I've been reading many different threads since I picked up Otto and Eloise, my new rescued Ringneck doves, the other day. I've ordered several books on keeping doves, been reading like crazy about them on the internet, got them fresher feed, have been singing to them (which they really like) and am in the process of making them a new, and WAY bigger indoor cage. They seem to be adjusting really well to their new environment, but I want to make sure that I'm doing things right since I'm new to keeping doves.
I don't know much about their history except that they were supposedly bought from Petco for a photo shoot and a friend of a friend took them since they didn't know what to do with them afterwards. She has had them both in a 16" x 12" cage for I believe, 8 months?!! Crazy.
Since they've come to my place, one of my biggest priorities this week has been to figure out a new cage for them and I've been working on one that is 30"H X 30"L and 24"W. I chose that size based on recommendations I read in the forum and the fact that it will fit comfortably within one of the windows in my room- so that they will get as much sun as my north facing bedroom gets. They like being by the window and are curious about the 6 chickens that we keep in the backyard!
I've read that one shouldn't use chicken wire outside, but if there isn't any threat of predators, can you use it for indoor cages? I was planning on making a system for the bottom where there was a hardwire cloth tray that they could walk on, but then another tray below that would collect thrown seed and feces. I read though that both chicken + hardwire cloth was made using zinc (which is toxic to birds), and I've gotten sooooo confused about this since everyone seems to use both. Another site recommended soaking both materials in hot water with baking soda to neutralize the material and make it safer- which is what I did- but the question remains: are either of these safe for doves? And if it is, can you paint the hardwire cloth to make it last longer from feces continually being dropped on it?
Also, for the wood I'm using, I read elsewhere that you can use Shellac if you let it sit for a couple days before introducing it to the birds. Is this true?
Whew- I have many more questions, but these come first since they need their new home, and they need it asap!
Thanks for any advice you all might have for this newbie!
I don't know much about their history except that they were supposedly bought from Petco for a photo shoot and a friend of a friend took them since they didn't know what to do with them afterwards. She has had them both in a 16" x 12" cage for I believe, 8 months?!! Crazy.
Since they've come to my place, one of my biggest priorities this week has been to figure out a new cage for them and I've been working on one that is 30"H X 30"L and 24"W. I chose that size based on recommendations I read in the forum and the fact that it will fit comfortably within one of the windows in my room- so that they will get as much sun as my north facing bedroom gets. They like being by the window and are curious about the 6 chickens that we keep in the backyard!
I've read that one shouldn't use chicken wire outside, but if there isn't any threat of predators, can you use it for indoor cages? I was planning on making a system for the bottom where there was a hardwire cloth tray that they could walk on, but then another tray below that would collect thrown seed and feces. I read though that both chicken + hardwire cloth was made using zinc (which is toxic to birds), and I've gotten sooooo confused about this since everyone seems to use both. Another site recommended soaking both materials in hot water with baking soda to neutralize the material and make it safer- which is what I did- but the question remains: are either of these safe for doves? And if it is, can you paint the hardwire cloth to make it last longer from feces continually being dropped on it?
Also, for the wood I'm using, I read elsewhere that you can use Shellac if you let it sit for a couple days before introducing it to the birds. Is this true?
Whew- I have many more questions, but these come first since they need their new home, and they need it asap!
Thanks for any advice you all might have for this newbie!
