bird.
Aspen shavings are safe for birds but never use pine shavings ... the oils can make bird sick. I found that once the shavings get wet they do not dry out fast enough to insure a healthy enviroment.
My birds are all messy bathers so I really need something that can absorb but then dry out quickly.
Hope this helps.

[CandoAviary]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CareFRESH® Pet Bedding FAQ’s:
Product Overview:
CareFRESH® Pet Bedding is made from reclaimed cellulose pulp fiber. It is biodegradable and flushable in small quantities. CareFRESH® Pet Bedding promotes a more natural living environment for small animal than other bedding substrates as it promotes foraging, nesting and burrowing! Its patented formula ensures that it is free from pine & cedar oils, which may be harmful to small animals.

Q: Why should I use CareFRESH® Pet Bedding?
A: Most people buy CareFRESH® Pet Bedding because it has superior odor control technology, absorbs up to 3 times its weight in liquid and lasts more than 2 times longer than wood shavings. Its soft fibers protect sensitive skin too. Animals like it because it encourages natural burrowing behavior and it’s free from pine and cedar oils, which may be harmful to their respiratory system.

Q: Is CareFRESH® Pet Bedding safe?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® is safe when used according to instructions. It captures liquids deposited by small animals and disperses it quickly so that it lasts up to 2 times longer than shavings. Consumers love it for its superior odor control and small animals like it because their cages stay dryer longer, and they can forage in our product.

Q: Is CareFRESH® Pet Bedding healthy for small animals?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® Pet Bedding suppresses ammonia formation twice as long as wood shavings or corn cob bedding. Your home and your pet’s living quarters stay fresher smelling longer.

Q: Which animals use CareFRESH® Pet Bedding?
A: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, ferrets, birds, hedge hogs, reptiles and other small animals.

Q: Can I use CareFRESH® as a cat litter?
A: Yes, A lot of people actually use our CareFRESH® as a cat litter and have done so with great success. Many veterinarians recommend CareFRESH® as a de-claw post surgical litter. It is light and is easy on cats feet. Absorption Corp also markets Healthy Pet™ Cat Litter in 5 varieties and these products can be found in select stores.

Q: Can I use CareFRESH® with my reptiles?
A: Yes. It provides a great bedding that works well with most reptiles except grazing turtles.

Q: What is CareFRESH® Pet Bedding made from?
A: CareFRESH® Pet Bedding is patented pet bedding made from reclaimed cellulose fiber and is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that exist in pine and cedar oils. It is tested for contaminants and is sanitized to 380º F to reduce bacteria, mold and fungus.

Q: Why is CareFRESH® sometimes different in color?
A: Our manufacturing facilities have different sources of raw materials. This includes a variety of color characteristics that carry into the pulp in which we make CareFRESH®

Q: What is the difference between white and natural colored CareFRESH®?
A: Natural colored bedding is a short fiber cellulose pulp. White colored bedding is a pre-consumer long cellulose fiber that has gone through a bleaching process similar to the process with toilet and tissue paper.

Q: What should I do if my small animal eats CareFRESH® Pet Bedding?
A: Animals are curious and will try new things. Please seek veterinary care if your small animal consumes more than incidental quantities of bedding or if there is a change in feed or water consumption.

Q: Where can I buy CareFRESH® Pet Bedding?
A: CareFRESH® Pet Bedding can be purchased at over 5,000 pet specialty retailers in North America. Check your local yellow pages or Super Yellow pages on-line for a store close to you.

Q: How much does CareFRESH® Pet Bedding cost?
A: CareFRESH® Pet Bedding is available in 4 sizes. Your local retailer stocks most sizes. Retail prices vary, but they range from $2.99 for a 5L package to +$19.99 for a 50L product. Usage depends on how many animals you own and how often you change your pets’ bedding.


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CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding FAQ’s:
Product Overview:
CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding is made from extra-long, extra-soft bleached fibers. It is biodegradable and flushable in small quantities. CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding promotes a more natural living environment than other bedding substrates! Its patented formula ensures that it is free from pine & cedar oils, which may be harmful to small animals.

Q: Why should I use CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding?
A: Most people buy CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding because it has extended odor control technology, absorbs up to 3 times its weight in liquid and last more than 2 times longer than wood shavings. Its soft fibers protect sensitive skin too. Animals like it because it encourages natural burrowing behavior and it’s free from pine and cedar oils, which may be harmful to their respiratory system.

Q: Is CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding safe?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® ULTRA™ is safe when used according to instructions. It captures liquids deposited by small animals and disperses it quickly so that it lasts up to 3 times longer than shavings. Consumers love it for its extended odor control and small animals like it because their cages stay dryer and fresher smelling longer.

Q: Is CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding healthy for small animals?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding suppresses ammonia formation longer than regular CareFRESH® Pet Bedding and up to twice as long as wood shavings or corn cob bedding. Your home and your pet’s living quarters stay fresher smelling longer.

Q: Which animals can use CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding?
A: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, ferrets, birds, hedge hogs, reptiles and other small animals.

