FINCHforum

I was wondering if finches are allergic to clay? I was thinking of using a small clay pot to be placed at the cage bottom for feeding them. Also, do any of you use pet bedding like the ones used for hamsters and rabbits to line the bottom of the cage so cleaning the bottom won't have to be done everyday? Or can I use mulch maybe?

subersibo wrote:I was wondering if finches are allergic to clay? I was thinking of using a small clay pot to be placed at the cage bottom for feeding them. Also, do any of you use pet bedding like the ones used for hamsters and rabbits to line the bottom of the cage so cleaning the bottom won't have to be done everyday? Or can I use mulch maybe?

Hi subersibo,

I use a clay saucer (tera cotta) that's meant for under plant pots. I use it as a bird bath, and one for a larger treat dish for greens. I wanted something that they could perch on to eat without tipping it over and terra cotta is not shiny so they have a good grip. I don't believe that there's anything in them that could be harmful, but because they are somewhat porous you have to clean them very thoroughly between uses. If anyone knows differently or has doubts about their safety I'd sure like to know too! I'm not aware of any problems, but haven't had my birds for long enough to say for sure that they couldn't have any long term effects.

terracotta is fine,it is used on houses wanting to collect rain water for human consumption.And I have seen the dishes in many aviary's.As for your pet bedding in a aviary situation concrete or coarse river sand is best.As most finches require a dry floor.I use news paper in my cages that my budgies are in.seems to wok.

I use pot plant bases (terracotta) for my aviaries food and water dishes, no problems at anytime

mickp wrote:I use pot plant bases (terracotta) for my aviaries food and water dishes, no problems at anytime

That's all I use also. I get mine from Home Depot. I buy the smallest ones that have a shiny finish on the inside. I bought alot of them and change them out often by putting them into the dishwasher. They work great.

Thanks to everybody! I will buy some of those little pots as the plastic one I'm using is too light and rocks back n forth. I did place a small stone to keep it from toppling over but the clay pot seems like a nice solution.

I also use the terracotta plant saucers for food, 3 or 4 inch size. I mostly use seed hoppers for the seed, so these little dishes are used for eggfood, veggies, etc. I got mine at Hobby Lobby, they sell them in packs for less. I bought LOTS so that I can have one set in the dishwasher and the other set in use in the cages. My only problem is that I tend to be clumsy, and so I break a lot of them!

Donna & Sally how long have you had dishwashers in your birdrooms/aviaries I always thought they went in the kitchen

mickp wrote:Donna & Sally how long have you had dishwashers in your birdrooms/aviaries I always thought they went in the kitchen

Cute! As far as a dishwasher goes.... I have had one since I married. My dad would never buy one when I was a child because he said he had 4 dishwashers. Me and my 3 sisters.


Sally..... I have always put seed also in these little dishes. I have a large try that I sit 5 of them inside of. But what a mess those seeds make.

I have never used a seed hopper. (I know, I know...)
Do you think these would work in an open aviary and help with that mess?

Also, where do you get yours?

Donna, I have gotten seed hoppers from Tammy at www.justbirdstuff.com, also www.redbirdproducts.com, and I think www.fairestfinches.com carries them too. For cages, I love them, but I don't know if they would work as well for an aviary. hfentj uses a regular hanging bird feeder, then hangs a plastic tray or dish underneath to catch hulls and what they toss around. Those clear plastic plant saucers would probably work great for that.

Thanks Sally!