We are slowly growing out grasses as well! they are all in small pots atm, they are so slow growing from seeds. As for ideas! one thing i wonna try and do is a ceramic pot heater, easy to set up, just need to keep it inside a small cage, so it doesn't burn the birds if they land on it. Those are suppose to heat up a midsized area really well. Depending of course on how big the pots are. Look up some info on it, people also use crisco candles that would last weeks! As for slug control... i wonder if there is a finch or an aviary bird that eats them?
How about a perimeter of table salt? Salt makes slugs and snails bubble up and die. I don’t believe that table salt is a problem for the birds. In fact they may consume some as a nutrient source. My favorite idea that you are considering is a direct source of natural light. My birds will find a spot in my aviary to perch in direct sunlight, especially on cooler mornings. They have access to shade at all times but, will make an obvious effort to find a sunny spot. There is the obvious benefit of vitamin D, and the plumage becomes more brilliantly colored.
I had a problem with slugs in my atrium Aviary . I sunk i pie plate into the gravel and filled it with beer i covered it with chicken wire mesh to keep the birds out . The slugs are attracted to the beer and drown . It takes a few months to get the next few generations . But it seems to have worked . You just have to be very careful when introducing any live plants so as not to bring in more slugs
I absolutely LOVE the screened in porch idea of course!! You know ME!! The birds and you would benefit from that space alot. Plus giving you a very nice cross breeze thru the avairy. Plus it helps to "Harden" the birds off, kinds like plants. As much as we think of finches as such delicate creatures? We know they are amazingly tough and in native lands endure far more weather conditions than they would in our avairys. The "Slugs" Diatomaceous Earth works fantastic on slug control. To us it looks like baby powder and feels about the same. However under a microscope it is actually very very sharp tiny razor blade like crystals that cut softbodied bugs up horrible. Slugs especially can not and will not even try to cross over it. Sprinkled around the outer edge of avairy and even around compost bins will absolutely keep Slugs out. Outside use however it must be reapplied after a rainfall. Inside the avairy it should be fine as long as it won't get continuous wetness. I honestly feel that Diatomaceous Earth would be bird friendly. It's not toxic or anything in it should not be able to harm birds in anyway that I can think of? I have used it in and around my Honey creeper cages in the summer to keep ants and such away from there nectar feeders. It worked absolutely wonderful. 100%. It's 100% all natural mined from the earth. I don't feel the birds would be interested in any way to consume it. They may take a dust bath in it to eliminate lice, mites, ect... because they maybe able to tell what it is? And know that it would kill and eliminate any external parasites ? If anyone reading this thinks that Diatomaceous Earth would hurt the birds in anyway? Please explain how and why it would? Also beer in shallow bowls with screen around dish so Slugs could get into dish but birds couldn't drink it will also be a wonderful slug trap. Slugs are very very attracted to the yeast in beer and go into the dish and drowned very quickly. Also safe for birds as long as they can't drink (too much of it? Lol lol) and go for a flight! Haha. Grass indoors is a really tough one! It is VERY VERY HIGH light demanding. Also needs good drainage. And it also needs very good airflow for fungus, and bacteria control. But in the screened in area it may work just fine? Perhaps before removing all the rock/gravel ect for grass growing? Maybe try some pans of grass on top of area where you would like to grow it? As an experiment before planting it in the ground area. And one has to be very careful about your drain. That drain is very important in avairy. Rocks/gravel as you have ot know is an excellent way for drainage, and not clogging the drain. Soil in that area will erode, and wiggle its way to drain with water as it travel to drain, and could really quickly completely clogg your drainage system up? One would really have to landscape fabric or other? Medium around that drain so that soils could not get into drain and raise HAVOC for you. I absolutely would not tear up your floor where you have it all insulated and finished off. The more holes you have in that area, the more exposed floor space that is open, is just a huge invitation for all sort of critters to have a gateway -freeway into the avairy. These are just my thoughts on the subject. You and I think alike on almost 99% to 100% on all are bird ideas. So doubtful I brought up anything you haven't already thought about? Lol. But Inwas curious if anyone would comment on.my Diatomaceous Earth idea? Pros and cons? Hope this helps? Troy
The naturals the more better your aviari would be...birds habitat in nature are full of natural plants and soil, they don't like plastic grass carpet and it would cause desease and fungus from the birds slugs. So you can use pure soil and not have to wories about the birds slugs anymore, and also the worms can be an natural extra fooding for the birds. Good luck!
