Cleaning nesting bowls

[OLDYELLOW]

I have just cleaned out all my nesting bowls no doubt alot of you will be doing the same prior to pairing , i have noticed even after soaking for 24hrs the bowls still seem pitted with calcium deposits obviously from the urine even after scrubbing , i soaked mine in Harpic power toilet cleaner and this helped remove the deposits just thought i'd post this to help others get there bowls as clean as i have , im very happy with the results  

[Big Davie]

I LAY MINE OUT ON THE PAVING SLABS IN FRONT OF THE LOFT THEN BLAST THEM WITH A PRESSURE WASHER, THEY ARE SPOTLESS IN MINUTES.

DAVIE

[harky]

i let mines soak in a big bin over the winter in jays fluid , and then dry them out over hot coals ,kills and cleans everything

[grizzal]

OLD YELLOW would varnishing the nest bowls help keep any bugs/germs out ?? :-/

[jimmy_bulger]

i use jays like harky soak in a bin for a week or so then jet wash em .

[OLDYELLOW]

OLD YELLOW would varnishing the nest bowls help keep any bugs/germs out ?? :-/

 

That depends on what the bowls made of,  but no porus surface is inpenitrable by germs thats why i prefer plastic to claybowls , but if made of wood the varnish will protect and stop woodworm penitrating and the bowl from rotting when ever wet through droppings or cleaning

[Peckedhen]

I use the clay bowls, soak them in water overnight then scrub with a pan scourer. They come up like new and I've not had any problems with rearing youngsters in them.

[cemetary]

I just leave them to soap for a couple of days, then remove the dirty water down the drain, refill with warm soapy water then get scrubbing, once i have done that i then soak them in cold water then leave them to dry therself. Then make sure they are dry, then store them, ready for the boxes.

[OLDYELLOW]

i used to find if the frost got the clay bowls they smash so beware if in water the ice expands then they get air line fractures then break when you pick them up

[ChrisMaidment08]

i leave mine in parason bleach for couple days come up loverly

[mushroom]

After I have cleaned the bowls out I usually give mine a lime wash inside and underneath the bowl. All it consists of is water and hydrated lime from the builders yard made into a watery emulsion. I also do the nest box floors and nest compartment walls. It works very well on the loft floor and YB perchs as well. However if your birds are not clean inside then disease will soon contaminate the bowls. The birds dont seem to be affected in any way by the lime wash as I have used it for years.      

[Guest spin cycle]

talking to an ex fancier today who used to put a few shavings in bottom then 'coat' bowl with 2-3 layers of newspaper taping them round the underside of rim .. once nest was over remove the paper and chuck away. i might try it this year.

[ChrisMaidment08]

talking to an ex fancier today who used to put a few shavings in bottom then 'coat' bowl with 2-3 layers of newspaper taping them round the underside of rim .. once nest was over remove the paper and chuck away. i might try it this year.

 

that sounds eworth a try

[OLDYELLOW]

i had seen that posted somewhere but surely dropings would make it rip and birds feet when jumping on nest bowl

[blackswan]

i stick them in the dishwasher when the wife goes shopping

[OLDYELLOW]

ill have to pop to yours next time blackswan  ;D ;D ;D

[Guest spin cycle]

i had seen that posted somewhere but surely dropings would make it rip and birds feet when jumping on nest bowl

 

he said paper in bottom can gat a bit ripped and thats why he put shavings in . up until now i havn't used nest bowls my birds use straw and when nests get messy i haul out the nest, make another and put ybs back.

[OLDYELLOW]

i usualy change the nest at ringing stage

[harky]

i stick them in the dishwasher when the wife goes shopping

 

;D ;D ;D ;D DIVORCE COULD BE ON THE CARDS IF YOU GET CAUGHT ;D ;D ;D

[Guest Vic]

I am luckily enough to have a decent sized fish pond in my garden. A fortnights immersment of all bowls,  normally does the trick.,licked clean to say the least. by the organic pondnlife.

[THE FIFER]

i let mine soak in water with bleach added, moves all.

[OLDYELLOW]

i let mine soak in water with bleach added, moves all.

 

and what about your bowls lol  ;D ;D ;D

[Roland]

Just wait till thye missis goes out shopping, take the main crap off and the feathers, etc. like and bung them in the Washing machine. Cool that, and sterilises them too boot lol   ;D ;D

 

Know a few that have washing machines though for that purpose.

[Roland]

Mine are left out in the garden. Rain and weather sterilises them. Them just prior to need they are left a day in Bleach and them scrubbed.

Every notice any one what happens if left too long in bleach? and what becomes of the water when and if left?

[tskyes]

I USED TO DO MINE IN THE DISH WASHER UNTIL THE WIFE CAUGHT ME AND WENT DIVVY SO I USE THE CARDBOARD ONES NOW