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Post by angelicvampyre on Apr 5, 2009 16:40:56 GMT 10
I have lost a few birds in the past few days so headed down to the vets and we think it is being caused by the fact that my avairy is getting wet and the seed is getting we and going off and the birds are getting sour crop or it could we something else. For the time being I set up the second avairy covered it and got it all ready for the guys, was pouring down with rain day so it needs more perches but they have enough to get them through for the time being.
My questions is that I have now decided that I am going to bite the bulet and get my new avairy. I will be either be closing it in on all sides but the front to stop the rain getting in or have a trap to drop down on side in the winter. But it's the base that I am worried about, I am thinking that I will put sleepers down and then across the centre like a bit + in a box. Then I was thinking of putting road base down then wire on top and stabled to the sleepers to stop the mice getting in. Then putting the avairy on the top and then putting down a layer on sand and shell grit, that way if water gets in then it will drain and not pool. Also means that I can clean the sand and shell grit mix off the top of the wire base when needed. Any other advice? Or options that people can think of?
I can concrete the way that I would like to due to planning permit from the council and I am not going to go down that route.
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Karen
Addicted Member
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Post by Karen on Apr 6, 2009 7:53:25 GMT 10
A common ailment during the wet weather is coccidicosis. Getting some poultry baycox from the vet will go a long way towards helping.
I've also had some budige enthusiasts tell me they spray the floor with the baycox when it rains to kill the gems. Another said she burns the floor weekly with a torch - think it's an oxy torch? I wouldn't try the last - I'd be likely to burn myself!
I tried many different floorings when I had my aviary and none worked perfectly. I really don't think there is a fool proof method. Concrete floors I think are the best but initially expensive and permits from council is a bummer.
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Post by angelicvampyre on Apr 6, 2009 13:19:23 GMT 10
Thanks for that, we have everyone on meds just in case it is more then just sour crop which as I don't med my birds very offen then the vet thinks it's not a bad idea. they are not showing any signs out coccidicosis but we decided to be careful, I just can't handle losing any more birds!
I am thinking about seeing what I can do about a slab maybe just dealing with the concil will be the way to go.
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Post by sypher on Apr 6, 2009 17:59:34 GMT 10
If you can AV, a slab will be the easiest to keep clean and disease free. All of my aviaries built from now on will be suspendeds.
Shaun
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Post by angelicvampyre on Apr 6, 2009 19:32:47 GMT 10
I just don't know if I can get a slab put in with the concil being as nasty as they are. I would like to have them suspended, I have two of them for the bigger birds but I don't really want to go suspended for Budgies and Love Birds
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Post by sypher on Apr 6, 2009 19:46:55 GMT 10
I know what you mean AV, I put my conventionals through council.
Shaun
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Post by avinet on Apr 6, 2009 21:10:47 GMT 10
I've used concrete pavers with some of my aviaries - almost as good as concrete but they can be regarded as temporary and not permanent like a concrete slab. And since they are laid on sand, with the usual small gap between them, drainage is pretty good, even in the torrential rain we can get up here - like 150mm in 12 hours last Thursday!
The only problem has been ants nesting under them but when a nest appears I slowly pour boiling water into the cracks and that seems to work.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by madaussie on Apr 6, 2009 21:23:53 GMT 10
I never have given any thought i hose mine out daily and sweep the seed and rubbish twice a week.
j
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Post by angelicvampyre on Apr 6, 2009 21:30:20 GMT 10
Thanks Mike I Will look into that
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Post by meandem on Apr 6, 2009 21:39:08 GMT 10
like 150mm in 12 hours last Thursday! Mike Are you trying to make me jealous?  Copeton is only at 11%. I would love 150mm of rain. I would settle for 100mm  |
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Post by norwichfinchman on Apr 7, 2009 7:44:22 GMT 10
I have concrete bases in my flights. At least 4" of hardcore, 1/2" x 1/2" wire, a layer of broken glass and finished off with 2-3" inches of concrete which is easy to keep clean. I buy binbags full of wood shavings at GBP 50p a bag. One bag does my three flights and the other bags I keep for spare. Very easy to sweep up and keep clean. My concrete base extend two feet outside the flights and birdroom. This allows me to inspect the boundary everyday. Never had a problem with vermin and if water was to get in the wood shavings soak it up which then gets clean out. My flights and covered with clear roof panels and enclosed on three sides with only one side open to the elements.
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Post by avinet on Apr 7, 2009 9:02:54 GMT 10
Some areas at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast got over 400mm in 12 hours! cheers, Mike |
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Post by meandem on Apr 8, 2009 9:20:55 GMT 10
If only they could channel it down here.  |
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Karen
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Post by Karen on Apr 8, 2009 23:10:18 GMT 10
In SEQld the combined 3 dams have finally reached 50% and on Sunday I get to hose out the aviaries for the first time in over a year! Got to work fast between 4-430pm |
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Post by meandem on Apr 9, 2009 8:44:32 GMT 10
We will never be on water restrictions whilst I am living here, I can use as much water as I like. I never do over use it, because I am always mindful of those poor people that can't have a hose running.
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Post by Laraine on Apr 11, 2009 20:08:05 GMT 10
I've got pavers on the floor of my aviaries. You can pick up seconds advertised in your local paper. They are fairly easy to hose out too. I think with sleepers they would be harder to clean.
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Smiley
Bronze Member
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Post by Smiley on Apr 12, 2009 23:05:27 GMT 10
Bet you loved that Karen.. You have to get a water tank for the birds...Then you dont have a problem.
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Post by Robyn on Apr 13, 2009 7:05:32 GMT 10
AV is it at all possible to lift the cage on legs and wire mesh the bottom. Turn it into suspended. You don't have to lift it much just as long as its off the ground. I had to do that with my aviaries. Concrete floors got to messy it the wet weather. All my aviaries have a full roof with a quarter of the sides also covered with iron. The aviary we turned into suspended was 3 mtrs L X 2 mtrs W X 1.8 mtrs H. I just have a wide board across the floor to walk on. So easy to clean and the birds are out of the wet. Its worked for me.
My 4 bay timber aviaries have a rat wall under ground with aviary bolted down, covered roof, back and quarter the sides and then from ground up to about 600 iron round the bottom then covered in 1/2" mesh. Course river sand for the floors. Its easily raked and replace with new sand when required. The only down side is i have all internal doors going to each cage.
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Post by angelicvampyre on Apr 13, 2009 14:14:29 GMT 10
I thought about doing suspended or raising it somehow but the one that I want I can't really do that on. I have been looking at pavers on ebay and think this is the best option. Also going to add some more weather protection and also how and where I feed the birds.
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Post by Robyn on Apr 14, 2009 8:20:09 GMT 10
Sounds like a plan AV. Seems to solve all your problems even with council. Hope you have no more losses.
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