Using pine mulch for aviary floor

[vienneparis]

I'm considering natural pine mulch for lining the floor of the aviary that I'm having built. Has anyone used that material for floor lining? How is it compared to other materials that you've used?
Thanks

[cindy]

Kiln dried pine is good, got the ok from our avian vets. I use it in mine. Use the bigger flakes, easier to clean up and less likely to be blown through the wire.

Avoid corn cob it molds and grows fungus easily, if ingested it can swell in the digestive tract

Avoid crushed walnut (they make a fine size that is the size of seed) if ingested it can tear the digestive tract, can cause impaction.

Avoid the pine pellets, the odor is strong when wet. When wet they break down into sawdust which is very fine and can be inhaled into the lungs and cause respiratory issues. In humans they found inhaling sawdust for lengthy periods can cause lung cancer. (showed the vet a sample of it in the whole state and the clumped state which was after it was wet and the final stage...the sawdust and she said absolutely not to use this)

[MiaCarter]

I noticed that the OP has quail, which tend to be bottom dwellers.

I know that pine has some oils that can be harmful. I imagine it wouldn't be problematic to the finches, since they don't spend any length of time on the floor.
But could it be harmful to the quail? Esp. since they tend to eat dropped seed off the floor?

When I had outdoor enclosures (I did a lot of wildlife rehabbing), I did river stone floors as whatever wood type I picked, there was always some creature who would have a problem with it. It was really easy to hose down. But I'm not sure how good that would be for a ground dwelling bird's feet.

[cindy]

Kiln dried pine is fine (key words kiln dried) it is also used in nest boxes for various species of hookbills without incident and is vet approved.

Do not use and cedar chips since that contains oils that mix with urine and can give off fumes that can sicken or kill birds especially if used within a closed nest box.

[vienneparis]

Cindy, thanks for the info. It's good to know that cedar is off limit as I had also considered it at one point. I'll be sure to look for the kiln dried pine.

BTW, what type of watering system do you use for your aviary?

[cindy]

I rigged a wire hanging structure to attach water tubes to it and I have a planter stand with a large plant dish (plastic).

[MiaCarter]

What a lovely set up, cindy!

Such a clever idea to use the plant stands for the food trays! What a great idea!

I'm jealous of all your lovely owls! So cute! I'm dying for a pair.

[vienneparis]

Thanks Cindy for sharing the photos. Yours is a lovely setup. I especially like the use of the plant stands.

Your owls are lovely. I'd love to get a pair, but I haven't seen them sold locally and I'm leery of buying them from faraway breeders. There's a bird mart coming up later this month in AZ so hopefully I'll see a few owls there.

[dutch]

cindy....awesome set and good looking birds