Les B
5 posts
Dec 06, 2007
9:58 AM
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Hey guys what do you use on the floor of your loft. I tryed drystall and it cause to much dust, dust it get on everything, I tryed pine saw dust on the floor this was better no dust but when the birds fly to there nest box it all blows in the corners of the loft and gets all in the feed trays. Is there any thing that I can use that is not so dusty or light. Les B
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TRIPP
133 posts
Dec 06, 2007
10:51 AM
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I use hay. Once it gets dirty rake out and repeat works good for me I have my waterers off the floor so no problem there.
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Tripp Grassie
Bird flipper extrodinair!!
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Snake Doctor
78 posts
Dec 06, 2007
11:02 AM
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I went thru the same learning curve you have, pine straw, wood shavings, kitty litter, play sand and I have found as Tripp said that wheat straw works best for me, it is somewhat absorbent as well and it goes right to the garden as mulch when I clean out the loft.
SD
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Les B
7 posts
Dec 06, 2007
11:26 AM
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Thanks for the help guys I will try the straw/hay, this may work
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Missouri-Flyer
1054 posts
Dec 06, 2007
1:36 PM
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wood pellets!..cant beat them.
The hay/straw holds mites,bugs,moisture, so I would not recommend it.
BUT, if your on a fixed income, anything will work.
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Jerry
Home of "Whispering Wings Loft"
Last Edited by on Dec 06, 2007 1:38 PM
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J T
67 posts
Dec 06, 2007
1:38 PM
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In my opinion,
Hay harbors too many parasites during the summer.
I scrape every other day.
I would use hay or pine needles before the other stuff.
Pellets, corn husks, shavings, all break down
and creates a dust bowl when the birds become excited
Love my fresh air with no mask:)))
JT
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Les B
8 posts
Dec 06, 2007
2:08 PM
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one of the things I don't want is moisture on the lofts floors and is there any thing I can put on the floor that will kill parasites. Robby do ground up corn cobs help stop moistureand not make a lot of dust? Jerry:what are wood pellets I never heard of them? Les B.
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Les B
9 posts
Dec 06, 2007
2:08 PM
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one of the things I don't want is moisture on the lofts floors and is there any thing I can put on the floor that will kill parasites. Robby do ground up corn cobs help stop moistureand not make a lot of dust? Jerry:what are wood pellets I never heard of them? Les B.
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Electric-man
925 posts
Dec 06, 2007
2:39 PM
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If you use the hay and think parasites are a problem, you might try sprinkling a little seven dust around! I use it on my birds in the summer and it doesn't hurt them! I also sprinkle a little in under the nesting material in the nest boxes!
I use river sand on my brick floors! Our sand around here is red and has clay in it! So it doesn't blow around much. I only use about 3 shovel fulls in a 8'x 8' pen, just enough that it absorbs moisture, but is easy to clean out. I scrape with a square nose shovel every couple of weeks and it only takes a few minutes.
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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Missouri-Flyer
1055 posts
Dec 06, 2007
3:44 PM
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Les,
The pellets are wood pellets for pellet stoves. I buy mine at a local farm supply store for $3.50 a 50lb bag. One bag will cover a 4X4 section.. One bag, after layed down, will last a few months, with ZERO dust.. I know there are several guys on this list that use them as well..Try it if you can find them near you. I think you will be happy.
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Jerry
Home of "Whispering Wings Loft"
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PR_rollers
200 posts
Dec 06, 2007
4:11 PM
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I agree with Jerry,,i read somewhere too that The hay/straw holds mites,bugs,moisture, so I would not recommend .
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Ralph....
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PR_rollers
201 posts
Dec 06, 2007
4:26 PM
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I found some info that might help..
Floor covering...you must have a dry loft floor.
In recent years i have use3"to 4" of ground corn cob on my floors as a time savor..I use Dura fork to pick up clumps under where they perch and using the same Dura fork, I rake the floor. I replace the corn cob about once a year. the best floor covering is probably sand but it also need turned over and rake regularly.Do not use "hay or straw" on the floor as they may hold moisture and create mold.....Shavings or Sawdust are messy and dusty..
Ralph....
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J_Star
1418 posts
Dec 06, 2007
4:32 PM
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To cut down on the dust by 80% or more install vents on the bottom of your loft walls. Two vents on each opposite side. I use wood pellets and have no problems.
Jay
Last Edited by on Dec 06, 2007 4:32 PM
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Les B
10 posts
Dec 06, 2007
5:17 PM
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Thanks jerry the ZERO DUST is just what I need (lung problem). Do any one that live in southern Califorina from Los Angeles to Riverside know where i can get some wood pellets.
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CSRA
683 posts
Dec 06, 2007
5:18 PM
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I use corn cob it works great also u must have ventalation
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Oldfart
285 posts
Dec 07, 2007
5:03 AM
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Hey All, I tried most of the floor coverings mentioned , some worked better then others. I settled on white sterilized play sand from the lumber store. It does not blow around, is easy to clean and traps any spilt water. I use a large kitchen seive to strain out the poo,spilt food or grit, and water that is spilt will clump up and is removed and dircarded also. My loft is in close proximity to my neighbor's and I clean every day, the only odor is clean birds. Quick and easy, thats what works for me, it also is cheap, about $3.50 a bag for 50 lbs., lasts a month or longer.
Thom
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glenn
60 posts
Dec 07, 2007
8:08 AM
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 Hello Les
I used 1/8" x 3/4" expanded metal on my floor. I staple the metal to 2" x 3"'s on 16" centers so you can walk on it. Put hinges & handels on floor so I could p/u and clean up droppings once or twice a monrh.......Glenn
Last Edited by on Dec 07, 2007 8:55 AM
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3757
382 posts
Dec 07, 2007
8:19 AM
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Glenn - This is also what I use and it is the best for me also.
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Alohazona
358 posts
Dec 07, 2007
8:34 AM
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Racing homer guys roll 30 lb tarpaper over plywood,you can still scrape it.Replacing it,simply rollup the old and roll new 36" strips.They like a solid floor because they say the homers can loose form on wire.
Definetly,don't use hay or straw,it get's nasty...Aloha,Todd
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