mews aviary flooring

[RedNoseK9]

maybe this has already been discussed but i cant find it so just thought i would ask

what do you use on the floor of your mews/aviary?

gravel sand bark,

intresting to know whos using what an how they are finding it i am going to be using a tough astroturf in the mews that i can remove and jet wash.

[Moses]

maybe this has already been discussed but i cant find it so just thought i would ask

what do you use on the floor of your mews/aviary?

gravel sand bark,

intresting to know whos using what an how they are finding it i am going to be using a tough astroturf in the mews that i can remove and jet wash.


most i believe use pea gravel but some use sand of some sort but have a plastic feeding board or something on top of it so the food dont get soiled

pea gravel rocks though

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Never ever bark!!!
Peagravel I find good, ore astroturf like you said.

[Roo]

When I come to build mine, I think I will use gravel, quite a few inches deep, so can be jet washed and raked over. I was under the impression that bark is a bad choice...problems with asper and encouraging parasites?

[Finnish]

I got told by some one not to use bark as it holds bacteria don't no how true this is.

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Do not ever use bark as it is like a feast for fungus spores, The chanses of it resulting in asper is sky high, stay well away of anything that encourage fungus growt.

[Sean]

use 11mil pea gravel

[Minty]

Just did mine and used 3 inch deep pea shingle. i have not covered the inside quarters (i.e on wood flooring) as the weight of the shingle may not be good on the flooring and am thinking of astroturf.

Any thoughts

[Tim Laycock]

Concrete painted with an epoxy sealing paint 8)

[StormRider]

Pea gravel is best. Lay approx 6-7 inches thick with a layer of chicken wire beneath to stop foxes digging underneath. Once layed give the peagravel a good power wash through to get rid of any impurities whilst being kept at the builders yard. If you can allow it to drain and dry out. The pea gravel is natures form best of drainage and dries out very quickly for your bird. It also works as a pure filter for the purposes of breaking down the mutes, etc whn it is powerwashed.
Always give your peagravel a good wash when cleaning out the aviary and always give it a good rake to pull out any overlooked casts and owt else. Its usually what is left overs from the bird that attracts flies.
STU

[Kentish Falconry]

Hi RNK9 What did you have on the floor of your weatherings for your last bird?
You must never use bark on the floor it is just too dangerous. A friend of mine back in the 90's who was well known for breeding top quality Finnish Goshawks decided that Forest Bark on the floor of his breeding chambers would look nice and be more natural for his birds 3 months later he had lost nearly all his breeding stock to Asper before he realised what he had done. So don't use it.
I have used 10mm Pea shingle now for years and never had a problem with it, I did try silver sand once in the weatherings but found it to be too much of a problem and threw it out and went back to Pea shingle.
Terry:supz:

[HawkEagle]

I use plain concrete flooring. It's easy to keep clean and dont hide away any dirt. The floor drys away quickly after washing. I reckon the surface of the floor isn't critical as most bird don't spend much time on the floor therefore the easiest to keep clean should be the best.:)

[Fletch]

There are several grades of stone used for pebble dashing, I use a smooth one most like pea shingle and about half the price.

[StormRider]

Hawk eagle - I would agree with you on the cleaning side, but you cant clean every day. The pea gravel allows fluids from mutes, etc to disperse through and below the finished level. On a hard flat surface like concrete or plastic, etc, the main mute fluid just lies there and takes longer to dry. They inevitably drag their tail and wing tip feathers through the mute and end up with damaged feathers. I aint seen a bird yet that doesnt want to have a walk on the floor.
STU

[Juzzer]

think of birds tallons on concrete floors oooohhh dull as **** and not much good in the field??????

[Murph]

I know most of you on here will say not but i dont think pea gravel is the best. My mentor kindly pointed out if you want to jet wash it it goes everywhere!!! I think sand is good and i know that a few use it on here. easy to clean etc. Also I have found that a few peple use your larger type pebbles like you get on beach for the flight and if rain can get in.

Just like to say however i still dont have my HH but vice from severl falconers i respect would say sand! White sillica Sand is good i am told so your harris white bits dont go a muddy red!!

