Hey! We are nearly finished building our new aviary and were thinking about keeping quails. But we read that budgies and dirt floors don't mix. Unfortunately quails need a dirt floor. We were wondering if it was true that we can't have a dirt floor for budgies. Does any one else have dirt floors for budgies?

 

If the floor and the budgies can't go together, we were thinking of either putting in coarse gravel or pinebark on top, is there anything wrong with this?

 

Any help would be really appreciated!

Thanks,

L&L

 

We have a dirt floor in our Aviary, also quails, and we have never had a problem. Although we relocate the aviary every 6-9 months, on grass and when that is bare again we move it back for a bit more grass. But I have to say because of the drought, they have not had a grass floor for about 12 months. they run in it, even have a bird bath in the dirt with the quails. Oh we also scatter lucerne or hay on the floor as well

Cindy.

we are making another aviary i heared that sand was okay but i would like to know if budgies dig?and is it okay to out the sand just on the grass or do we need to get some lining for it?

 

 

thanks

 

 

shell

Shell, I like a cement floor, because then it can be thoroughly cleaned, very important, especially if you have had a disease go through your flock. I then lay sand on top of the cement. I don't know if they actually dig, but they do have a sort through the sand. I suppose they are picking up the odd insect, and, where dropped seeds have sprouted, they enjoy munching on the greens growing. Every so often I remove all the sand and dispose, I hose out the floor, let dry and then put fresh sand down.

OOhh Lin thank you

 

I'm reading all I can becuase i really want to focus on getting my avary built in the new year, and I have alway wanted cerment floors, since I know it's easy to clean and keep disease out. But all I could hear about was sand or dirt I thought cerment would be best to keep it neater and keep weeds taking over (i can get weed the hight of me in the back yard >_< ) Now I know I can add sand to the top of that to might it look more nature. Thankies.

Your welcome! Trust me, in the aviary no weeds will grow very high at all - budgies declare war on any and all green things

......and if you get some king qual they will love any weeds that grow. Oh By The Way if you are gong to breed the little ones. (Qual) make sure the bottom has fly screen around it. the Little chicks can run through chicken wire.

well i'm not using chicken wire I'm be using the good bird squre wire, the smallest I can get.

 

Lin- you know i didn't even think of the budgies that would keep it down (Laughing out loud), well at lest I know i wouldn't have to worry too much about around the cage too, mine thing the things on the out side must bet he best bits. I still think cerment is for the best, you can't disinfect ground soil.

Nerwen just remember to give the wire a scrubbing of vinagure to get rid of any heavey metals.

Yep Yep Yep

This is exciting. With all this talk of new aviaries, it has me back going again.

I know how you feel. I'm hassling my son to finish the next aviary for me!

I know how you feel. I'm hassling my son to finish the next aviary for me!

 

You'll have to post some pics of the aviaries Lin.

I will. I've posted the 2 out the back, and I still have to post the 2 out the front, and then this one when it's finished. Just one more to be built after that, until I can find somewhere else to build them

I will. I've posted the 2 out the back, and I still have to post the 2 out the front, and then this one when it's finished. Just one more to be built after that, until I can find somewhere else to build them

 

Where did you post them ...i'll have to look?

Mmm, I thought I had, but can't find it. So, here they are

 

This is the finch aviary, and it has taken about 3 years to grow the grape vine over it, keeps them cool in summer, but the winter sun can still get in

 

 

This is the one my son just finished a few months ago. It has the canaries in. The one he is going to build is going next to it. It is under a pergola, so again it will be cooler in summer

ooops yes I remember them they are great. I think I asked when you were going to put the birds in. :hap:

 

I wish I have aviaries that big. They are great Lin.

Well, both of them are homemade aviaries, I only have one 'real' aviary, that I bought when I first had birds, about 20 years ago now. It's moved from house to house with me, but I think it's too small (3 foot x 6 foot)

I first had birds, about 20 years ago now.

 

Wow Lin that would make you about my age. 21

Actually Dazzle, my youngest felt I had to turn 22 this year, so, I agreed

:(Laughing out loud):

 

Yes I found taht thread with your averies

I think I'm mad I took some pictures of where I want the cage to go and photoshoped some black squares to get the feel of what they would look like

Thats a good idea. Nerwen you have me out marking the new concrete pad for the new side shed. Just to see how big it will be.

Glad to hear we are all mad.

The only problem is I have to wait to get enough money. The drawings and Designs are on the "Drawing Board" and look good. Oh well everything comes to thoughs that wait.

I hate waiting

Well thats kind of what we do most of.

 

What for the birds to breed, wait till the eggs are laid, wait till the eggs hatch, wait till the chicks fledge.....

 

Oh well it's only one more thing to eait for....