What should the cage bottom be: wire or flat?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:59 am

I don't use newspaper either. I don't like the way it looks, plus I don't have a newspaper subscription so I would need to scrounge around for used newspapers. I have wire bottoms in my breeding cages. Haven't had an injury.

I use crushed walnut shell in the tray. Any water that is splashed about dries up quickly. Careful of corncob litter....it can quickly grow mold.

In the single flights, I have a wooden tray that I put their food in. They seem to enjoy pecking around for their food. The bad with wire grates is that if you feed mealworms, they can escape and quickly become beetles.

What are people going to do when all the newspaper companies stop printing it?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:25 am

atarasi wrote:
What are people going to do when all the newspaper companies stop printing it?

Paper towels? That is what I put on the bottom of my cages at school.
And yes.... they pulled at it!

mike · Post by **mike** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:00 am

I’m sure it is the same in other cities but here in Toronto we lots of free newspapers. They aren’t as thick as a full newspaper but one free newspaper can line one cage for about 6 months, maybe more.
There is also the free “Employment News” papers. Actually there are lots of free papers all over the place.
I don’t think newspapers will stop being printed. There is something about the tactile paper that wins out over the computer and many people prefer this. It’s the same reason paper books will never die to e-books.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:15 am

mike wrote:. It’s the same reason paper books will never die to e-books.

I don't know..... if I ever decide to splurge and buy a Kindle, I will never purchase another book!

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:01 pm

Another point to consider....Newspapers kill trees

They also produce very stinky and poluting smoke from the paper mills:( There are many recycled materials to use....and then add them to your compost barrels to break down and use to grow greens for your birds...without the worry of what is in the planting soil that you you are buying from the store

In the long run, what may be free just isn't worth it in the long run.

Okay I admit it, we do get a subscription to the newspaper

But that's because Hubby doesn't like to read his news from a screen........ and he likes to use them for crabpicking...YUM
This is the first one of the season and he is a whopper

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:30 pm

Newspapers kill trees??...So do squirrels...

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:21 pm

poohbear wrote:Newspapers kill trees??...So do squirrels...

I've seen that dude!!! 'Cept in our yard he blows up the feeders to scatter the seed.

mike · Post by **mike** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:27 pm

poohbear wrote:Newspapers kill trees??...So do squirrels...

Wouldn't squirrels be more expensive to line cages?

Shasta_man · Post by **Shasta_man** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:33 pm

Oh oh, the thread has gotten kind of squirrelly.

Wow they must have some monster papers in Canada. My cage is 30" x 18" wide. The paper would have to be huge to last six months. HA HA.

Wow, there is a lot of information in this one thread on various subjects. Thanks for everyone's time.

I looked at ABBAseed. Lots of stuff. Imagine what they could sell if they had a web designer! It looks more like a test for learning how to make webpages. Let's see how many animated objects I can get on the same page!

Let crabby dude go! I'm a diver and they look a lot cooler running around on the bottom. Don't worry. I know I'm not going to change your mind, but I have to say it because it's worth it. That attitude is part of the reason why I want to make the best cage possible because they look so much better free, but it's too late for them so I can only give them the best life possible.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:52 am

I commend you for trying to make the best cage and best possible life for your little finches. I also have mine for enjoyment and love just looking at them. This is why I choose to have a walk in aviary so they have lots of room.

My problem is that now that it has been brought to my attention that I have 36 birds in there (thanks Liz)

I need to think about either adding on or down-sizing.

I still think that you will find that newspaper is going to be the best way to go for the bottom. It is a quick clean up and the birds don't care how it looks. And as Paul said..... you can always put the politicians that you don't like... face up!

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:41 am

I have both wire and newspaper bottom cages.
Based on my experience, for one factor wire is better. When my birds bath, they splash water out of the enclosed bath onto the newspaper lined tray. With the wire, the birds are not walking on the water softened poop.
With bare newspaper, they are walking the the water softened poop.

And the poop does sometimes stick to their feet.
So with newspaper, I have to change the paper more often, to minimize the amount of soft poop that they walk in. I had not considered this when I made my cages. Now I'm back on the fence as well.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:08 am

This is another problem with newspaper.

After you stop giving them nesting material, if they still want nesting material they will tear up the newspaper. Sometimes they tear off BIG pieces. I removed the BIG piece, as it was covering up too much of the nest, including the eggs.

ac12 · Post by **ac12** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:08 pm

I am getting fed up with newspaper cage bottom

When I have pairs sitting on eggs, the males have figured out how to get more nesting material.
When they take a bath they splash water out of the bath, onto the newspaper. The wet paper is easy to tear, and he tears them. The males have shredded the newspaper to the point that I have been replacing the newspaper almost daily.

The newspaper does little good when it is shredded. And they fill the nest with the shredded paper, as in some of my pix show to the point that there is a blanket of newspaper several layers thick over the eggs.

I am about ready to switch to wire bottom cages for my breeding cages.

Pukasand · Post by **Pukasand** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 3:36 pm

I use paper towels. I took out all the grates that were 'take-out-able'. It's a pain to have to change them everyday, in 5 large cages, but, ya gotta do whatcha gotta do ...! That's why I'm building a birdroom /aviary. Linoleum floor and lotsa room to fly.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:30 pm

Candace said: Okay I admit it, we do get a subscription to the newspaper But that's because Hubby doesn't like to read his news from a screen........ and he likes to use them for crabpicking...YUM
This is the first one of the season and he is a whopper ..............................................................................................

Oh Candace save some for me...I'm coming to your house to eat!!!!! Oh Double Yum!

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What should the cage bottom be: wire or flat?

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