I don't know about you but I find that when I put branches into the aviaries they dry out pretty quickly, sometimes within days.

 

Yesterday I had a brain flit :bump:

 

I had a bucket which came with a lid and asked my hubby to drill a hole in the lid so I could place the branch into the bucket. Previously I had discarded the idea because without the lid the budgies might have been attracted to the water and fallen into the bucket and drowned

 

Here's what it looks like:

 

 

just make sureit doesn't fall over onto your freshly layed lime... :bump:

 

Just looking at the photo's, where the whole is, is the plastic there sharp? you might want to check that, don't want any inquiring birds getting hurt... if it isn't sharp great idea.

just make sureit doesn't fall over onto your freshly layed lime...

 

Just looking at the photo's, where the whole is, is the plastic there sharp? you might want to check that, don't want any inquiring birds getting hurt... if it isn't sharp great idea.

 

It's a teensy bit ragged but not sharp! Good call though, I shall monitor closely. :bump:

If you made a little sleeve out of some cuff material then you could slip it over the branch and then pull it down over the lip of that spot where the hole is, that would stop any budgies from trying to get into the bucket and also hide the sharp parts. I've seen those buckets, might do it myself :bump:

If you made a little sleeve out of some cuff material then you could slip it over the branch and then pull it down over the lip of that spot where the hole is, that would stop any budgies from trying to get into the bucket and also hide the sharp parts. I've seen those buckets, might do it myself

 

Good idea! I shall give it a go. :bump:

If you made a little sleeve out of some cuff material then you could slip it over the branch and then pull it down over the lip of that spot where the hole is, that would stop any budgies from trying to get into the bucket and also hide the sharp parts. I've seen those buckets, might do it myself

 

Good idea! I shall give it a go. :bump:

 

And one sacrificial sock later:

 

 

Problem solvered!

Well done! great idea!

Perfect :bump:

looks great renee... now was that cotton, wool or a polyester sock? just kidding!

Just an obvious tip:

 

Check your bucket regularly!

 

I was amazed that the branch we cut down 2 days ago has drunk 1/2 bucket of water!!!

 

Also, if you have access to Seasol (liquid sea weed fertilizer), it doesn't hurt to add a splash.

brilliant idea!!! I will give it a go too

Cool:party0011:

That is a great idea, i have pvc pipes with caps on the top and bottom in my aviary but they do not hold much water, i going to swap them to buckets now.

Another couple of obvious tips:

 

1. Don't buy pails with tight fitting lids, you want to be able to top up with water in the aviary with minimum fuss - if the lid is stuck on tight, it's a real hassle!

 

2. DO tie your branches to either a perch or the aviary mesh, you don't want the branch falling over and the weight of it spilling all the water everywhere.

 

Some examples:

 

I used an elastic tie for this one

 

I used the wire attachment from a drinker for this one

 

A piece of twine to the perch for this one

Edited October 24, 200816 yr by renee

You have chosen a lovely young fresh branch too Renee...great choice.

Always another thought, sloppy sand Then if any birds did ever manage to get into there they wouldn't drown and the branch would still have water

 

Looks excellent, I need to give my birds fresh branches again, gave some a few weeks back, but they've stripped them... Gotta wait for the neighbours bottle brush to grow back from my "prunings"

Always another thought, sloppy sand Then if any birds did ever manage to get into there they wouldn't drown and the branch would still have water

 

The thing about keeping the lid on is that it minimizes evaporation so the branch stays fresher longer.