will fumes from refinishing wood floor be toxic to finches?

[alittlebirdy]

We are planning to refinish our wood floors in kitchen. My finches are in an aviary right next to the area. Do I need to take them to another part of the house while this is being done? I am thinking I should because of the fumes but the move will disturb my finches who are in the nest. It will be a chore because I will have to house them in temporary cages. The aviary is too large to move. I can't put off the project because we are planning a large party in June and we need to complete this before that time.

[debbie276]

Is there anyway of closing off the doorway with maybe a sheet and putting fans in the windows to draw out the dust and fumes?

[alittlebirdy]

I think I could put up a plastic tarp to block the kitchen from the family room. I could also open windows to ventilate and use fans. Thx.

[Ginene]

Poly is sooo strong... I would move my guys...better to be safe than sorry...

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Depending on the VOC content in the product you use, it could be fatal to them if NOT properly ventilated. Bob

[cindy]

If you have central air do not turn it on while redoing the floors...it will pull the fumes and dust through out the house. We had to move our 8x6x3 aviary, we used the long moving men pads to slide it across the room.

[Lisa]

We recently did construction work in our home and not only thick wooden doors dividing the birds from the room where the work was done, but also had the doors sealed with plastic also. We bought NO-VOC paint to use, and guess what? The birds still had a reaction (we think from the glues used).

I would not take any chances... move them to temporary cages. How terrible would you feel if you don't and something bad happens? Not worth the chance, imo.

[Casper]

When we redid our cork floor, the guys doing it recommended that i send my birds completely offsite, so they went on a little holiday to my sisters place for a few days!

[Toddmin]

When I had the interior of my house painted, I moved the birds to another part of the house. I had a hen sitting on eggs, and one new clutch that had hatched. I didn't take them out of cage, but rather move the entire thing. I've noticed when it gets dark, they get really sedated/mellow. I can even put my hand in their, close to them, without them getting all worked up, so waited until then and slowly moved the cage. They didn't stir a bit!

Perhaps if you seal that room off really well, turn off the HIVAC, and have fans in the Kitchen windows, pulling air OUT of the kitchen, they will be ok. That way, all the fumes and such would be drawn out of the house and away from the birds.

[alittlebirdy]

Thanks for all the good advice. I think I will try to move the aviary or put them in other cages and move them upstairs. I don't think I should take a chance. I will turn off AC too and use fans to direct the air. Hopefully it isn't too hot during those few days. Good idea to move them at night.