Try using nematode biological control to reduce your slug problems. I understand it's applied when watering & can be bought from Organic Garden centers. Some softbills eat snails so may eat slugs too, but that seems a bit extreme & would probably only keep them in check rather than wipe them out & may cause other bird compatibility problems.
True grasses indoors can get tricky with mold and fungus. I've only tried in large vivaria and houseplants, though, and I'm not sure that is a reasonable comparison with your situation. I had more success with sedges or landscape "grass like" mounding plants- especially semi-tropicals that don't require a dormant dry period like mondo grass (which is apparently neither a grass or a sedge, but an asparagus?? lol). Mondo grass became one of my favourites, along with a couple carex species (some are invasive in North America, though). Sedges usually have shallower root systems and grow by rhizome which might suit your planting area; a lot of native plants have really extensive root systems, at least where I live. I don't think grasses grow well as bonsai; they can be picky about their roots and are pretty nutrient hungry, but I've never tried so who knows! I'm really excited to see what you come up with! What about trying a small section first, so if it gets moldy it's easier to clean up after? (This being said after having to rip out a 6ft terrarium substrate because I was soooo sure my computer fan plan was going to work lmao)
I can’t thank you enough for this information- this is exactly what I was looking for. i love mondo grass as well!! I also got a dwarf fescue to try as sort of a similar ground cover style option as mondo grass. Asparagus-relative- thats unexpected. I am printing and studying your tips. Thank you again, you went above and beyond!!
As I thought about this a bit more...... I think the grass planting is not a good idea. Here is why? You feed your finches daily sprouted and chatted seeds for there nutrition value. We also can soak spray millet and get chatted seed and sprouts still on the wild stalk it grows on. And is served fresh and safely. And you also feed them assorted greens. So nutrition wise I see no benefit from the green grass seed heads, or the grass itself in any nutrition values higher than what you already offer in a safe manner. I think growing the grasses in soil and water inside the avairy is opening pandoras box. It's a great medium for all sorts of bacteria, and undesirable critters, and pathogens that the soils can have. Kinda creating a grassy petri dish if you will? The only benefit I can think of is the physiological enrichment of the natural grasses in there environment. But I think the risk of growing it way out balances the enrichment part? The whole avairy in its entirety is Faux grass, trees, plants , turf. And the birds absolutely love there environment. And you don't have to worry about any natural bacteria or pathogens bieng introduced Into the avairy because of that. So I have to say as lovely as it sounds to plant live grasses for many of the grass loving species you have, you have tremendous success with Faux grasses and trees and plants, and the beautiful ASTRO turf you introduced me to! So after rethinking this? I vote No on planting real grasses inside the avairy. It's high maintenance, high light, and it's chances to introduce bad things in the avairy are just to high risk. Nutritional value of it you definitely have it covered safely. Just give them wild cut grasses like I do collected from pollution free areas. They can get there natural grass fix on those, with no soils, water, bacteria or any other risk factors of live growing grasses. Leave pandoras grass box lid shut? Sincerely? Troy
Thanks Troy, these are all good points and I know you know your greenery! I am convinced to try in the garden this year and see what grows. Maybe I can just convert what is left of my lawn.
We are slowly growing out grasses as well! they are all in small pots atm, they are so slow growing from seeds.
As for ideas! one thing i wonna try and do is a ceramic pot heater, easy to set up, just need to keep it inside a small cage, so it doesn't burn the birds if they land on it.
