Planted cage

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Robbie
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Planted cage

Post by Robbie » Fri Jul 15, 2011 2:57 pm

Hi all, Still waiting for my cage to arrive so i can start looking for my first finch companions but am Reading up and getting things prepared in advance.
Was wondering what plants are safe to grow in the cage. Was planing on putting multiple seed trays on the bottom of the cage and growing suitable plants such as climbers to give it a more natural feel and provide little hiding places.
I also saw a 'grass' tray for sale as a food source. It did not go into detail about what species of grass that was used but I assume the birds would eat the young grass shoots as they emerge?

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:44 pm

These would be my recommendations:

Browntop Millet - my birds devour it
Japanese Millet
Dove Prose Millet
White Proso Millet

You can feed both the seed or sprout it granted keep in mind that millets may reach around 4-5' in height if not cut or trimmed. Maturity for seed heads range from 65-100 days. Browntop Millet maturing the earliest and being my birds favorite.

Now, it you want to grow seeds that are higher in protein, than I would look at Alfalfa, White Clovers, or Crimson Clovers. All of these grow well but be careful that you are purchasing seed that is NOT coated unless you plan to plant it in trays, wait until it germinates, and then incorporate it into your cage or aviary.

A third option would be either a straight seeded variety or a blend of brassicas. These tend to be cooler season crops but are high in protein as well. Varieties that are included but not limited to are: Purple Top Turnips, Siberian Kale, Radishes, and Dwarf Essex Rape.

All of these are excellent forages (sprouted) or feed options but I recommend buying from a registered seed dealer for planting as the seed ingredients in bird feed mixes have lower germination rates and tend to contain a lot of filler - not best for planting and I also find my birds like fresh seed that is less than a year or so old.

The seed varieties that I have mentioned above are all annuals and will typically only last for one season unless they are able to re-seed themselves but considering the circumstances will most likely not happen.

If you are interested in planting perennial forages for your birds let me know where you are located and I can make alternate recommendations but I have found mixing a legume (like your clovers or alfalfa) with millets to be the best blends.

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:45 pm

All of the pre-mentioned varieties are easy to germinate and do not recommend spending the big bucks on marketed grass trays.

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Robbie
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Re: Planted cage

Post by Robbie » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:17 am

Many thanks Foosa, I live on the coast in south Wales UK. My home is only 10 min walk from a sand dune system Nature Reserve that has many species of grass such as Cocks Foot, Marram, Fescue, etc etc. It also has many legumes such as Red/white Clover, Hairs foot Clover, common vetch, Black medic and many more.
Would any of these species be ok to grow in the cage?
Do the birds eat the young sprouts as they emerge?
Also I have prepurchased a foreign finch mix could some of these seeds be used in a seed tray as forage for the birds?
Are there any safe climbers such as Ivey i could also plant to make the environment more natural and provide sheltered spots?

Robbie

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Re: Planted cage

Post by jecagesandbirds » Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:50 pm

where you can buy those?

Browntop Millet - my birds devour it
Japanese Millet
Dove Prose Millet
White Proso Millet
JE Aviario
Email: jeaviario@gmail.com

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:43 pm

White clovers would be my first choice for a legume for your area in the UK and an excellent perennial would be a variety of orchardgrass if you can find it. As far as planting, I would stay away from bird mixes as they are a feed grade seed and are not intended for seeding- some seed may germinate but had not been tested for purity and germination rate. You also mentioned medics - do not plant medic as it could potentially be posionous.

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Re: Planted cage

Post by poohbear » Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:48 pm

Whatever you plant in a cage won't last 5 minutes the birds will see to that.
Image

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:50 pm

Typing this from my cell and I got cut off. How big is your cage? Vines can be very invasive and problematic. Let me know the size along with whether or not your cage will be indoors or out and your exact location (city or town) and I can make additional recommendations.

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Robbie » Sun Jul 17, 2011 10:18 am

Many thanks for all the info guys.
Foosa, The cage I have ordered is D45xW75xH95 cm.
It will be kept in a well ventilated room with plenty of fresh air lots of natural daylight (one side of the room is all windows). I live in a coastal town Called Porthcawl in south Wales. I live about 5 min walk from the beach. The prevailing winds come directly off the sea and surveys have shown there is not a problem with air contaminants. A lot of the trees in my area are also covered in lichen which is a good indicator of the cleanliness of the air. Hope this info helps :)

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:55 pm

Okay, no more chatting via cell phone -phew. We need a app for FF, LOL. Anyhow, I would suggest trying a cultivar of grapes or honeysuckle that are grown locally. You can contact your local agriculture extension office to confirm what will do best in your specific region. But, I would think these vines would be less invasive than English Ivy or Russian Vine. Russian Vine is commonly used in aviaries but I believe it to be categorized as an invasive species in your "neck of the woods" and the UK.

If you wanted to add some color you can easily grow Impatients as they will do well in low light conditions and you can easily root them out just but cutting them and placing them in water for a week or so. I have listed a list I came across on other options that you can review.

