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Post by marzipan on Feb 21, 2006 18:16:11 GMT
Hello all.
I've been lightly researching the construction of an aviary (still highly uneducated on this), and I have a question:
I read somewhere that one has to be careful about flying insects getting into the food and causing diseases. One suggestion was to use bug screen over the wire (so birds can't actually chew on the plasic screen material).
Is this necessary? I see that those of you with aviary photos here just have regular wire.
Also, what kind of wire are you using there? Is it galvanized? Is zinc poisoning a problem with galvanized wire?
What kind of building materials must be avoided?
thanks for your help Marz
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Post by Berserka on Feb 22, 2006 10:33:38 GMT
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Post by buuzbee on Feb 22, 2006 23:14:21 GMT
Hi, to be honest, i have never heard or had a problem with bugs. My husband made my aviary, and we washed the wire with a pressure washer, and with vinegar. im not sure what type of wire it is though. (what kind of bugs??? i remember pass' neice's budgie, i think, was stung by a wasp)
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Post by carmz on Feb 23, 2006 1:56:36 GMT
bugs in the food... the food shouldnt be in the containers long enough for bugs to breed in anyways...i change food and water daily . i have just a regular kit aviary that you buy from everywhere ... im not sure what the wire is but i was told to wash it down with vinegar and water before use. i know ants get in on the floor but they arnt a problem. even found a cockroach today... but it was half gone so i guess someone has chowed down on it....LOL
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Post by lin on Feb 23, 2006 2:03:01 GMT
I suppose fly screen would be great in a perfect world. But with most parrots, they would soon chew holes in it #cheesy#
Like Carmz said, food shouldn't be left long enough to attract bugs. In summer, I pop some in the aviary for an hour and then chuck it away. I have a few containers, and use a clean container each time. Water should be changed often, especially bath water, so that mossies don't breed in the water. Regularly check the floor - you will find worms and beetles in the sand and spilt seed, but the birds love to eat them, so no problems. Poisonous spiders like to nest in corners, you need to keep an eye on them.
Really, the only way to ensure they are safe from insects is to have them inside.
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Post by marzipan on Feb 24, 2006 17:25:54 GMT
I guess the concern was that small flying insects like gnats would get to the food and possibly contaminate it with some disease. there was a specific disease that this article was talking about, but now I can find the link. Sounds like this is an overkill point that isn't really a concern for most aviaries.
Thanks for that link, Karen... that's an awesome website for the photos alone. Looks like I'm gonna be building an aviary pretty soon!
Marz
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