Rats/mice in aviary (attacking?)

[anzac]

So here's me thinking that the moths were a problem in the aviaries (and they still are) and now I have either rats or mice in the turks's aviary They are plowing through all their seed, especially the sunflower seeds. My concern is that Tilly has 3 hatchlings in the nest, will they attack them? I assume since the parrots can bite them, they would defend their young or would the parrots just be too scared off them?

[meandem]

So did you get some moth balls? You really must have a plague of them over there. Just keep ''em, we don't want them over here....lol.

OMG The last thing you want in your aviaries is a rodent! Are the nests situated where a rodent can't jump or launch or even get to the nest. If they can - they will - and they will KILL your babies, parents or not.

You really need to find where they are getting and in and do something about it very quikly.

I live in a very bushy place and I have experienced first hand what they can do to your birds - and believe me, it is something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy.

Hope I haven't replied too late

[anzac]

Hiya
Yes I know the devastation as well Rats got into my canary aviary and took some of my canaries, some reason targeted my best breeding females. I still wonder to this day the terror they must have experienced being taken and killed that way We then dug the aviary well into the ground and paved around it and they haven't been back in *touch wood*.
In the turks aviary I suspect mice, hopefully it's mice and not rats. Their aviary is dug into the ground too and paved around (we learnt that lesson!) I think they are coming in through the small holes where the roof joins the walls. Going on the theory that mice don't like chewing through alfoil, I have plugged the holes with wads of alfoil. So far so good is holding until we can get to the hardware shop to get the bendy wire that we can roll into tubes an insert. Here's a pic of last year's fledglings and you just see the holes right up the top of the frame

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[meandem]

Yes I can see where you are referring to. Rodents can be a problem, that is for sure. I have heared of the alfoil thing, but never tried it. Let me know how it goes. We have a big carpet snake that doesn't live too far away from us, and I think he/she keeps my little rodent friends at bay

[anzac]

Just a quick update, the alfoil worked No more mice eating the seed, nice cheap trick to remember. Now to cure the moths

[meandem]

Sounds like you are on the right track now. Glad to hear the foil worked. I have heard it works well. And now you're tell me, I am convinced Shame the moths aren't convinced though :/

[anzac]

Yeah nice easy trick and cheap too ;D The moths have slowed down a bit but still annoys me each year. Must be a WA problem

[anzac]

Well bugger me I found the culprit eating all the sunflower seed, It's my girl Tilly I actually caught her yesterday climbing into the feeder, crawling through the rather small hole at the top. She then eats all the sunflower seed on the top and then crawls out again. I assume cos she is feeding her bubs that she is after the more fatty sunflower seeds. I don't whether to be proud of her or what for being so devious