Those are suppose to heat up a midsized area really well. Depending of course on how big the pots are. Look up some info on it, people also use crisco candles that would last weeks!
As for slug control... i wonder if there is a finch or an aviary bird that eats them?
Keren👍
How about a perimeter of table salt? Salt makes slugs and snails bubble up and die. I don’t believe that table salt is a problem for the birds. In fact they may consume some as a nutrient source.
My favorite idea that you are considering is a direct source of natural light. My birds will find a spot in my aviary to perch in direct sunlight, especially on cooler mornings. They have access to shade at all times but, will make an obvious effort to find a sunny spot. There is the obvious benefit of vitamin D, and the plumage becomes more brilliantly colored.
I agree, there is nothing like direct sunlight. I have to figure that out!
loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I had a problem with slugs in my atrium Aviary . I sunk i pie plate into the gravel and filled it with beer i covered it with chicken wire mesh to keep the birds out . The slugs are attracted to the beer and drown . It takes a few months to get the next few generations . But it seems to have worked . You just have to be very careful when introducing any live plants so as not to bring in more slugs
Thanks for the tip!
I absolutely LOVE the screened in porch idea of course!! You know ME!! The birds and you would benefit from that space alot. Plus giving you a very nice cross breeze thru the avairy. Plus it helps to "Harden" the birds off, kinds like plants. As much as we think of finches as such delicate creatures? We know they are amazingly tough and in native lands endure far more weather conditions than they would in our avairys. The "Slugs" Diatomaceous Earth works fantastic on slug control. To us it looks like baby powder and feels about the same. However under a microscope it is actually very very sharp tiny razor blade like crystals that cut softbodied bugs up horrible. Slugs especially can not and will not even try to cross over it. Sprinkled around the outer edge of avairy and even around compost bins will absolutely keep Slugs out. Outside use however it must be reapplied after a rainfall. Inside the avairy it should be fine as long as it won't get continuous wetness. I honestly feel that Diatomaceous Earth would be bird friendly. It's not toxic or anything in it should not be able to harm birds in anyway that I can think of? I have used it in and around my Honey creeper cages in the summer to keep ants and such away from there nectar feeders. It worked absolutely wonderful. 100%. It's 100% all natural mined from the earth. I don't feel the birds would be interested in any way to consume it. They may take a dust bath in it to eliminate lice, mites, ect... because they maybe able to tell what it is? And know that it would kill and eliminate any external parasites ? If anyone reading this thinks that Diatomaceous Earth would hurt the birds in anyway? Please explain how and why it would? Also beer in shallow bowls with screen around dish so Slugs could get into dish but birds couldn't drink it will also be a wonderful slug trap. Slugs are very very attracted to the yeast in beer and go into the dish and drowned very quickly. Also safe for birds as long as they can't drink (too much of it? Lol lol) and go for a flight! Haha. Grass indoors is a really tough one! It is VERY VERY HIGH light demanding. Also needs good drainage. And it also needs very good airflow for fungus, and bacteria control. But in the screened in area it may work just fine? Perhaps before removing all the rock/gravel ect for grass growing? Maybe try some pans of grass on top of area where you would like to grow it? As an experiment before planting it in the ground area. And one has to be very careful about your drain. That drain is very important in avairy. Rocks/gravel as you have ot know is an excellent way for drainage, and not clogging the drain. Soil in that area will erode, and wiggle its way to drain with water as it travel to drain, and could really quickly completely clogg your drainage system up? One would really have to landscape fabric or other? Medium around that drain so that soils could not get into drain and raise HAVOC for you. I absolutely would not tear up your floor where you have it all insulated and finished off. The more holes you have in that area, the more exposed floor space that is open, is just a huge invitation for all sort of critters to have a gateway -freeway into the avairy. These are just my thoughts on the subject. You and I think alike on almost 99% to 100% on all are bird ideas. So doubtful I brought up anything you haven't already thought about? Lol. But Inwas curious if anyone would comment on.my Diatomaceous Earth idea? Pros and cons? Hope this helps? Troy
Thanks for all the ideas Troy! I appreciate all the thought you put into responding!!
