Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
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HeyItsRaymond
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Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

Post by HeyItsRaymond » Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:01 pm

I just built an indoor aviary and wanted to know if sand it safe for Finches as a substrate.

I want something that is easy to scoop clean using a cat little scoop so I don't have to constantly change the entire substrate.


~ 3 Zebra Finches (all males)
~ 1 Shaft-tail Finch (male)
~ 2 Society Finches (Male/Female Pair)
~ 2 Indian Spice Finches (all males)
~ 4 Bronze Winged Mannikin (gender unknown)

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Atbird
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Re: Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

Post by Atbird » Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:24 pm

The thing about sand is that the bird's fluttering will spread the sand everywhere.
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HeyItsRaymond
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Re: Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

Post by HeyItsRaymond » Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:27 pm

Atbird wrote: The thing about sand is that the bird's fluttering will spread the sand everywhere.
True, but I already vacuum up a huge mess daily. And I plan on adding 6" of plexiglass to the bottom of the aviary to contain some of he seed, hay, etc...


~ 3 Zebra Finches (all males)
~ 1 Shaft-tail Finch (male)
~ 2 Society Finches (Male/Female Pair)
~ 2 Indian Spice Finches (all males)
~ 4 Bronze Winged Mannikin (gender unknown)

isobea
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Re: Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

Post by isobea » Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:00 pm

I have used sand in an indoor aviary before and for the last 25 years in my outdoor aviary - wouldn't have anything else. Like you said: easy to clean and replace. The only thing I find necessary to do is to have the bird bath elevated at least 1 foot off the floor. Otherwise you end up with lots of sand in the bathwater.
Iso

debbie276
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Re: Using Sand for the bottom of an indoor aviary.

Post by debbie276 » Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:05 pm

I've used sand for years and loved it! Used a reptile littet scoop to clean all the mess and only had to do a major sands change about once a month or more.
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
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SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
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SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
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GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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