Floor type

[Dutchlindsay]

I will be building 2 walk in aviaries and a row of 8 breeding flights and I cant decide on the floor type.
I really like a dirt floor (with rat walls and 6.5 X 6.5 mesh underneath). I love the natural feel of it. Several people have advised me however to go with a concrete slab and put some piles of soil on there which will accommodate quite decent size plants. They say this much to prfer in regards to cleanness and avoidance of diseases.
Anyone any suggestions? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

[finchbreeder]

I also prefer dirt floors. With 650mm or deeper concrete foundations dug in, and same height of sheer tin on the sides above ground. And door gaps of 6mm or less. This is snake and rodent proofing. And one day is how all my avaries will be built. But you can start right.
LML

[elferoz777]

I am a fan of concrete all the way.

Looking at the rain we have head here recently I can only imagine how sludgy my aviary floors would have been had I left dirt instead of concrete. Now within 3 hours the floors will be completely dry and I can just sweep up the crap.

Each to their own I guess but I just like the cleanliness of concrete.

It also depends what you are planning to keep.

[Dutchlindsay]

I am a fan of concrete all the way.

Looking at the rain we have head here recently I can only imagine how sludgy my aviary floors would have been had I left dirt instead of concrete. Now within 3 hours the floors will be completely dry and I can just sweep up the crap.

Each to their own I guess but I just like the cleanliness of concrete.

It also depends what you are planning to keep.

Thanks very much for your reply elferoz777.

2 additional questions if I may. Is your concrete slab horizontal or slightly sloping so the water can drain easily?
And also, can you please elaborate on your remark
It also depends what you are planning to keep
I know that with eg grass parrots who like to spend some time on the ground, worms can be an issue with a dirt floor cause like you state, it can be quite wet for a while.
Is this what you are thinking of? I don't know much about finches yet but if I am not mistaken they don't spend a lot of time on the floor

[finchbreeder]

Most finches spend a part of the day on the floor foraging, as this is natural to them. And one of the reasons I like earth floors. If you have concrete floors, make sure they are well drained. Heavy rain and poor drainage, can lead to drownings, as a number of people I know of have found out the hard way. Am now experimenting with 1 in 4 of my avairys being concrete instead of earth. But so far not convinced, to convert. All personal preference.
LML

[Craig52]

I too have concrete floors but they have 50-100mm of fine shellgrit on them which drains water away really quick as the concrete slopes to the front where i have drilled a series of 6mm holes for drainage but all my aviaries are fully roofed.
The real and only reason they are concrete is to stop mice/rats from entering through an earthen floor and desimateing? my birds at night as they are quite rare expensive birds. Craig

[Dutchlindsay]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. The main reason for me indeed to tend to go with concrete is keeping out mice and rats.
I realise good drainage is essential, thanks for the tips.

Any thoughts on thickness of concrete? I figure about 100mm

[Craig52]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. The main reason for me indeed to tend to go with concrete is keeping out mice and rats.
I realise good drainage is essential, thanks for the tips.

Any thoughts on thickness of concrete? I figure about 100mm

Perfect but remember to slope it and drill drainage holes Craig

[Dutchlindsay]

Thanks Craig. I am even thinking of putting proper drainage in and connect it to storm water since we are building new house on the block at the same time

[elferoz777]

[/quote]

Thanks very much for your reply elferoz777.

2 additional questions if I may. Is your concrete slab horizontal or slightly sloping so the water can drain easily?
And also, can you please elaborate on your remark
It also depends what you are planning to keep
I know that with eg grass parrots who like to spend some time on the ground, worms can be an issue with a dirt floor cause like you state, it can be quite wet for a while.
Is this what you are thinking of? I don't know much about finches yet but if I am not mistaken they don't spend a lot of time on the floor[/quote]

I do have a slight decline so I can drain the water. My concern was the amount of water that sits on the floor.

I keep diamonds and ruddies and both like the floor. the problem I was worried about was that in where I live, rain is usually followed by warmth which is the perfect condition for bacteria (moisture and heat). I do not medicate my birds at all expect may be a twice a year moxibaycoxtail and worming. My losses to date (non weaver related) are 2, and those two were young gouldians that drowned in the water dish.

Dirt floors pave the way for rodent infestation unless you do a heap of ground work before hand e.g put wire under the aviaries then soil or other methods. My back yard is still a sludge pit so I am thankful my new aviaries (finished today) have cement floors.

Cleaning can be done with a deck brush and every month a hose and scrub can do wonders.


I can see how a dirt floor is appealing and well planted aviaries look stunning, the concern I had was the view isnt worth the rat infestation and I have heard of so many aviaries being eaten empty over the course of 24 hrs.

regarding finches and floor time...they only need to eat some mouldy or contaminated seed and they will get sick which can happen in seconds. I dont want to push you away from a well planted avairy as that was what I wanted, I just thought of the prize vs the price and stuck to concrete.

For thickness you would do well with 100mm. I recently put down 50mm for my new ones but the cement in supported by a timber frame and cracker dust.