wire floor or not

[p charlton]

ive had a dowled fronted loft put up on my alotmnt today. i am going to open it up more and add a avary onto it. due to having pfl what would be best cleaning out ie every day or week or have a wire floor and say pay somene say once a year to clean it. what of the above would the best way that will reduce getting pfl again

[flyingteessider]

a decent mask

[kev43]

a mask and a wire floor in the aviary  then u double protected better b safe then sorry is my motto

[Guest Owen]

I suffer with chest problems so I altered the loft to help myself.

I fitted a couple of aviaries with wire floors over concrete. The birds can bath in safety and if one of them throws up the evidence is there for me to see.

I fitted a flap onto the outside of the loft so that I can basket the birds quickly and without catching them. They are run into the crate so that there is no flying or flapping about so that the dust is not stirred up. If I want to handle the birds or treat them for something, I take them from the crate outside the loft. I almost never catch pigeons inside the loft.

The inside of the loft has deep litter down, made from the Vesa Laga floor dressing. The Widowhood Cocks are cleaned  twice every day when they are outside exercising. I wipe the boxes out with virocidal distinfectant a couple of times each week to get rid of any dust that may start to build up.

When I do clean I wear a good face mask and spray the loft with a knapsack sprayer containing distinfectant.

The loft is very airy because it is fitted with 2" breathing slots the full length each side of the apex both sides. The ceilings are wire mesh. There are openings under the widowhood boxes creating an air flow up and through the sections. All these things are for me and the pigeons.  

[p charlton]

cheers for that

[Roland]

Nice post Owen and again pretty practical. Air in and out is a must. Like also the Rabbit hutch versions - similar to Kieth Motts. If had room and a missis that allowed me to hog all tye garden I would have Rabbit Htches, I.e. Part closed in for nesting, about a square foot, and 18 inch wired flight on poles in a circle. 12 pair like this would be ample and great for PL. AND Birds and me all alike.