Aussie Finch Forum

Ok I'm not having a go at anyone but was reading the post about shanny and under fed birds. Now just wanted to state what I have done when leaving my birds for up to a week by themselves.

I have extra seed hoppers full. Large waterers with chlorhexadine solution in the water to stop it going off and that's about it. I have never had a loss whilst on holidays. I agree if longer then a week then you would need someone to help. Well I'm in no way having a go just hoping it helps anyone worried and it's what works for me.

Also deb I see your point and I think you have more birds then me

Also I leave my aviaries completely covered from winds a bad weather. I'm only a novice but I hope it helps anyone.

And as for green food I feed my birds heaps plus sprouted seed but a week with out it won't hurt them. Haven't scoured a bird yet either luckily. Ahwell there's my rant

What we have made for a Chooks and I assume we will make for the aviary aswell, is much the same as what I've seen Deb having in her aviary, a pipe that I can fill with seed, which turns into a trough, and you can probably put at least a week of food into that!

My main problem will be a live food dispenser, for the Button-Quails...

Yea a big live food dispenser would be very cool!

Benson I totally agree that birds can be left if extra measures are taken to ensure they dont go without food and water .

I choose to not leave my birds for a few reasons , one of them being that I live in Dubbo which is a very opportunistic town , if you know what I mean .
I hand rear which ties me down a bit too.

Good topic and I hope it helps people going away on short trips .

Another tip for going away is to leave one or two of those seed stick things to keep them occupied and out of the food dish a bit .

Even the best automated systems need to be checked daily. When I was a kid we had the assistance of a reliable and obliging (retired) neighbour to do the animal duties and these were reciprocated if he ever went away (he kept chickens & racing pidgeons but we had a somewhat larger menagerie). My uncle (Neville Kitney) kept birds for many years in Wagga and relied on reciprocal help from club members especially retirees before he himself retired. Without these guys there'd be a lot less less finches.

What I do now is rely on employed domestic helpers for periods of 11-12 week straight but that's going to come to an end when I move back to Brisbane in December after 8 years in the Philippines as I don't think I'll get anyone in Australia to do the birds and more for $30/week!

Yep i see your point a totally agree. And ya know me deb in no shape or form would i be having a crack at you Just adding some maybe usefull info..(dunno how helpful i am).

By they way deb those new lorries of yours a bloody nice birds!

Ben

Thanks Benson , not looking forward to releasing them into an aviary , might have to camp in with them Its been less than a week and they are taking sultanas through the bars from my hand .

Very impressed with this pair , will be even more impressed when I wean them off the dry food the breeder supplied , it has custard powder in it which makes for custard poos .

Don't worry I know you wouldn't be having a go at me , is all good there

Anyhoo Im hijacking again ...

Another thought for people going away is those house / pet sitting services . I was quoted $25 for a quick visit / feed fish and 2 indoor birds ...wasn't game to ask about the aviaries . My point is for a small hobby bird keeper it might give peace of mind at least .