Aussie Finch Forum

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

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.

2 pair of stars and 2 pair of zebs

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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