Indoor aviary: bottom

VM0572 · Post by **VM0572** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:35 pm

What do you use/suggest for the bottom of your indoor aviary?

Post by **Hilary** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:43 pm

I used walnut shell in my cages for awhile and loved it - no smell, looked nice, and was easy to clean. Unfortunately my seed moths also loved it, so I'm back to newspaper. I also like dried grass/hay for the bottom of larger cages, and have spoken with people with larger aviaries who loved it.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:11 pm

I was using corn cob bedding... until that made a much bigger mess than their food. Now I'm back to newspaper as well.

VM0572 · Post by **VM0572** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:21 pm

Would dirt or sand work? Anyone has tried that? I have 2 aviaries about 10X8 feet; I'd need to invest in quite a bit of newspaper. I'm using wood chips right now.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:26 pm

It could work.... I've never tried it. I don't know if I'd want dirt inside....

kittani79 · Post by **kittani79** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:16 pm

Anyone have anything against the pine pellet bedding? I use that simply because it's what I'm used to using at work, but if there's some reason I shouldn't....

zookeeper · Post by **zookeeper** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:17 pm

The pelleted pine should be fine.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:25 am

i have always used sand,and never anything else..other people use other stuff and find it works for them...i would experiment and see what works best sand is easier for me as it doesnt blow about..and i just go to the beach and fetch a bucketfull back with me and seive it it doesnt cost me a penny

ken

Virdilak · Post by **Virdilak** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:31 am

When I have one, I would like to use dirt and planted natural grass. Anyone know anything about that?

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 7:44 am

hi
there is a small problem when you use grass...the birds droppings tend to turn the grass sour so it needs to be hosed down,then the grass starts to look a mess.i would just use dirt if you cannot find anything else even in a dry climate grass does not work very well i am afraid

ken

Virdilak · Post by **Virdilak** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:24 am

Boo, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:58 am

builders sand would do if you cant find anything else...i use pea gravel on mine and it hoses down really well and its cheap

ken

VM0572 · Post by **VM0572** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:45 pm

So if I use sand...wouldn't I need to clean up the droppings after a while? My aviaries are in the basement; thus I'd have to haul all of the sand up the stairs..and get rid of it. Or would the droppings deteriorate; so one wouldn't have to worry about it?

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:10 am

all i do is seive it through with a flour seive that you can buy from any store a metal one is best..i just put it in the seive with a little flat scoop that i found in a garden shop that way you can sieve out all of the droppings ..when it starts to pong i vac it up with a wet and dry vac and dump it in the bin..or you can mix it in your garden soil if you have a clay soil as it makes good drainage!and the droppings that have passed through it and the urine will make good fertiliser for your soil!

ken

Marigold · Post by **Marigold** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:53 am

Hilary wrote:I used walnut shell in my cages for awhile and loved it - no smell, looked nice, and was easy to clean. Unfortunately my seed moths also loved it, so I'm back to newspaper. I also like dried grass/hay for the bottom of larger cages, and have spoken with people with larger aviaries who loved it.

I use walnut shell too and had moths......YUCKY

I replaced the walnut shells and mixed several tablespoon of 5% Sevin Dust in each bottom tray. I still have the grate on the bottom so the Ladies can't get to the Sevin Dust. It worked.

I try to pooper scoop the walnut shell as often as I can. ( I have 23 individual cages) I replenish the Sevin Dust everytime I clean. So far so good.

I also have window cling bug strips. I am afraid to use bug strips that hangs. I have had several Ladies escape and I would be so upset if one got caught in the hanging strip.....

I will have to replace the walnut shells every 6 months to keep the moths away.