Anywa good luck:supz:

[Albie]

maybe this has already been discussed but i cant find it so just thought i would ask

what do you use on the floor of your mews/aviary?

gravel sand bark,

intresting to know whos using what an how they are finding it i am going to be using a tough astroturf in the mews that i can remove and jet wash.
If it's any help to you, this is what I use and nice and easy to clean

[RedNoseK9]

Would never use bark the reason i included it in my list was so that any body who was could be educated i used pea gravel still do but next season i am putting in a sheet of astroturf that can be taken out and jet washed

[StormRider]

I have found that with pea gravel it is much easier to power wash it from the front to the back of the aviary. Any small bits that are thrown up will go up the walls and then you just wash the walls down last with the power wash. Then rake the gravel flat for a perfect finish. All of this and you dont even have to get your hands wet.
With sand being much finer I find that it is much more dusty when dry and goes every where when power washed. In my opinion I also feel that a dustier environment is bad for the bird.
To be honest, the only way for you to make your mind up after all this advice is to just try what you think is right for you. I hope you make the right decisions and enjoy your bird to the best of its potential.
STU

[Tim Laycock]

think of birds tallons on concrete floors oooohhh dull as **** and not much good in the field??????

Nothing wrong with concrete!

I use concrete coared with an epoxy paint, my Gos does not go on the floor!

Her talons still get dull and I do not understand how, but this can be rectified quite easily so its no big deal.

[Murph]

Stormrider has alot my experience than me but I would have thought dust wouldnt be a problem for a harris! Seems as they come from dusty desert! And the sand you only have dustpan and brush up the mess. Sponge the walls. Anyway you will have to find whats best for you! i have found the only problems with this place is we all have different ideas on things and they all work - it would seem!!!

Regards Murph:supz:

Needs to be said im still learning myself!!

[Gaz]

..they dont wear anklets etc in the desert,plus it dont get wet...often...

[DorsetAde]

Gaz caught my line of thinking and got there first. My mentor advised not to use gravel becuase it can get into the birds feathers causing damage and behind the anklets, especially when wet acting like sandpaper

I use 10mm pea shingle, works well for me for washing down etc but i do shovel out the larger mutes rather than washing them down into the gravel as over a period of time it will build up. I also use a disinfectant about once a month to control parasites and bacteria (vet advised)

But in the end, like everyone has said. try out what you think and suck it and see !!

Ade

[Minty]

But what about inside the closed section? I have a wooden Floor and 5 ins of pea shingle and my 30st weight will not take it.
It will in some way not have to be washed down as it will rot, even Astroturf will be.
Maybe just a white sheet or something that can be removed for cleaning.
And 'No' i can't remove the wooden floor if anyone asks.
Any ideas Boys/Girls?:supz:

[DorsetAde]

I've used 18mm marine ply on my floor, not cheap but should last a few years, washes out pretty well although the door needs to be open to accelerate the drying process

[StormRider]

What you need to consider really is what you have access to. You have to ensure that you do not use half measures with regards to the welfare of the bird. You are probably in a good situation at the moment base on the fact that you are preparing for the arrival of a bird and it isnt already resident.
Yes a Harris does live in a desert when in its natural state. However a desert is arrid and dry and basic airborne dry dust would not necessarily pose a significant problem when a bird can fly anywhere it wants to. A captive bird in a confined environment cannot escape its conditions that easy which is why measures have to be taken to prevent all forms of disease. Any form of sand which is used in the UK will always get wet and stay wet for a long time between seasons. Its this dampness with such a fine material, mixed with mutes, fungi, bacteria, etc that can cause problems of asper with any species, albeit some species suffer from asper more easily than others.
believe me that peagravel is much easier to clean and contain than any form of sand. I have used concrete in the past with a coating, but my personal preference is to use peagravel. Its just that I personally have found that birds do go to floor level when free lofted and drag their feathers through the *****.
The good thing about what you're doing here is that you are attempting to discount the wrong materials to use, so I am sure you will make the right informed decision.
By the way, when is your bird coming?
STU

[StormRider]

Sorry! When I talk about peagravel I do actually mean pea shingle.
STU

[Talon]

ive allways used play sand on my floor.as its easy to clean.
never had any trouble with it.been using it for years now
it doesnt get on the birds food. as there feed is droped through a hatch on to feeding shelves.

[ScotsFalconer]

play sand i feel is the best as if you put a thick enought layer it moved when the bird bates to stop feather damage and collects **** so much easier.

