Vikon s

[anncurriew]

Does anyone use Virkon S to clean their finch cage and if so do you take the birds out prior to cleaning the cage? I have read mixed things about this. I have a large flight cage and usually move the birds to one side of the cage (which can be divided in half) while I clean the other half.(Currently using Poop Off. I read where one keeper wiped the cage and perches off with a weak solution of Virkon s and water while the birds were in the cage (wiped not sprayed). I know you can use it with the sprouts and I have read that others use it in their birds daily water.

I am confused and need help here. I want to use Virkon S because of its broad spectrum effectiveness but the idea of having to remove my birds every time I clean the cage (which is weekly) and the stress that will bring on them bothers me.

Thanks, ACW

[finchmix22]

I use Pet Focus to clean and disinfect the cages and dishes, but the food dishes must be rinsed well after soaking in the Pet Focus. I also have Virkon and use that for drinking water sometimes. The direction tell you the dosing for drinking water or baths. As far as keeping the finches in the cage, I've had too many escape so, I move them to a temporary and smaller cage while I take the flight outside, hose it down, spray with Pet Focus and scrub any remaining junk, then rinse again and let it dry in the sun. Then, I replace all perches, dishes and greenery and finally bring the flight inside and put the finches back.

[Sally]

Virkon S is a perfectly safe disinfectant. If you can clean the cage by moving the birds to one side, putting in a divider, and then working on the other side, that is what I would do personally. Lots easier on you and on the birds. I have not used Virkon S in my drinking water (though Mike Fidler tells of a breeder he knows who does it). I do soak my water tubes in a bucket of Virkon S water, and I take them out of that bucket, no rinsing, fill them with clean water and hang them on the cage. So I don't think you'd need to rinse anything in your cage either.

[monotwine]

Also if you search the Finchforum for Virkon S we have discussed it and other options that are safe for bird a few times. May give you alternatives.
The only thing with Virkon is it can be corrosive to metal long term.

[Smurf]

I use also the virkon -s for cleaning cages, soaking seed and cleaning drinkers/feeders/bird baths. When giving cages a thorough clean i do same as yourself and Sally and clean half the cage at a time and just wipe cage with a small sponge/scourer, as all my cages are double breeders this is easiest way of cleaning them with minimal disturbance to birds, when birds are incubating/feeding chicks i just remove/clean the tray which doesn't require placing divider in cage and do a thorough clean with virkon-s between clutches.

I don't use it in the daily water as i don't see any benefit in doing this if the drinkers are already clean and would imagine adding anything like virkon-s to the water would make the birds immune system less resistant.