Water for large indoor aviary/flight?

managermania · Post by **managermania** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:03 pm

For those of you that have large indoor aviaries and flights, how do you provide water for your birds? I am trying to get some ideas for my current flight and a new one that I am designing. I do not have room for a fountain or running water. I also want an option that is sanitary and easy to change out. Thanks! Pics are great too.

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:28 pm

I just use the large dish from the bottom of a flower pot, switch it out with another every morning.

Ursula · Post by **Ursula** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:45 pm

In my aviary I have 3 clay saucers that I decorated with mosaic tiles. 2 are on the floor and 1 on the chair. And I have 2 tube feeders filled with water, the type that you use in cages. I have 2 strips of wire mesh mounted on the walls of the aviary where I hook them in, as well as a few seed hoppers.

I change the water in the dishes and tubes daily. I go into the room with a pitcher full of fresh filtered water and a big bowl for the old water from the dishes. Once a week I take all bowls/waterers out and scrub them in the sink. And once in a while I clean them with bleach water.

I think the key is finding spots where there are no or at least not the favorite perches overhead so there is minimal waste going into the water.

managermania · Post by **managermania** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:51 pm

You can see the water cups that I am currently using on the right side of the photo below. They go empty way too fast and I really do not have any where that I can mount the tube waterers. I would prefer those if someone has a creative way to attach them.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 4:22 pm

Chase, this is another option, it is a mushroom shaped drinker. It is rounded on top and slightly hard for the birds to stand on. I like the shape since it keeps the birds from standing on top and soiling the dish underneath.

I use these in my owl flights from time to time. Since you are using this on the bottom and have substrate I would use a small box, perhaps a small tupperware or rubbermaid container or wire shelf to stand it on so your wood shavings don't clog it.

Another option is to make a shelf a few feet from the ground and have that serve as a drining station...you can provide them with a bath at the bottom.

http://www.redbirdproducts.com/drinker.jpg

Rancel...Everything Birds in the Oldsmar Flea Market had these in blue, I believe they had different sizes. They are fairly inexpensive.

LuxandLolita · Post by **LuxandLolita** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 4:47 pm

some people use stone at the bottom of their aviaries. find a large sand stone(i would say at least 3"by3") with a nice indent in it and put water in it... but again there is the problem with bathing in it... try a tube feeder?

managermania · Post by **managermania** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 4:51 pm

Can you order on the the redbirdprocts web site or do you have to call?

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:20 pm

Chase, you have to call. They will take your order over the phone, you can email them to make sure they have it in stock.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:28 pm

I make a point now when building indoor or outdoor flights, to incorporate a cage front in a convenient place specifically to use feeders and drinking tubes that can be serviced from outside.

It can be a problem building bathing facilities indoors because of the mess.With my outdoor set up I built a seperate section intentionally, and made the floor a soakaway so that whenever I deem necessary I can spray with a hose from outside the netting.If I see droppings in the water I can replenish and clean it easily with the hose.
I use a large earthenware 'saucer' for a bath as it is heavy and stable when hosed.

Hecks in particular seem drawn to running water and will sit for hours next to my small water feature.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:49 pm

After seeing Paul's set up I remembered one on Foster and Smith, it hangs.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=21965

flyinverted · Post by **flyinverted** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 5:56 pm

I use simple to install rotating door / feeder dishes with stainless steel bowls.

I got them at a bird mart from http://www.featherfarm.com. I think they call them the flip-it feeder. I keep a few extra bowls on hand and swap them out every couple of days. I use 3 bowls for seed and one for water. This works fine for 20+ birds in the aviary. I have one door turned around to show you the other side.

The best part is that I don't need to go inside the aviary to change the seed or water dishes. It's quick spin, fill and go on my way.

managermania · Post by **managermania** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 6:09 pm

Thanks all. Very good thoughts and ideas from all. I love seeing the pics. It helps with my future planning!

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:59 pm

Sorry for the late response. I've had the same questions for my indoor aviary (which is still under construction and part of why I haven't finished it). The front and one side wall will be plexiglass. I like the idea of having doors on another side where I could put fresh water, but I don't like the bowl thing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

nelloyello11 · Post by **nelloyello11** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:56 pm

cindy wrote:After seeing Paul's set up I remembered one on Foster and Smith, it hangs.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=21965

I have seen something similar (maybe the same) to this at Lowe's or Home Depot, in the section with wild bird feeding seed and supplies. I looked at it and dreamed of the day when I will have a large enough aviary to use these....

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:01 am

flyinverted wrote:I use simple to install rotating door / feeder dishes with stainless steel bowls.

I got them at a bird mart from http://www.featherfarm.com. I think they call them the flip-it feeder. I keep a few extra bowls on hand and swap them out every couple of days. I use 3 bowls for seed and one for water. This works fine for 20+ birds in the aviary. I have one door turned around to show you the other side.

The best part is that I don't need to go inside the aviary to change the seed or water dishes. It's quick spin, fill and go on my way.

This is my whole point...Apart from keeping the birds happy,you should design your feeding setup to avoid as much work and disturbance as possible.
The hobby can turn into a drudge if every time you attend to the birds you cause disruption to nesting birds and you have the hassle of entering the flights to fill dishes.
Keeping the work to a minimum helps keep the hobby fun.

FINCHforum

Water for large indoor aviary/flight?

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