Use building sand as a base. Easy to clean and it looks natural. Reg the plants: get some spinach growing in pots and put inside the cage. But only put the pot inside once a week, otherwise they might overdo it. Some plants are poisonous, so you need to look online which ones to avoid.

Post some photos once the aviary is finished.

 

Would sand blow around when they flap their wings? Also is there any danger of impaction?

I did like the idea of sand potentially - the main drawback I've heard of not being able to monitor poop health isn't applicable for me since the birds frequently use flightsuits that make it super easy to track health. But I can stick with bathmats and move forward with the rest if sand will end up pomfing all over my lounge haha

 

Give the sand a try and see if it works. Supply them with grit, then they will have no need eating the sand.

 

Hi all!

Not really a loft per say but figured a cage design discussion would be ok here

I have a pigeon cage for a pair that is 120cm tall, 90cm across and 50cm deep that I'd like to work toward turning into a mini vivarium-style home for them.

My plans are:

• I would still be doing regular cleaning of poop
• living plants in the base as well as some situated around perch points
• a nest box somewhere near the top
• a water feature that provides a basin for them to bathe and drink from, though i need to research how robust a filter would need to be to keep the water clean and safe.
• a sediment base of some sort

I think my biggest question for here is about the last point - the cage is indoors, so preferably I'd like a sediment that won't pomf everywhere too much when they flap. Does that even exist?

Also my birds refuse to eat greens but I'd like to make the plants edible just in case they randomly develop the urge, so if anyone has any suggestions on hardy plants that are safe to peck, that would be awesome.

I think making it bioactive is sadly not likely. My birds are afraid of bugs, so even a springtail might upset them.

I'm wondering if cypress mulch might work. Your pigeons could scratch around in it, wouldn't be likely to eat in, and they could earn stimulation by picking up dropped seeds etc. It wouldn't be as easy to "screen" as sand, but would be lighter, less dusty, less "pomfy" and compostable when ready to discard. Just a thought. Whatever you use though, probably won't be as much as a "pomf: issue as feather loss though. Mine just finished moulting and even though I have parrots, I was astounded at the amount of dropped feathers from my pigeons. They were EVERYwhere, Granted, my pigeons are cooped outside and parrots are indoors so I'm sure that would make a difference.... but still!!!

 

Oh tell me about it! Mine are moulting right now and within a few hours it looks like there's a whole new bird all over the floor!

 

Hi all!

Not really a loft per say but figured a cage design discussion would be ok here

I have a pigeon cage for a pair that is 120cm tall, 90cm across and 50cm deep that I'd like to work toward turning into a mini vivarium-style home for them.

My plans are:

• I would still be doing regular cleaning of poop
• living plants in the base as well as some situated around perch points
• a nest box somewhere near the top
• a water feature that provides a basin for them to bathe and drink from, though i need to research how robust a filter would need to be to keep the water clean and safe.
• a sediment base of some sort

I think my biggest question for here is about the last point - the cage is indoors, so preferably I'd like a sediment that won't pomf everywhere too much when they flap. Does that even exist?

Also my birds refuse to eat greens but I'd like to make the plants edible just in case they randomly develop the urge, so if anyone has any suggestions on hardy plants that are safe to peck, that would be awesome.

I think making it bioactive is sadly not likely. My birds are afraid of bugs, so even a springtail might upset them.









That setup sounds interesting! The low taper fringe style gives off a similar neat and balanced vibe simple yet stylish.

That setup sounds interesting! The low taper fringe style gives off a similar neat and balanced vibe simple yet stylish.