Scared?? Maybe

11 Oct 2010, 18:08

Had a tonne of river pebbles dropped of today for aviary ..is it best to rinse it first?

11 Oct 2010, 19:53

Sorry just finished work,I would wash them thoroughly, I see your from the golden west, with the weather being so dry and recently a spate of rain, the river beds would have had a large amount of silt and collected who knows what. Bigger birds should be all right but i would be careful with finches.

11 Oct 2010, 20:08

2 pair of stars and 2 pair of zebs

11 Oct 2010, 20:15

I would give them some coccivet in their water, on the weekend, get some veta farm probiotic and put in the water. My suggestion is to invest in some Newcastle / sydney sand, depending on size of aviary if about 2.5m x 2m about five bags, try and remvoe the river sand and put in the new sand or through it over the tiop. Have you got a roof on aviary or is rain coming from the sides?

11 Oct 2010, 20:30

Got a roof and sides in colorbond which is 3.1m x 1.6 and open flight area 3.1 m x 0 .8m. I will try and get some this week thanx for the heads up

11 Oct 2010, 20:38

Not sure how long you've been going with the finches but when i first started over twenty years ago unfortunately had to learn the hard way, i live in sydney so i understand your climate, if you ever need advice or anything just send a message. Not a guru on all matters but have some knowledge. I know it was brought up before on the forum people had mixed views , I suggest you buy some raspberry cordial ( dont buy nor frills, get cottees or golden circle), put about 10mls in a bout 1 litre of water,do for a week a month an old timer told me years ago I swear by it, birds very healthy and look good.

Best of luck.

11 Oct 2010, 20:51

Wow thanx for the tip what does red cordial meant to do?? It just sends my kids nuts haha

11 Oct 2010, 20:57

Ive been doing the raspberry cordial since I posted on here a few weeks ago , got the tip from a very knowledgable finchie ...dont need much just enough to colour the water , dont know if its a coincidence but my once very poor scarlet girl has picked up since on it . poops are firmer and she is finally letting the boy feed her which means shes ready to breed .
Certainly isnt hurting the birds at all.

12 Oct 2010, 10:09

its meant to kill bacteria. A bit like berries have high content of antioxident. The other ingredient I use in the water once a month 10mls to 1 litre is apple cider vinegar. Very rarely have i used medication on my birds (last resort), dont wont too mock myself but has been many years since i lost a bird to a disease. The other thing shaun i recommend is when you see the finches building nests, get some cod liver and mix in with the seed only need a very small amount, stops the hens getting egg bound.

13 Oct 2010, 21:33

Trying the cordial in the water tonight will be interested to see the birds reaction!!