Bedding - What to Use on Bottom of Cage

[debbie276]

I don't think you will want to put 2 inches worth of sand. All you need is to cover the bottom enough so when they walk and play around the bottom is still covered. It's main purpose is to prevent the poop from sticking to the bottom. You'll probably need to experiment a little till you get the amount that's good for you.
I've use construction all-purpose and play sand and both worked well. The play sand was much finer and a little more dusty because of it.

[debbie276]

Be careful with the corn cob bedding it can go moldy if it's too thick and doesn't dry out well.

[debbie276]

Another alternative is clay kitty litter. The sand can smell a little if you give the birds a dish to bathe in and they splash the water all around in the sand. The kitty litter doesn't smell even when wet.

[MissEdie]

Sakrete All-Purpose Sand

I got mine at Lowe's, so the bag looks a little different from the third one you linked, but what I use is called Sakrete All-Purpose Sand. You would not want to use the center one you linked, as it has portland cement in it. Not familiar with the first one.

I have to use a fairly thin layer on my cages, especially the ones that have a plastic tray, as the sand is very heavy--a plastic tray will bow, unless it is sitting right on a shelf or table. I believe the Vision cage is designed so you could put the sand in the bottom, which is basically sitting right on the table.

I'm thinking I remember reading that Debbie used playsand one time, and found it a little too fine (but I am not positive about this).

One little note on the sand--I had cleaned out an empty cage and filled the trays with sand. Left it overnight, and the next day, there were little tiny pawprints in the sand! Put out a mousetrap, and last night, I hope I got the mouse that left the tracks.

Can you link to a site you get your sand from? To show us a pic?
Silly question I know

[MissEdie]

Another alternative is clay kitty litter. The sand can smell a little if you give the birds a dish to bathe in and they splash the water all around in the sand. The kitty litter doesn't smell even when wet.

Plain old fashion Clay litter?, or maybe the unscented scoop-able kind?

[Sally]

I have used the Oil-dri product too. As with any of these options, there are good and bad things about each one. The Oil-dri absorbs moisture extremely well, since that is what it is designed to do. To me, it didn't have an odor, but a friend who is more sensitive to odors could smell the Oil-dri. It stays in place, but is not as easy to clean as sand, because the individual pieces are much larger than grains of sand. It is much lighter than sand, but still heavy.

I too would caution about the corn cob bedding. Many of the beddings sold in pet stores are designed to be placed in a tray which is under a grate, keeping the birds from contact with the bedding. I contacted several of these companies about this when I removed all the grates from my cages, and most of them said they don't recommend contact with the birds. Aspen bedding is attractive and smells good, but I like to give my birds a bath, and the birds constantly got aspen bedding in their bath dish, since this bedding is very lightweight.

[MissEdie]

I was thinking of the bird bath they have, but was thinking it would mess up my plexiglass,lol
http://www.mylivingdesign.com/index.php ... &Itemid=68.


(not trying to change the subject)

[debbie276]

The kitty litter has to be the ones that are just clay with no scent. You don't need the clumping on because there isn't that much to clump It's usually the cheapest store brand litter that's just clay.

[ac12]

I use newspaper.
For the birds with WET poop, I used the compressed wood pellets from PetSmart. I buy it in a BIG bag, so it isn't as expensive as small bags. The wood pellets absorb the urine and other wet stuff, and keeps the cage from smelling. Although I have not used it for a while. I put it under the perches and away from the bath.

[debbie276]

Home Depot has the same as these from Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_10392-286-11135 ... facetInfo=
http://www.lowes.com/pd_98545-286-1152 ... facetInfo=

[Sally]

I can't take a photo, as I still don't have my charger, but I have 3 bags in the back of my truck right now. I went and looked at them, and this is what I have:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?par ... &cId=PDIO1

It's funny how different locations will have slightly different stock.

Since that old thread called 'Bottom of Cage' was revived, I think I will merge them, as both these threads are discussing what to use in the bottom of cages/aviaries. If it gets too difficult to follow after the merge, just let me know, and I will try to clean it up even more.

[Sally]

I was thinking of the bird bath they have, but was thinking it would mess up my plexiglass,lol
http://www.mylivingdesign.com/index.php ... &Itemid=68.


(not trying to change the subject)

That's a cute bird bath, I just wonder if the bottom saucer part is big enough to let the birds get all the way in the water. One thing you will have to watch with plexiglass--when the birds bathe, they get water all over your plexiglass, so you may not want to leave the bath in all day, like I do in many of my cages. Also, plexiglass scratches very easily, so don't use paper towels to dry the splashes from bathing, use a soft dish towel.

[Sandra]

Great info on here! Thanks for the explinations.

I was wondering about kitty litter ... good to know I can use it. Might be easier for me to pick up at store as is not too heavy.

[MissEdie]

I can't take a photo, as I still don't have my charger, but I have 3 bags in the back of my truck right now. I went and looked at them, and this is what I have:

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?par ... &cId=PDIO1

It's funny how different locations will have slightly different stock.

Since that old thread called 'Bottom of Cage' was revived, I think I will merge them, as both these threads are discussing what to use in the bottom of cages/aviaries. If it gets too difficult to follow after the merge, just let me know, and I will try to clean it up even more.

I another thread (http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... er#p186368 ) I saw you were gonna try Kitty litter.
Did you try it? and decided you like sand better?

Great info! I will also try the Zeolite. Thanks for sharing!

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... te#p187343
Has anyone tried Zeolite yet?
I found this info
http://www.zeocat.es/english/livestock.htm which is good
and this one ,which is bad about it
http://www.phytoz.com/what-is-it.html
However, there are MANY different types of Zeolites. Buyer beware! As a mined mineral, volcanic in origin, many Zeolites contain heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.
Quote/unquote

[MissEdie]

http://www.reptiledirect.com/vita-sand.aspx
Kinda expensive,but maybe good for birds?