sand

[john23]

hi does anyone use sand on the loft floor just a slight cover to help keep it clean so it can be swept up and riddled or is it not a good idea because of dust

john

[klinkley]

I used to have sand on the floor, and used a bakers sieve to sift it through.  It did get quite dusty.

[Guest]

Stopped using it a long time ago. Was told by my vet that it wasn't a good floor covering on its own, and also found that it didn't dry the droppings out, there was always a damp patch in the sand underneath the dropping. Damp patches make ideal breeding grounds for flies and microbes.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

Stopped using it a long time ago. Was told by my vet that it wasn't a good floor covering on its own, and also found that it didn't dry the droppings out, there was always a damp patch in the sand underneath the dropping. Damp patches make ideal breeding grounds for flies and microbes.

 

have seen older fliers lofts and they had sharp sand and wood shavings and some lime mixed through it and their lofts were absolutely bone dry, they just raked it occasionally and maybe once a year turn it all over and the birds always seemed to be in good health

[Guest]

I tried the sand for a while,always seemed cold for the birds and was a nightmare if the rain blew in as it just wouldn't dry out again,then someone told me it encourages coccidiosis so that was it,I use easi bed now.

[DOVEScot]

Have looked at a number of outside aviaries in bird sanctuaries, and they seem to have gravel/very coarse sand on the floor, thinking about this for our aviary

6" of rubble/hard core and then a good bed of lime then very coarse sand

[little sam]

dry kiln sand is gd or childrens playing sand just under where the perches are  

[Back garden fancier]

I've used sand for the past 2 years and it's the best change I ever made! I use B & Q kiln dried sand, which is fine and bone dry. Provided the rain can't blow in your loft it it ok. I scrape the perches off daily and riddle the sand weekly with a very fine riddle. Because the sand is so fine the pigeons dont eat it as grit and the loft is always fresh and clean. The sand actually traps the dust and feathers. I have the sand about 1 inch deep and change the whole lot every 6 months.

[Guest]

Haven't seen the kiln dried sand at B&Q, have used Homebase sharp sand in the past. Like the idea because the heat applied would mean the sand was completely sterile, whereas I was always suspicious that I was bringing something into the loft in sharp sand, for a start it was always damp 'fresh' out of the bag.

[Back garden fancier]

Give it a go mate. I work shifts so I can't scrape everyday and I hate looking at droppings on the floor. As you say the kiln dried sand is sterile when you get it. It's just piled up with all the other sand at B & Q

[Guest Greig the doo Drysdale]

I tried play pit sand was good at the start then the wife got angry because it was trailing all through the house in the rain. Now useing cocci stuff which is great

[Back garden fancier]

Yes I had the same problem in the wet. Ive got an astro turf doormat outside the loft now to stop the wife moaning at me!

[john23]

I tried play pit sand was good at the start then the wife got angry because it was trailing all through the house in the rain. Now useing cocci stuff which is great

 

whats cocci m8

[Guest Greig the doo Drysdale]

 

whats cocci m8

 

It's versel laga just like cat litter but it help keep cocci abay also

[jimmy white]

ive found course sand mixed with loft treatment ok,, as long as bone dry,, damp sand in a loft is the worse thing for cocci and worms , they thrive in it

[korhil]

you can get kiln dried sand at most builders merchants, should be cheaper than b and q ?

[DOVEScot]

What about in a loft area which is well covered from the elements, heard a bed of lime under the sand kills any bacteria from droppings

[DOVEScot]

you can get kiln dried sand at most builders merchants, should be cheaper than b and q ?

 

£2.75 + vat at Jewson, but that may be trade price :-/

[darin]

ive used sand for 4 yrs now and dont have any problems with it !! but i clean out every day and put fresh sand in .! thats why me wheeleeeee bin has about a ton in every fortnight lol

[Guest MBpigeonguy]

i still use sand. 3 inches of it,

[Guest Greig the doo Drysdale]

how much is lime and were do you get it

[Guest TAMMY_1]

how much is lime and were do you get it

 

builders merchants sell it

[Guest Greig the doo Drysdale]

 

builders merchants sell it

 

cheers ears

[Guest]

Word of caution on lime: Lime is a generic term which can cover limestone, chalk, quicklime and hydrated lime. Only one type is safe for you and your pigeons and that is [1] below known variously as limestone, agricultural lime, calcium carbonate, CaCO3 . The other two are caustic and can burn eyes and skin. [2] amd [3] below.

 

You are more likely to find the 'proper' stuff at an agricultural supplies outlet. Get mine from my grain supplier Russells Country Supplies, Stirling Road, Larbert, and it is £4 for a 25kg bag.

 

 

Each type of lime is known by a number of different names, [synonyms] some of which are given below. I advise you to call it by the chemical formula or the chemical name, that way you can't go wrong.

 

[1]

Limestone/Chalk

Chemical Name - Calcium Carbonate

Chemical Formula CaCO3

Synonyms calcium carbonate, limestone, chalk

Molecular Mass 100.09

Decomposes when calcined at 900°C to form calcium oxide

 

 

[2]

Calcining (or burning) - This involves heating the limestone chalk to approx.

1100 °C in a kiln

 

Quicklime

Chemical Name - Calcium Oxide

Chemical Formula CaO

Synonyms calcium oxide, quicklime, burnt lime

Molecular Mass 56.08 Melts at 2614 °C, boils at 2850 °C

 

[3]

 

Hydration (or slaking) - This involves adding water, which produces an exothermic reaction (gives out heat).

 

Hydrated Lime

Chemical Name - Calcium Hydroxide

Chemical Formula Ca(OH)2

Synonyms calcium hydroxide, hydrated lime, slaked lime,

Molecular Mass 74.09

Decomposes at 580°C to form calcium oxide

 

 

 

[Guest]

I know some fanciers prefer to deep litter their birds but to be honest by the time you have finnished messing about with which type of lime to use and mix with what and raking it over aren't you just better off having a quick clean out every day,much cleaner and simpler