How do you manage your aviaries when you go away?

09 Dec 2015, 11:24

Eek. Just to be very clear for any finch newbies happening upon this thread, finches must not go without food even for 24 hours, else they will start dying in droves. It's a case of setting them up with a large supply of seed, egg shell - the basics. Most species (not all!) can cope without 'luxuries' like live food for many days. They just will be a bit less happy!

For seed, in my case I have a very large seed hopper. I'd still want someone to check on them though, in case of unexpected weird happenings.

09 Dec 2015, 11:28

Denozo wrote:When everybody says they don't need to feed for a week does this include livefood? If so, how do you achieve this?

I have a vinegar fly bucket set up as well as moth catches....and multiple seed stations (bulk) so could probably go longer...

13 Dec 2015, 08:13

hi I have auto top up water, as well as installing large water feeders, I have seed hoppers which hold 20kg these are good for weeks at a time. Live food I use the auto fish feeder for mealies , however this is only good for a few days, I intend to build a massive one If and when I retire to allow me to go for a couple of weeks at a time. The seed hoppers are brilliant as in winter depending on my job I may not see my birds for days on end.

14 Dec 2015, 10:54

Auto watering that flushes the bowls twice a day, large seed hoppers/bowls. Multiple vinegar fly traps in 2 out of 4 avairys, earth floors where birds can forage.
LML

20 Dec 2015, 06:02

hi, I posted a description of the large seed hoppers in the diy section

20 Dec 2015, 08:17

I'm loving this thread. You are giving me the impetus for things that I've wanted to do anyway, whether away or not, to add more automation. I used to be quite economical but now I want to automate the bejesus out of as much as I can!

So...
- auto-flush to complement and backup my existing continual drip system
- extra seed hoppers (though I'll need a vertical/small footprint design)
- a better black light than I currently have (already ordered

)
- a better internal greens-growing setup, and...
- a wifi camera to inspect all of this from a distance

Yaay, projects! Tips on all of these things greatly appreciated.