FINCHforum

What does every one use for bottom of flight cages? we are currently using sterilized corn cob....any ideas on what brand/type is best? where is the best buy?

I've heard corn cob is especially prone to molding. Be careful.

I just use plain old newspaper.

I use newspaper.
But for some places where they poop more "wet" poop, I put wood pellets. These are from PetSmart. I think they are cat litter. I get them in a 20 or 25 pound sack. I sprinkle it below the perches and it absorbs the urine from the poop, reducing the smell.

I use a product called oil dri, construction sand and/or cheap clay kitty litter. Using a reptile litter scoop I just sift through the bedding and remove all the mess just like you would a litter box. In well over 10 years I haven't had a problem with it yet.
Corn cob when it gets wet can mold quite fast so be very careful using it.
good luck

Newspaper.

I use a recycled paper product, Cel-Sorb Plus, which I like very much. I've used kitty litter and found it to be dusty and it sticks to the tray when it gets wet (around the bath). I didn't care for paper - I made a hell of a mess every time I changed it, spilling seeds and such everywhere.

I use newspaper too, but would love something better. If I could afford to, I think I would use the sandpaper sheets. The feathers would adhere to the sandpaper and keep the mess down more. I have wire at the bottom of all my cages, so it wouldn't be an issue for my birds feet. But for now...newspaper it is

I'm another newspaper user. But Gary, that's a good idea to put something extra in the "bathroom areas"

I looked at some Kitty litter last night at the grocery store, however a lot of the non-clay/sand type was made from pine. I read pine is not good for the finches, so I didn't purchase it. I've been using newspaper. Shredded newspaper is great for absorbing, but solid pieces sift down to the tray. I guess I could put a solid sheet first, then shredded on top. I currently use the grates in my cages, but the one I am making will not have them.

I also wish I could find a solution that does not involve newspaper. It seems like it makes more of a mess than it solves. And if it is in strips, the birds pull all of it up through the grate and put it in their nests . Does anyone know whether it is safe to use Care Fresh pet bedding as litter? I have seen it at Petco and Petsmart. It is made from wood pulp and is supposedly safe for birds to use as litter or as bedding. I suppose it's not the most economical solution...Is wood pulp in general safe to use?

I looked at some Kitty litter last night at the grocery store, however a lot of the non-clay/sand type was made from pine. I read pine is not good for the finches, so I didn't purchase it.

I use the natural clay based kitty litter

I'm using natural Pine pellet cat litter, it is working great.

ivy hill wrote: What does every one use for bottom of flight cages? we are currently using sterilized corn cob....any ideas on what brand/type is best? where is the best buy?

There is actually a cat litter called Yesterday's News, that's made out of recycled newspaper. Maybe we should give it a shot for our cages. I have used it for my kitty's after surgery (neuter).

Ginene, I saw that and thought it might be worth a try.

@debbie276, does the clay litter get kicked up or tossed around when the birds fly around?

All my cages and aviaries were built by my husband and have no trays with solid material going around the bottom about 6 inches high so all the mess stays inside. The litter is pretty heavy so I don't think it could fly around.