Tray liner option

[cindy]

I know this was a topic earlier but I thought I would share this with you.

I have tried paper towels, newspaper,aspen chips, shredded paper under the grates of the 30 x 18 cages.

Paper towles and newspaper don't work at helping contain the seeds that drop into the tray and bounce out onto the floor.

Aspen is costly and flies out of the cage when the birds are fluttering around. Shredded paper is ok but is a pain to get the drawer in and out, it clumps.

I decided to try unscented cat litter, it is white, pretty much dust free. At $2.69 a 15 lb bag it is a bargain. It looks pretty nice on the bottom of the cages.

The only cage I don't use it on is the flight cage for the shaftails. I removed their grate and use Cozy Comfort in the tray.

So we shall see how it works. Has anyone else tried this?

[L in Ontario]

Hmmm I have not tried that and will leave it up to you to give us a full report!

[dfcauley]

Cindy,

Do you not worry about them eating it???

I don't use cages.... but on the floor of my aviary I place large towels under poop areas. I wonder how this would work with smaller ones??

[JohnBoy]

Cindy, I have had certain cat litters kill my ferrets. I would not use cat litter in the cages.

[cindy]

This is unscented plain clay, they can not get to it it is under the grate.

[cindy]

I am removing it...

[JohnBoy]

The clay has to have some sort of chemicals in it to remove odor from the cat urine, I would think. Maybe I am wrong. Also I thought you had removed the grates from your cages thinking the birds were coming in contact with the litter.

[cindy]

No..The cages it had it in have grates that can't come out..I'm tossing it now and replacing with paper until I speak to the avian vet about it.

[JohnBoy]

I searched clay litter and supposedly its just that, clay. So I assume it would probably be safe. It is best though to ask your vet.

While researching the clay I saw where the latest thing in cat litter seems to be silica. Have you thought of using a coarse silica? I would think it would trap the seed from flying all over and you can wash it in a colander and reuse it. You can purchase it in a pet store. It is usually sold as natural gravel. Just a suggestion.

[cindy]

I thought about aquarium gravel in the tan color, since it would be under the grates. I pour the dirty gravel into a container of water and bleach soak it and rinse in a big colander with the hose. It may work and it is a one time expense. I have tile floors and the seed bounces everywhere.

I also started re-introducing the seed hoppers. I found the trick with the owls is to place it up high near a perch they like. Both pairs like that. I ordered a couple more for other birds that like to splash seed. I found the neatest are Zebras, silverbills, gold breast and helena.

I will look into the silica, there is a salt water and aquarium whole sale place near by I may stop in and see what they have. Since they can't get to the tray under the grate I don't have to worry about them eating it. I won't use corn cob because of mold issues.

[JohnBoy]

Even if they ate it silica can't hurt them. But I would think the size you would want would be to large for the birds to eat anyway.

[cindy]

I'll check it out...the litter was pretty dust free until you dump it which I did away from the birds. I know about the impaction situation with corn cob so I only used the litter under grates. One night should not have harmed them...I'll just look for another solution to seed on the bottom of feet and socks!!!!

[JohnBoy]

Tracking seed all over the house goes along with the program of having birds in the house. I have to remove my shoes 20 times a day to get the seed out of them.

[cindy]

Maybe I can train the dogs to vacuum!!!! LOL

[FeatherHarp]

Maybe I can train the dogs to vacuum!!!! LOL

LOL...ya...we had a "Hoover Hound" years ago....might have to get another one again.

It is always a struggle to find just the right kind of substrate for our birdies isn't it? I was reading about the "NeaterTweeter" Mess Magnet that catches seeds and feathers but I would have to win the Lottery first before getting some of those as they are pretty pricey. But I like the idea of using something sticky to hold the seeds etc. but then the finches can't forage on the cage floor. This stuff only works for the bigger Parrots who have a grate to walk around on.

Cindy...I think just taking out your floor and putting in a grate so everything falls into the basement would work...heh!