[Minty]

The trouble with inside the enclosed area is the wood flooring, if washed down it will rot.
Perhaps a removable rubber mat which can be washed outside the Aviary?

[Hells99]

The trouble with inside the enclosed area is the wood flooring, if washed down it will rot.
Perhaps a removable rubber mat which can be washed outside the Aviary?
Sounds like a plan... or a piece of lino as it's cheaper. Just hose it down and scrub it, sorted!

[StormRider]

You could try and use my new sheet material for the base instead of ply. You could support it underneath with 600 centre spars and drill 12mm holes every 200 in each direction. If you place it on a slight gradient from front to back and then cover it with your sand/gravel it will drain out and not rot. £42 a sheet @ 8x4 and 6mm thick. (See my thread on new aviary material)
STU

[Murph]

Or Minty you could try and use plasic sheeting and sand over the top you dont have to worry about rot then you can use Plastic sheeting on wall areas too anyway thats what i have done untill i extened the mews! I will then have sand in the coverd area and large pea gravel in the other. that will mean i can use the jet wash on it. My metor kindly pointed out dangers of illness with damp and wet so you have to do your best to stop that if you have nowhere for the water to run then you need a differnt substrate! (sand)

Murph

[Hells99]

just looking for education here... may seem a stupid question and probably is.

Why can't you have a concrete floor in the covered area with a good layer of pea shingle?

Helen

[Tim Laycock]

You dont even need to bother with pea shingle on top of concrete!

The surface just needs painting with an epoxy paint to seal it.

It can then be scrubbed and washed down.

[Hells99]

Would there not be a risk of tail feather damage on plain concrete? And blunt talons?

[Minty]

Carpet or lino or maybe Astroturf which can be removable and hosed down.

i like the idea of astroturf as a good scrub regulary should do it.

[RedNoseK9]

astroturff i have found is excellent the poo does not sit on the surface and and it is easily cleaned its also good for the wall behind the perche stops everything running to the floor and then you can just jet wash that also

[Tim Laycock]

Concret painted with epoxy paint is a smooth, sealed, non abrasive surface.
Less chance of a feather breakage or blunt tallons than sand or gravel respectively.

[StormRider]

You do not want to be using carpet. Carpet is one of the biggest harvesters of bacteria and asper. It is uncleanable unless cleaned with a steam cleaner, which can be expensive to hire on a regular basis, and the carpet will be damp most of the time. Carpet is fine however for travel boxes, etc where you can replace it fairly quickly with another small piece. I have used concrete before and have found that fluids from the mutes do not drain away and take a while to dry. Any bird that goes down to the floor is then dragging its feathers through the *****. Yes it is good for cleaning, but my experience has shown that this is the only good point.
STU

[Minty]

Sounds like Astroturf could be the way to go.

Anyone know the cheapest place in S.E you can cut to size?

[Hells99]

The only thing I don't like about astroturf is trying to pick out those stubborn little bits that get stuck in it, lol - gets all up my fingernails ;)

[Tim Laycock]

Sealed concrete should be cleaned daily at any rate!
If the floor has been layed with a mews/loft in mind it should have a fall anyway and be easily washed down.

I prefer to wash down daily and clean my bird up(If the need arises, Which it does not) than deal with what arises from other surfaces etc

You cant get a much stronger arguement for its use than the fact that it is easy to clean!
A clean mews helps to make for a healthy hawk

[James_Falconry1]

I go wid BB with free lofting using concrete painted as you an jet wash and also get in there with a bucket af boiling water and F10 and mop it out to. as long as you have a run off as you should with any avery, all the water is washed out and away from the avery and not down through the gravel.

[StormRider]

I aint arguing guys. Im just saying that peagravel is my personal preference having used concrete before. As I said earlier, I think the right decision will be made for the person concerned whn they gat as much info as they can. If your happy and your bird is happy then we are all happy.
Good luck anyway and be proud of what ever you build. I would probably say that every falconer in the world has learned a bit of what they do through trial and error.

STU

[Hells99]

It's so much better to se what other people have found as solutions tho so we don't have to keep making the same mistakes over and over. Thank you, everyone for this discussion.

Helen

[StormRider]

Yo Minty!!!!!!!
Its been a while m8 since the last post. Just checking to see what you decided to go with. If you've got any pics lets have a look man.
STU