Nontoxic plants:

Abelia – Abelia spp.
Acacia (some species) – Acacia spp.
African Daisy – Arctotis stoechadifolia
African Violet – Saintpaulina spp.
Aluminum Plant – Pilea cadierei
Aloe – Aloe spp. (fresh only)
Aralia – Aralia spp.
Arbutus – Arbutus spp.
Areca, Butterfly Cane – Areca lutescens
Ash – Fraxinus spp.
Asparagus Fern – Asparagus densiflorus
Aspen – Populus spp.
Aspidistra – Aspidistra spp.
Baby’s Tears – Helxine soleirolli
Baby’s Breath – Gypsophila paniculata
Bachelor Buttons – Centaurea cyanus
Barberry – Berberis spp.
Beech – Fagus, Nothofagus
Begonia – Begonia spp.
Birch – Betula spp.
Bird’s Nest Fern – Asplenium nidus
Blood Leaf Plant – Iresine herbstii and related spp.
Boston Fern – Nephrolepsis bostoniensis
Bougainvillea – Bougainvillea spp.
Brake, Ribbon, Dish – Pteris cretica
Bromeliads – Anans comosus
California Holly – Heteromeles arbutifolia
Calamint – Calamintha spp.
Calendula (Pot Marigold) – Calendula officinalis
Camellia – Camellia spp.
Chamomile – Chamaemelum nobile
Chickweed – Cerastium vulgatum, Stellaria media
Chicory – Chichorium intybus
Cissus Kangaroo Vines – Cissus spp.
Claw Cactus – Schlumbergera truncata
Coffee Tree – Coffea arabica (coffee is toxic)
Coleus – Coleus blumei
Comfrey – Symphytum officinalis
Corn Plant – Dracaena fragrans
Cottonwood – Populus spp.
Crabapple – Malus spp. (fruit only)
Creeping Jenny – Lysimachia spp.
Croton (house variety) – Codiaeum variegatum
Dahlia – Dahlia spp.
Dandelion – Taraxacum officinalis
Date – Phoenix dactylifera
Daylily – Hemerocallis spp.
Dill – Anethum graveolen
Dogwood – Cornus spp.
Donkey Tail – Sedum morganianum
Dracaena – Dracaena spp.
Dragon Tree – Dracaena draco
Easter Cactus – Rhipsalidopsis spp.
Elderberry – Sambucus spp. (cooked ripe fruit only)
Elm – Ulmus spp.
European Fan – Chamaerops humilis
Fir – Abies spp.
Gold Dust Dracaena – Dracaena godseffiana
Echeveria – Echeveria spp.
Elephant Foot Tree – Beaucarnea recurvata
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus sp.
Eugenia – Eugenia spp.
Gardenia – Gardenia jasminoides
Garlic – Allium sativum
Gloxinia – Sinningia speciosa
Grape Ivy – Cissus rhombifolia
Grape Vine – Vitis spp.
Hens and Chicks – Echeveria and Sempervivum sp.
Hibiscus – Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and related species
Honeysuckle – Lonicera spp.
Hoya – Hoya spp.
Impatiens – Impatiens spp.
Indian Hawthorne – Rhaphiolepsis spp.
Jade Plant – Crassula ovata
Kalanchoe – Klanchoe blossfeldiana
Larch – Larix spp.
Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis
Lilac – Syringa vulgaris and related species
Lilly (Easter or Tiger) – Lilium spp.
Magnolia – Magnolia spp.
Marigold – Tagetes spp.
Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum spp.
Manzanita – Arctostapylos manzanita
Mayapple – Podophyllum peltatum (fruit only)
Monkey Plant – Ruellia spp.
Moses-in-the-Cradle – Rhoeo spathacea
Mother-In-Law’s-Tongue – Sansevieria trifasciata
Nandina – Nandina domestica
Nasturtium – Tropaeolum majus
Natal Plum – Carissa macrocarpa
Nerve Plant – Fittonia verschaffeltti
Norfolk Island Pine – Araucaria excelsa
Parsley – Petroselinum spp.
Passionflower – Passiflora caerulea
Peppermint – Mentha x piperita
Peperomia – Peperomia spp.
Petunia – Petunia spp.
Pony Tail Palm – Beaucarnea recurvata
Popular – Populus spp.
Prayer Plant – Maranta leuconeura
Purple Passion, Purple Velvet – Gynura aurantiaca
Pyracantha – Pyracantha spp.
Raphiolepsis – Raphiolepis spp.
Rose – Rosa spp.
Rubber Plant – Ficus elastica
Russian Olive – Elaeagnus augustifolia
Schefflera – Schefflera actinophylla
Sensitive Plant – Mimosa pudica
Spearmint – Mentha spicata
Spider Plant – Chlorophytum comosum
Spruce – Picea spp.
Squirrel’s Foot Fern – Davallia trichomanoides
Staghorn, Elk’s Horn – Platycerium bifurcatum
Star Jasmine – Trachelospermum jasminoides
String of Beads – Senecio rowleyanus
Swedish Ivy – Plectranthus australis
Sword Fern – Nephrolepis exaltata
Thistle – Cirsium spp.
Ti Plant – Cordyline terminalis
Violet – Viola spp.
Wandering Jew – Tradescantia fluminensis
Willow – Salix spp.
Zebra Plant – Aphelandra squarrosa

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Robbie
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Re: Planted cage

Post by Robbie » Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:59 pm

Many thanks my friend :)

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Re: Planted cage

Post by Foosa101 » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:05 pm

Also, if you are worried that your birds will eat the vegetation before it becomes established then I would plant and allow them to germinate and get a substantial root system prior to introducing the birds. If you want to sprout seed for them to eat afterward you can plant the seed in trays – I use plastic trays that are 1” deep from that I get from our local Chinese Restaurant LOL - and then rotate them every other day or as needed. This way they get a variety of freshly sprouted seedlings. Germination only takes two days with most of the seeded varieties that I mentioned before. I just leave them in the window sill in the kitchen.

When I get my new cage, I am thinking of making one or two fiberglass molds of the bottom tray that I can sprout seed in so I can rotate. Still trying to determine what I am going to use as the mold but that’s a work in progress.

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Re: Planted cage

Post by nixity » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:38 pm

Even if you allow it to germinate first and then put it in the cage after it's established, they'll still make relatively quick work of it. :)

I have never been able to keep live plants established, the birds destroy them..

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