Good idea?

[laurab]

Not sure if it was a good idea or not, but Roger and I decided to cover the floor of our aviaries with a thick carpet of hay. As our floors are concrete we hope this will cut down on the chill in the flights. We realise this may bring other problems by way of mice, but with the 'big chill' on the way we felt this was the best move.

[Waxbillman]

hello Laura,

its a good idea if you want a load of nests everywhere :razz:

Matthew

[laurab]

I figured that if they are busy nest building it will help to keep them warm....I assume you are referring to the Weavers and not the mice!

[Waxbillman]

hello Laura

as long as the hens are not egg producing it should be fine. have they got no heat?

Matthew

[laurab]

No heat at all, just bubble wrapped with polythene over the top of the wrap.

I do have oil filled rads should the weather be dire.

[chris]

i've used hay in cages housing CPQ in the past with no problems whatsoever. infact i don't know why i stopped doing it! it kept the cages fresh

Chris;)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

Anything along those lines will help, some people use carpet to line the floor in their Birdrooms, not because they are posh,:lol: but to keep the chill out of the Birdroom from a concrete floor, apparently this is very effective, so yours and Rogers idea is a very good one!;)

Regarding the threat of Mice, you could always set traps for them under the hay, you can use back breakers in boxes or cages that prevent the Birds being injured.

Or for the benefit of the Lentil, Quorn and Tofu eating brigade, there is an alternative to the back breaking, head crunching Little Nipper Mouse Traps. You can use livetraps, and when you have caught them you can take the Mice out to the lovely green fields and set them free to enjoy a new life, until they are eaten by a Kestrel, Barn Owl, Weasel, Stoat or even one of the Mink that you soap dodgers have recklessly released to wreak havock with our Native Wildlife.:roll:

Paul.:D

[bigal47]

Hi one and all

Well it seems that your winter is on the way, cold floors are the main problem and cold walls. With cold walls if you use loose cages put a sheet of styrofoam the construction type has a firmer surface behind the cages making sure that birds that chew can not get to it. For floors the same but cover with rug or carpet but not plastic as this will draw damp through the cement and that will freeze and cause more cold. The ceiling use styrofoam tiles and paint, the doors use a blanket to stop the drafts and windows double glaze with a plastic film. But remember if using an oil flame heater fumes, they need ventalation to breath and remove fumes. Feeding oats or groats help to build fat for the birds
Allan

[laurab]

It works! It really did feel much warmer in the flights this morning :D

[bigal47]

Hi one and all.

Cold in the avairy then, Most of the times the birds will cope but we are not usually as lucky, It gets cold where we are normaly this time of the year and the problem is, hot or cold we have to spend time with the birds. To do the daily chores you need to keep warm or you will rush things and miss something usually a drinker so dress right before going out to the avairy. A good pair of socks before you put on those shoes and a pair of thermos ( no kenny mine arnt red and one piece with a flap) or a jogging suit before you put on a sweater and last a knitted hat ( yes kenny you can wear your night cap) the main place for heat loss is your head and your feet, hands do get cold but to wear gloves are imposible to work but fingerless gloves can work for some.
Also Kenny knitting small scarfs for the birds can be done but use small needles.
Allan

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Allan,

Great tip on feeding Groats to build up some fat reserves on the Birds, even my small Finches love eating Groats.;)

Can you please post a knitting pattern for Ken and myself for these Bird scarves.:lol:

Paul.:D

[laurab]

I agree, a great tip Allan, I had clean forgot I had groats, so they all had a treat this morning ;)

[kenny]

hi laura/paul /allan

i like to give mine a few groats,and a few soaked ones go down well with the first year youngsters or as the canary fanciers say ,the unflighted birds........paul my wife has a knitting machine and she has made coats for our westie so i will ask her if she can scale it down a bit to fit all the birds:-o ..........allan i bet you look fantastic first thing in the morning with your long johns and your hat on a bit like wee willie winkie:lol: :lol:

ken

[bigal47]

Hi one and all

Hi kenny

I have no need of oats for me I seem to have a built in heating system ,8) if I say I look a lot like grissley adams from the tv a few years ago excepy my hair is longer. More power to them.

We are looking up the knitting pattern for you will post when found.

Allan

[kenny]

hi allan

cant wait mate ,can you send us a grizzly adams photo aswell

ken

[laurab]

My weavers are certainly putting the hay to good use, they are creating some lovely nests in the conifer bushes Roger bought a couple of months ago. It would be great if they do it again next year as the nests are accessible to me ;)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Allan 'Grizzly' Adams, Ken and Laura,

Allan,

I'd love to see a photo of yourself, I went to see one of the films at the cinema when I was a kid, (only last week:lol: ). I'm looking forward to the knitting pattern for the Birds too.:roll:

Ken,

You could set up your own business with these Winter scarves for the Birds.

Laura,

I'm pleased your Weavers are putting the hay to good use, at least they wont need one of the scarves from Ken and Allan.;)

Paul.