Could have been a disaster!

[dfcauley]

One fear I have always had with my fountain is that a fledging or juvie would get into it and not be able to get out.

I make sure the water is never deep and always clean, but always worry about that.....

Yesterday, I come home from school (thankfully earlier than usual)
and find my newest dilute fledging sitting in the water soaking wet unable to fly out. Horror or all horrors.... I take him into my hands and hold it for about ten minutes to warm it up. It was so cold. Then.... I put him into the nest with my society finches that were sitting on eggs along with feeding one baby gould hoping for the best. I really didn't expect him to make it. AFter about fifteen minutes there he was in the doorway ready to fly out.

All is well, he is eating and begging and flying all over the place.

[lovemyfinch]

You must have been terrified. So glad he made it he is so adorable.

[cindy]

Hi, fountains sound like a nice additon to an aviary, do you need to put river rock or larger pebbles in it so it is less slippery or to help keep the water level from being to deep for the birds?

Glad your little baby is ok. You must have been very frightened for him.

[L in Ontario]

Glad you came home early and that he is safe!

[dfcauley]

Hi, fountains sound like a nice additon to an aviary, do you need to put river rock or larger pebbles in it so it is less slippery or to help keep the water level from being to deep for the birds?

Glad your little baby is ok. You must have been very frightened for him.

Thank you. I have not had rocks in it because I do not let the water be over 3/4 inch deep at the deepest part. It is not slippery and they mostly bath on top except for the larger birds (parrot finch, painted..)

I think I will now add a few Large rocks since this happened.

[cindy]

I was thinking of doing a flight and adding a water source like a small fountain, can you regulate the flow and the water level? I like the ones where the water rolls down a stone wall into a trough. I'm still in the planning stage.

[dfcauley]

I was thinking of doing a flight and adding a water source like a small fountain, can you regulate the flow and the water level? I like the ones where the water rolls down a stone wall into a trough. I'm still in the planning stage.

Cindy, I have tried those fountains ( I have tried MANY) and found this one to be the best. I got it at Wal-Mart and they now have them on clearance.

I absolutely love it. IT is not heavy, seperated at the top and is very easy to clean. IT is not deep although they prefer bathing on the top.

[lovemyfinch]

Donna, I just can't get enough of your pictures of the birds in the fountain. Too beautiful for words.

[cindy]

That is really nice, I am trying to think of a "theme" for my aviary if I do one...that fountain goes more with the front room in my home. Very pretty, I like the little area where the birds are perched. Your birds look happy, lucky birds. Thank you for the info, we have a WalMart not far from us, I will check it out.

[CandoAviary]

I am so glad you found him in time. What a cutie

On my fountains I place a branch across the bottom expances. My fountains have a bumpy edge with ridges so the baranc stays in place. They can always get out of the water by this brach if they ever get to wet to fly. I will get a picture a tocay and post it.

[CandoAviary]

Picture of the branches that they can use as the diving board



Of course nobody would come take a bath while I was filming.... They just napped

[CandoAviary]

Cindy,
I have one that is a natural look fountain that the water comes down the rocks ... I will have to get some pics of it for you...
My husband mounted it on a wood base cut to the same configurations as the bottom of the fountai and water sealed and painted it . He then attached wheels to the bottom so I can easily roll it outside to hose/sanitize.

[dfcauley]

I tried that once with a stick and the water all ran down the sick onto the floor.

I have now put some large rocks into it and that should help so that won't happen again.

[Sally]

So glad you found that little juvie in time. I have just bought one of those fountains like yours at Wal-Mart, but when I set it up, the water in the bottom part is fairly deep. When I tried to scoop out some water to make it shallower, the pump shut off. I think I will have to get some river rocks or something to put down in the bottom part. I have started letting my juvies out of their 5'x2.5'x6' cage for some free-flight time. The Stars started dive-bombing the fountain right away, but I also put some plants in that room, so they were distracted by the greenery. Do you run your pump 24/7, Donna? I figured I would turn it off at night, or put it on a timer, as I catch all the juvies up and put them back in their cage for the night.

[dfcauley]

Hi Sally,

I measured the water at the deepest part and it was 3/4 inch deep or up to the nuckle of my finger. I have now added some rocks since that happened, but I put some large rocks in there that would be easy to take out when I cleaned it. I think river rocks would make it more difficult to clean. That way I can just lift out the rocks , syphon out the water, remove the top and take it up for cleaning.

I leave it running all night. You will need to take the pump, remove the cover and clean the inside of it at least once a week.

I have purchased a spare pump from Lowe's just in case that one stops on me. I have really enjoyed mine and so have my birds. I hope you enjoy your's too. I know the birds will. That is great you are giving them some free flying time.