Softwood & paper substrate

[6finchfriends]

Has anyone used Petco softwood (aspen) and paper bedding for their flight cage floors?

[CandoAviary]

I have used carefresh paper for a while. I( just started usuing the carefresh with shavings in the cage bottoms here at the shop...so far I like it. Here is the post from last week discussing the aspen shavings
http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2 ... sh#p172368

[6finchfriends]

Thanks Candace. I put it in and now the birds are afraid to go to the bottom of the flight. ha. I'm sure they'll feel more comfortable in the morning. I might have put too much in. It's pretty thick. I like the smell of the wood. Smells fresh.

[CandoAviary]

I put it thick also...I want the cages here to look as clean as possible. If your birds aren't use to it it may take them a few days to figure out it is okay. You could always lay a piece of paper on top and cut the paper size down each day.... That way they can get use to a bit more of the wood substrate showing without being overwhelmed with a complete change all at once

[6finchfriends]

I never thought of that! You're so smart. Actually today they were okay with it. I like it a lot better than the paper. I'll bet it looks very nice in your shop!

[nelloyello11]

I've often wondered - do the wood shavings pose a risk of splinters?

[CandoAviary]

I use aspen shavings which are soft and no splinters. I also have grates in the bottom of the cages so they aren't able to get to the shavings anyway. In he aviaries I stick to the paper product made by carefresh. mainly because last longer and even if the finches splash a lot of water it always dries out without ever molding.... wood products sometimes don't dry out very effeciently. The birds hop around directly on this sustrate and the only problem has been that sometimes they pack a nest with it thinking it is nesting material

[CandoAviary]

I never thought of that! You're so smart. Actually today they were okay with it. I like it a lot better than the paper. I'll bet it looks very nice in your shop!

I learned everything I needed from my birds I don't know if being a bird brain is really the same thing as smart, but thanks for your appreciation of my birdy behavior insights

[FeatherHarp]

I see that this product you are discussing is on sale at my local Fleet Farm store. I am thinking of getting some to try but can anybody tell me if these shavings stay in the cage as the birds fly about?

I just have the HQ flight cage and don't use the grate so I am wondering if this stuff stays put fairly well as the birds land on it.

[CandoAviary]

I have grates in all of my cages so can't really help you with that. With the grates it does stay in the tray.