I use wood shavings in my Flights now, have for a few years. Gets changed about every 6 weeks. Previously i used Sand like Kaz mentioned, but had some disease problems from bacteria in sand. Henry George gave a lecture at the Caloundra Nationals on exactly same thing, any earthen product is an excellent source of bad bacteria.

I use wood shavings in my Flights now, have for a few years. Gets changed about every 6 weeks. Previously i used Sand like Kaz mentioned, but had some disease problems from bacteria in sand. Henry George gave a lecture at the Caloundra Nationals on exactly same thing, any earthen product is an excellent source of bad bacteria.

 

Yes he had the sand examined and it was found to have bacteria. He through the whole lot out. He now has shavings in the breeding cabinets and only tiles in the flights.

Curious....has tests been done on the wood shavings too for bacteria ?

Good question... The answer would be no but can wood shaving carry bacteria?

 

The sand carries dead animals (sea creatures, shells and such) when it becomes wet the bacteria can occur. This was the touble with Henry's.

I have the sterilised white sand used for childrens playgrounds and sandpits in my flights and have had no issues. But it doesnt get wet either.

Now that's a good idea.

shavings have problems in different ways, it effects ground dweller's the most

2 months back, i had a problem with my quails, they all died of respiratory problem's and such, then i found out that shavings contain this fungal bacteria infection that makes bird's very ill, eventually it was too late before i could save the quail.

turned out the shaving fumes effected the breathing problems and killed the quail.

Edited June 20, 200915 yr by mattdog2

Use kitty litter.

Use kitty litter.

I know a few show breeders who use kitty litter in the flights :emoticon112:

I know it is not birds, but in the Rat and Mouse club we do not recommend shavings for cages or nesting (or show tanks) because they contain phenols that are really strong - especially for new born sensitive respiratory systems. In rats it can often cause Mycoplasma Pulmosis to develop early, and secondary infections are then given a chance to take hold.

 

We use recycled paper cat litter.

I just finished reading through this very long thread and WOW! That is quite an amazing set-up!! I'm hoping to build my aviary this spring with my 1 year old son's help although he's now involved with his first "serious" girlfriend so I might be building it alone!

 

Daz...how wide are each of your three flights?

 

And, speaking as a "pet type budgie only in cages in the house" sort of budgie enthusiast I noticed that the larger aviaries like yours often don't have toys or any other entertainment for the birds...do they just keep each other entertained? Also, an absence of real tree branches and only same sized dowling perches. I have always read about the importance of varied perches for the well being of little bird feet....is this a fallacy?

 

I absolutely LOVE your set up...I could only dream of something so awesome!

 

Thanks for sharing your journey through building it.

I noticed that the larger aviaries like yours often don't have toys or any other entertainment for the birds...do they just keep each other entertained?

 

 

Some of us provide "toys" not always the pet budgie cage type toys but other similar things to amuse the birds.

I notice some show breeders over here werent using toys so I have made swings and such and given to them. I did notice they were in use when I visited too

I notice some show breeders over here werent using toys so I have made swings and such and given to them. I did notice they were in use when I visited too

 

That's so sweet of you KAZ

I do add Tree Branches from time to time

 

 

 

 

 

 

What other things would you change now that you've had a couple of years to think about it Daz? Any plans for building larger... I remember you had problems with the council... do they still come around for checks?

I would have liked to have gone to at least 6 metes by 3meters.. this one was 4.5m x 3m. That is on this block of land.

 

I would have done the electrical different...I would have put in a PLC (ccomputer) to control the lighting and fan.

 

But except for that, not much. The cages will do for a few more years but I have a new plan when they wear out.

 

The layout suits me, the birds and my life style.

Hi Daz, what brand/type of paint do you use to paint the breeding cabinets of yours? I like the look of them

Cheers

lozza

lozza - i think you will find the breeding cabinets are made from melamine coated board

Hi Daz, what brand/type of paint do you use to paint the breeding cabinets of yours? I like the look of them

Cheers

lozza

 

Lozza the breeding cabinets are Melamine so are not painted.

The walls are white plastic coated masonite. So there are no painting in the shed.

any think new daz any new updates ??

 

 

well done daz looking great keep up the good work

 

 

well done daz looking great keep up the good work

 

 

 

 

Thanks Nic

Nice to see you here Daz, I was wondering where you were.

Nice to see you here Daz, I was wondering where you were.

 

 

Thanks Splat.

I had some trouble with a couple of breeders. Seems the Cattle Property was more inportant.

 

I basically took a year off.

 

But now i'm back

It is really good that you are back Daz because I have really missed you.

So if you had the year off does that mean you haven't bred many birds then.