Need some advice

[Kelly]

So hubby is building another cage for me some what like this one (This is not ours it's a friends)
I was wondering if you can use Flex Seal©(Rubberized Coating Forms A Watertight, Flexible Seal) on the bottom so the wood wouldn't get wet and icky and easier to clean or would this be a bad idea?

[Babs _Owner]

Kelly

Does "flexible seal" mean it can be scraped off, or peeled off in anyway?
If so, I wouldnt use it. Im not quite sure what that means.

If it doesnt work maybe you can find a floor tile in an attractive faux wood pattern. That would be easy to clean up.

I love the aviary. very spacious!

[lovezebs]

Kelly

Hi Kelly

I agree with Babs on this one.
Tile or linoleum, would be easy to clean, without the danger of birds being able to peel or eat it.

That's a beautiful flight cage that your friends have. Did hubby built that one too. (Do you want to rent him out? )

[paul-inAZ]

What you use depends in part on what species you will put in there.
Are they chewers like budgies and several of the small hook bills?
Or finches that rarely chew wood?

A thought for sealing and waterproofing would be saturating in a penetrating oil like boiled linseed oil. BLO is also called flax seed oil and derived from flax. Some may say it is toxic but any toxicity is only in super-massive doses so shouldn't pose any threat once it soaks in and dries.

Available in paint depts. of the big boxes or woodworking stores. Flax oil from a health food shop will cost a bundle.

Edit: to add that if the floor is wood and you use linoleum or whatever to cover it the 2x2 framework of the cage will still need sealing. Thats where linseed would come in.

[Lucille]

I wanted to try to find the Flex Seal MSDS. To me it is a huge red flag that there is no company name/address on the sites I saw. There is the following warning:



This product seeps into cracks and holes to seal out air and moisture. When dry, it is a long-lasting, watertight, paintable, flexible rubber coating that won't sag, drip, crack or peel. It stops leaks fast and is the easy way to coat, seal and protect almost anything.

Treats 2 to 12 square feet
Excellent for: Roof leaks, gutters, skylights, hoses, windowsills, PVC pipes, flashings, duct work, foundations, basements, chimneys, downspouts, vent pipes, A/C drip pans, RVs & campers, trailers and so much more
No CFCs
Made in USA

Warnings
DANGER: EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. VAPOR HARMFUL. MAY CAUSE EYE, SKIN AND RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION. CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

DANGER: Contains Toluene (108-88-3), Odorless Mineral Spirits (64742-48-9), Aliphatic Petroleum Solvent (64742-89-8), Calcium Carbonate (1317-65-3), Carbon Black (1333-86-4) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (68476-86-8). Use only in a well-ventilated area. Intentional misuse by concentrating and inhaling the product can be harmful or fatal. Do not use near heat, sparks or open flame. Avoid contact with eyes or prolonged contact with skin. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Do not expose to heat or store at temperatures above 120°F.

WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

FIRST AID: IF EYE CONTACT: Flush with large amounts of cool running water for at least 15 minutes while holding upper and lower lids open. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. If irritation persists, get medical attention immediately. IF SKIN CONTACT: Wash with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. EXCESSIVE INHALATION: Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention immediately. If breathing stops, give artificial respiration. IF INGESTED: Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately. FOR EMERGENCY, CALL INFOTRAC: 1-800-535-5053.

[lovezebs]

Lucille

Yikes.... double YIKES!!!
I wouldn't use it.


@paul-inAZ

My brother uses linseed oil in his wood working. That stuff stinks up tp high heaven. Personally, I wouldn't use ot around my birds

[paul-inAZ]

re: Linseed oil: I use it all the time in my woodwork shop to finish furniture. It does have a smell when wet. Not exactly what I'd call a stink though.
When fully dry after several days to a week in the sun it no longer has any smell.

[Kelly]

Wow thanks ya'll..I think I'll look into something else for the bottom..I do like the idea of floor tiles thanks Babs

I'll look into the Linseed Oil too..I've actuall never heard of it

@lovezebs..This one is the 2nd one he has built..He says it's not ornate enough. The new one he is working on will even have crown molding, LED lighting and be tall enough for a few fake trees..( some days I would give him away for free)

[Lucille]

"This one is the 2nd one he has built..He says it's not ornate enough. The new one he is working on will even have crown molding, LED lighting and be tall enough for a few fake trees..( some days I would give him away for free)"

He sounds like a true jewel. Everyone has those days you want to give them away free (It actually cost me some in legal fees when I gave away my exes) but you have a treasure worth keeping, IMHO.

[cindy]

I use a section of visqueen cut to fit the interior of my indoor walkin, then I place paper or kiln dried pine on top of it... the visqueen can be tacked down or not... it is easier wiped down and changed out with a new piece... it works well.

[Kelly]

Lucille

Yeah I wouldn't trade him for anything..He's a great husband and daddy..He puts up with my craziness so that says a lot for him lol

@cindy

Thanks I'll look at that also

[lovezebs]

Kelly

Hee hee heee.....
Wouldn't want him full time (with all due respect), just long enough to build me one of those things, the whole length of the back wall of my kitchen.

[Kelly]

lovezebs

If we lived closer he would ..He likes building things and in the winter things finally slow down a bit around here

[lovezebs]

Kelly

I guess it would be a bit of a commute between Wisconsin and western Canada, sighhhh.... LOL

Would love to see some pictures of the work in progress.