Q: What is CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding made from?
A: CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding is patented pet bedding made from ultra long and extra soft cellulose fiber. All aromatic hydrocarbons have been removed. These hydrocarbons exist in pine and cedar oils. It is tested for contaminants and is sanitized to 380º F to reduce bacteria, mold and fungus.

Q: What should I do if my small animal eats some CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding?
A: Animals are curious and will try new things. Please seek veterinary care if your small animal consumes more than incidental quantities of bedding or if there is a change in feed or water consumption.

Q: Where can I buy CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding?
A: CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding can be purchased at over 5,000 independent and pet specialty retailers in North America. Check your local yellow pages or Super Yellow pages on-line for a store close to you. Call 1-800-242-2287 for further information.

Q: How much does CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding cost?
A: CareFRESH® ULTRA™ Pet Bedding is available in 4 sizes. Your local retailer stocks most sizes. Retail prices vary, but they range from $3.99 for a 5L package to +$22.99 for a 50L bag. Product usage depends on how many animals you own and how often you change your pet’s bedding.


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CareFRESH® Colors™ FAQ’s:
Product Overview:
CareFRESH® Colors™ is biodegradable, flushable in small quantities and promotes a more natural living environment than other bedding substrates!

Q: Is CareFRESH® Colors™ Colors safe?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® Colors™ is dyed using the same materials used in homes around the world for over 40 years. CareFRESH ® Colors ™ are non-toxic to you and your pet.

Q: Is CareFRESH® Colors™ colorfast?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® Colors™ will not bleed so your pets, cages and your clothing should not be stained. Under certain conditions, cotton fabrics may be discolored if exposed to wet bedding.

Q: Is CareFRESH® Colors™ Healthy for small animals?
A: Yes, CareFRESH® Colors™ suppresses ammonia formation twice as long as wood shavings or corn cob bedding. Your home and your pet’s living quarters stay fresher smelling longer.

Q: Which animals can use CareFRESH® Colors™ for bedding?
A: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, ferrets, birds, hedge hogs, reptiles and other small animals.

Q: What is CareFRESH® Colors™ made from?
A: CareFRESH® Colors™ is patented pet bedding made from white cellulose fiber and is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that exist in pine and cedar oils. It is tested for contaminants and is sanitized to 380º F to reduce bacteria, mold and fungus.

Other CareFRESH® Colors™ facts:


Extra long fibers means extra long odor control
Extra long fibers means it can absorb up to 3X its weight in liquid
Extra long fibers means it’s extra soft and gentle

[H2015]

Wow your birds and set looks stunning.

I'm planning on building two mini indoor aviaries and I really liked the size and color you're using here. It looks really neat!

May I know what type of paint was used and if it's white or light gray?

Also I noticed you have mounted holders for your branches, may I know where I could get these?

Thanks

[CandoAviary]

Thank You H2015. On our sunroom which is ceramic tile floor, stucco walls(use to be an outside patio) and white painted aluminum and glass. The outside trim of our house is white(explains the windows)
The light grey was an outside latex paint we used after priming the would white.(oil base) We built the frame and attached plywood to the back which we covered with formica counter top material. It was left over from our kitchen counter top and backsplash remodel. It matches the ceramic tile pattern and colr perfectly. We bought 2 36" screen doors and replaced the screen with 1/2" inch welded wire.
We then covered the exterior of the doors with lattice strips painted to match to cover the ugly metal staples that hold the wire.We put aluminum and rubber door sweeps in to keep the bedding/seed from coming out. You can open the aviary from either end.
We then wired the top and installed a 4 bulb flourescent fixture on the ceiling with automatic timer. We then built a 3 sided hood to cover the lighting (much like an aquarium hood) Actually we have an aquarium out there also painted the same color with the formica on the back of the aquarium)
The floor seams of the interior and exterior were sealed with silicone so no moiisture or seed could get underneath.
The branch holders are Flag pole holders bought at Lowe's I also have a natuaral looking rock fountain that was attached to a wood base on wheels that rolls into the aviary. Makes for rolling it outside to hose off easy. When the chicks get a little older it will go back in.
I am very pleased with the way it turned out. With the color scheme on the sunroom being grey,white....monochromatic what you notice is the color of the fish in the tank and the birds in the aviary.The light grey and white blends well with the welded wire. The aviary was designed to resemble a fishtank so I call it my 'aviarium'
Two of my favorite pastimes are creating aviaries and aquarium set ups. I have several others...Check out the title "Crazy Bird House -Finished" under housing for my latest complete redo of a house into a bird aviary Still more rooms to go

[H2015]

Thank you so much for all the details! This is very inspiring and helpful information.

I'd love to see your aquarium settings too!

[cntrymeadow]

Beautiful!
Can I ask what did you use for the 'wire mesh'?
It almost looks flat not round like wire in the pictures.

[CandoAviary]

It is a heavy gauge weld wire, also called hadware cloth. The wire is round, I guess it is just the pictures that make it look flat.