Problems with Food & Rain

[sandrofigueroa]

I have an outdoor aviary with a half roof on top to protect the finches from rain. Its been raining in florida every single day this week, and I hate that the seeds are getting soaking wet. I have them under the roof but its not helping to much. do any of you guys have some ideas on how to keep the seeds and food dry?

[ac12]

Try putting a seed hopper up near the roof, that way it is better protected from the rain.

[finchmix22]

I put a tarp with clips to hold it from the top to hand down on the open side so the rain won't leak through the aviary open portion.

[finchmix22]

I forgot to post a pic. Here is a view of one side of the aviary with the blue tarp on top and the side. It's held in place with metal clips.

[sandrofigueroa]

thanks for the advise guys! question to finchmix22 do you leave the carp 24/7?

[poohbear]

Wet seed grows mould...mould kills birds...get it sorted quickly.

[finchmix22]

I use the tarp for shade in summer and wind and rain protection in winter. I also have a plexiglass top I secure over half the aviary and hang the tarp from that on top to hang over the sides. So, yes, all year the tarp is on some portion of the aviary, whether for rain, wind, or too much sun. Good Luck.

[cindy]

I live in the tampa Bay area...so we get storms every day during rainy season...this year has been very wet. I used to have birds on my porch. What I did was get clear or frosted plastic PVC free shower curtain liners or if the area is big use the tarpes that have the grommets, either mount a metal rod the length of the side exposed to the rain...put it up under the roof line. using metal or plastic shower rings thread the ring onto the rod and add hooks to the bottom to keep the tarp in place during wind and rain. When it is nice out you can pull this tarp back...the tarps are also useful in keeping cold and wind out, heat in during the winter.

Another option is frosted or clear fiberglass roofing sheet...they are kind off rippled...home improvement stores. You can mount clips to keep them in place...kind of like a hurricane shutter. Also getting your food up off the floor onto a shelf helps, put it in an area away from wind and rain...how about a covered cat litter box...place the food inside...to get them use to where it is leave a small dish just outide the box....just a thought.

[wellingtoncdm]

I started with an outdoor partially covered aviary. I had problems with seed molding, eggfood getting soggy and birds fluffed up and dying. I have since covered every inch of roof plus added an overhang on all outdoor aviaries and cages. I hang seed in cheap plastic bird feeders in the center as high as I can and change the dry premade eggfood daily. Fully covering all roofs has helped with mold, fungus and coccidiosis. What kinds of birds do you have?

[sandrofigueroa]

Thanks Cindy!!
how do you keep your finches in the winter season, because last year the temperature got to the 30. do you keep them outside or do you bring them inside? also Cindy they told me to ask you about Owl finches! I'm very interested in breeding them, maybe you can be my mentor!!

[cindy]

I used ceramic electric heaters. I no longer keep my birds on our lania and pool deck but when I did I had a lania/Florida room screened on two sides...it used extra large brown vinyl tarps and the ceramic heaters...I tested the temps inside by pulling the tarps and using heater and temperature guages in different areas...I tried to keep it about 70 in the winter...on warmer winter days the tarps were pulled back and the sun warmed the room. Make sure they have extra water to drink while running heaters. The bird aviary was actually warmer than my house...I used to go out there in mornings to warm up!!!

Do not use teflon coated wire heaters...ceramic is better. Mitsubishi Electric has come out with wall mounted units..not sure about the heating elements but it is worth looking into.

http://www.mitsubishielectric.com/produ ... html#air04

[sandrofigueroa]

I did get a carp today and now all the roof is covered , and for the seeds I got a bird feeder which is hanging very high and its been working perfect. It has been raining all day and the seeds are super dry! I'm feeding egg 1 to 2 times a week , and I put it in the aviary in the mornings and take it out in a couple hours.