hemcore as a cage substraight

32birds · 23 Dec 2010, 05:58

Hi I am looking to find out wether anyone has used hemcore with Citronella oil in with their gouldian finchs. The Citronella oil is an excelent way of insect and mite repellent but i am not sure how it would affect my birds. has anyone used it and could you tell me the results thank you.

23 Dec 2010, 08:23

Interesting concept, my main concern would be if the birds ate any of the oil while searching the hemcore for seed. Also if the hemcore you are referring to is hemp stems, Im not sure how well the stems for animal bedding are processed If there are any seed on there I have heard it can be very fattening for birds and can also stimulate the hormones, driving them into breeding mode.
I wouldnt have a problem with the hemcore on its own, but personally I would leave the oil out. Maybe a separate container of the oil in a place the birds have no access to would be the best of both worlds, and I definitely not be burning the oil to release any smells near the birds.
Would be interested to hear more though.

23 Dec 2010, 21:42

Sorry no idea. But welcome to the Forum.
LML

23 Dec 2010, 21:58

32birds wrote:hemcore with Citronella oil

Are you using it as mite protection in nest boxes or as a general insect protection for the cage either way there are tried and tested insecticides out there without the risk. I really wet my boxes down with Copex and let them dry and air out a few days before putting in cages.

32birds · 24 Dec 2010, 01:01

Hi guys, thanks for welcoming me and for the interest in my problem,the hemcore comes already treated with the oil, it is not oily to the touch, it is the smell that repels flies, mosquitoes and other insects, i was going to use it as a ground cover to catch the birds poops.

24 Dec 2010, 07:28

I did a bit or reading about the hemcore, it seems like a good all round bedding for horses and some smaller animals.
The impregnated oil is still a worry for me with finches. Some finches fly around with sticks and straws in their beaks when getting into breeding mode and building the nest. They are such little things and the smell of the oil, while insignificant to us might overwhelm their lungs.
If you want to try some natural fibre on the floor which could be recycled, how about lucerne? It could be a bit more expensive as its a feed rather than a waste product, but no possible problem due to the oil content and they could forage through it with no ill effect and as its for finches it would last quite a long time before needing to be replaced.
I haven't suggested straw as Im sure I read somewhere that there could be an issue with mould.
Im a member of an email based group interested in using essential oils in animal husbandry so I will try them and see what they say.

Edited to include......just mooching again, noted that lots of people with chickens use it, however one person said one of their chickens did die after using the oiled hemp.
Also found there is a product in the UK called Abiose which is a hemp based product but without the oil.

24 Dec 2010, 17:15

Not a good idea apparently, seems to be safety issues, as I thought there might be.

17 Mar 2015, 17:15

Diane do you have any better option in mind?

17 Mar 2015, 19:14

mastika wrote:Diane do you have any better option in mind?

Sorry to jump in here,if its mites etc that you are worried about use grass hay.It will double as a feed source (seeds) and nesting material for your birds.It would be easily rolled up and replaced with fresh grass hay.
I take it that your aviary is fully roofed,if not do put it where it can get wet as it will go mouldy.Still,i would spay the aviary floor with coopex and let it dry before putting down a floor covering like that. Craig