The naturals the more better your aviari would be...birds habitat in nature are full of natural plants and soil, they don't like plastic grass carpet and it would cause desease and fungus from the birds slugs. So you can use pure soil and not have to wories about the birds slugs anymore, and also the worms can be an natural extra fooding for the birds. Good luck!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts- I appreciate it!
@@Echosaviary i'm just sharing my experience for having an aviari too
Try using nematode biological control to reduce your slug problems. I understand it's applied when watering & can be bought from Organic Garden centers. Some softbills eat snails so may eat slugs too, but that seems a bit extreme & would probably only keep them in check rather than wipe them out & may cause other bird compatibility problems.
Thank you!!! I will look into them. Really appreciate it
True grasses indoors can get tricky with mold and fungus. I've only tried in large vivaria and houseplants, though, and I'm not sure that is a reasonable comparison with your situation. I had more success with sedges or landscape "grass like" mounding plants- especially semi-tropicals that don't require a dormant dry period like mondo grass (which is apparently neither a grass or a sedge, but an asparagus?? lol). Mondo grass became one of my favourites, along with a couple carex species (some are invasive in North America, though). Sedges usually have shallower root systems and grow by rhizome which might suit your planting area; a lot of native plants have really extensive root systems, at least where I live. I don't think grasses grow well as bonsai; they can be picky about their roots and are pretty nutrient hungry, but I've never tried so who knows! I'm really excited to see what you come up with! What about trying a small section first, so if it gets moldy it's easier to clean up after? (This being said after having to rip out a 6ft terrarium substrate because I was soooo sure my computer fan plan was going to work lmao)
I can’t thank you enough for this information- this is exactly what I was looking for. i love mondo grass as well!! I also got a dwarf fescue to try as sort of a similar ground cover style option as mondo grass. Asparagus-relative- thats unexpected. I am printing and studying your tips. Thank you again, you went above and beyond!!
@@Echosaviary Oh, it's nothing! Love your channel :)
As I thought about this a bit more...... I think the grass planting is not a good idea. Here is why? You feed your finches daily sprouted and chatted seeds for there nutrition value. We also can soak spray millet and get chatted seed and sprouts still on the wild stalk it grows on. And is served fresh and safely. And you also feed them assorted greens. So nutrition wise I see no benefit from the green grass seed heads, or the grass itself in any nutrition values higher than what you already offer in a safe manner. I think growing the grasses in soil and water inside the avairy is opening pandoras box. It's a great medium for all sorts of bacteria, and undesirable critters, and pathogens that the soils can have. Kinda creating a grassy petri dish if you will? The only benefit I can think of is the physiological enrichment of the natural grasses in there environment. But I think the risk of growing it way out balances the enrichment part? The whole avairy in its entirety is Faux grass, trees, plants , turf. And the birds absolutely love there environment. And you don't have to worry about any natural bacteria or pathogens bieng introduced Into the avairy because of that. So I have to say as lovely as it sounds to plant live grasses for many of the grass loving species you have, you have tremendous success with Faux grasses and trees and plants, and the beautiful ASTRO turf you introduced me to! So after rethinking this? I vote No on planting real grasses inside the avairy. It's high maintenance, high light, and it's chances to introduce bad things in the avairy are just to high risk. Nutritional value of it you definitely have it covered safely. Just give them wild cut grasses like I do collected from pollution free areas. They can get there natural grass fix on those, with no soils, water, bacteria or any other risk factors of live growing grasses. Leave pandoras grass box lid shut? Sincerely? Troy
Thanks Troy, these are all good points and I know you know your greenery! I am convinced to try in the garden this year and see what grows. Maybe I can just convert what is left of my lawn.
Hi mam,
Let me know the way to communicate with you.
This is the best way unless you belong to finch groups online, then just search there.