All sand floor - pros/cons?

steph · Post by **steph** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:28 am

I read somewhere that someone used several inches of sand as their aviary floor. Has anyone here done that? Can you share you experiences with it? How did you keep it clean? I remember reading that you can just rake off the top layer of sand when cleaning...does this work?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:51 am

I used to use it ...just rake over and remove top layer... heavy to use though.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:56 am

I think donna has the right idea just put paper under the areas where they poop a lot under perches food stations and just change when dirty

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:05 pm

I personally would never use sand. I would be tracking that stuff all in my house.

I think paper is your best bet.

Rayray · Post by **Rayray** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:42 pm

agrees with poohbear

ray

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:46 pm

I think it would work fine. They would probably love picking through it too. It would also cushion a fall well if a baby is tossed. It woud be nice and easy to scoop it out too for clean up. I use hay(not straw) for my aviary. I just buy a big bale at my feed store and line the whole floor with it. They love it for foraging, eating the seed heads and using it for nesting material. It is easily cleaned by taking it out and refilling.

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:51 pm

I also use Meadowgrass Hay for my cage (over paper). They do love to forage in it.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:25 am

I use several inches of coarse river sand.But my aviarys are outdoor.Keeps the floor dry,the birds can eat it as a grit.Maybe they can obtain trace elements from it?

I would not use it indoors,as it could get around the house.I would use newspaper in a small aviary indoors.

fincher · Post by **fincher** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:09 am

i do the the same as gomer as i have out door avairies as gomer said to use newspaper in side
thanks chris

steph · Post by **steph** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:37 am

gomer wrote:I use several inches of coarse river sand.But my aviarys are outdoor.Keeps the floor dry,the birds can eat it as a grit.Maybe they can obtain trace elements from it?

I would not use it indoors,as it could get around the house.I would use newspaper in a small aviary indoors.

Mine is in the screen porch, which is basically outside. What's your method for keeping it clean? Is it somewhat easy maintenance?

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:10 pm

mine are in the elements.rain washes most poop throught the sand.Where the sand is in a sheltered area,I rake the mess of the top and bin it.I dont like the idea of anything that mice can use,be it as a food,nesting material,or home.What ever way you decide,if it doesnt work try somthing else.