FINCHforum

Anyone have any suggestions for what waterers to use that will fit through 1/2" wire mesh? I've been using the Lixit bird bottles which I love, but can't figure out a way to fit them into the mesh easily. The tube waterers I have are just a hair too big to fit through as well. Anyone know of a particular brand that might be small enough?

What about converting to small animal water bottles?

DanteD716 wrote:What about converting to small animal water bottles?

Well my zebras are already using the lixit bird bottles, which are essentially the same as the hamster bottles, except they have a read plastic ball at the end, I think to attract birds' attention better. They attach to the cage with a special bracket, which I do really like, but since they have to live onto it, it will not work, unless I cut a couple segments of mesh.
I would be okay with switching to a different style, but in my experience, they leak, and I don't want to deal with that... If you have a brand you would recommend, that would be great!

I have not found anything either. I use the Lixit and the silo style waterers, but nothing else has worked well for me.

i'll check what brand I use tommorow, I'm not home. They are perfect finch size, fit onto the mesh onto my homemade cage, don't drip, I love them!

I cut one of the cross wires to make a hole 1/2" wide and 1" tall. Then I spread the hole wider w a plier. That allows me to slip in a tube waterer. I'll try to post a pix tomorrow.

ac12 wrote:I cut one of the cross wires to make a hole 1/2" wide and 1" tall. Then I spread the hole wider w a plier. That allows me to slip in a tube waterer. I'll try to post a pix tomorrow.

Thanks Gary. This is what I am thinking of doing so a picture will help for sure.

Nelissa, which one on this page do you use...they have many sizes.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

ac12 wrote:I cut one of the cross wires to make a hole 1/2" wide and 1" tall. Then I spread the hole wider w a plier. That allows me to slip in a tube waterer. I'll try to post a pix tomorrow.

That is exactly what I have done with my galvanized wire cages. The only disadvantage is that now I have a permanent hole in the cage, but the waterers usually don't get moved around anyway. The one time I did need to change the position, I just used zipties crisscrossed over the hole to block it in.

Sally that was a concern of mine. The zip ties are a great suggestion! Thanks!

cindy wrote:Nelissa, which one on this page do you use...they have many sizes.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

Which what do I use? Their site is kinda screwy so the link just takes me to the main catalog page.
If you mean which lixit bottle, it is this one:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/bird ... ottle.html

I also have it in the 5 oz size, which I originally got at Petco, for more than the 10oz size cost through pet mountain!

Can I make a suggestion in regards to the hole in the screen.....you could take a piece of white plastic mesh with a tiny hole smaller than the tip of the bottle in the center and slits radiating den the center towards the edges put stop before the corners. You can attach this to the screen to cover the area the bottle end needs to go through. It closes over the space when you remove the bottle.

cindy wrote:Can I make a suggestion in regards to the hole in the screen.....you could take a piece of white plastic mesh with a tiny hole smaller than the tip of the bottle in the center and slits radiating den the center towards the edges put stop before the corners. You can attach this to the screen to cover the area the bottle end needs to go through. It closes over the space when you remove the bottle.

What kind of white plastic mesh? Like the craft kind?

I'm not sure it would be necessary though, because I would only be cutting one or two horizontal wires, no vertical ones, so it wouldn't be any larger of an opening than normal cages with 1/2" spacing. BUT, I am still thinking about that suggestion, as it might help to keep the wire from bending out of shape...

Yes....I am home in a bit....I can try making one for you.

cindy wrote:Yes....I am home in a bit....I can try making one for you.

I think I understand by your description, but if you have the mesh and it wouldn't be too much trouble, that would be appreciated!