BULLFROG
44 posts
Jan 29, 2005
10:57 AM
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i am haveing a problem with my kit box and i would like some ideas as to how to fix it! my birds are getting the inside of the kit box all wet and it is affecting the feather quality of the birds. i have used heavy ceramic bowls and they splash it all out. i have also tryed the jar type waters and im not sure how but they are getting water all over. i clean the kit once a week but it is getting to be a mess. is there an alternitive that i am missing here. i have never had a problem except for this box!! if i cut out the solid floor in a spot and put wire down will this negitivly affect the draft issue? thanks chris
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Bluesman
171 posts
Jan 29, 2005
11:12 AM
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Chris.Winter time is bad for this.Seems like body heat causes condensation if not vented properly.Most of my kit boxes I have built a second floor 3-1/2" above the other floor.This floor is either covered with expanded wire or whatever else I can find used so there is air space between the solid floor and where they feed & drink.Droppings fall on floor below and when you are ready to clean just lift the second floor out and clean.The lighter you make the second floor the easier it is to handle.I have not built a perfect kit box yet.Maybe someday I will get it all together.What works for one thing or season dosen't always work another time.
They must be kept dry whatever you have to do.David
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BULLFROG
45 posts
Jan 29, 2005
12:16 PM
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hi david this problem has just started in the last 5 days and it has been rather foggy and muggy here. i have cleaned the whole floor and dried it with flour and scraped it clean. after this i may have the shiniest kit floor ever!! lol. i will try the second floor today and see what i can do. thanks chris
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Mother lode lofts
463 posts
Jan 29, 2005
1:34 PM
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Chris it gets hard with moisture in the air as nothing dries out. just do the best that you can and when you get some sun open it up to try and get things drying out. Conditions such as this is stressful on the birds health also. Got the same here , I use a loft floor dressing in the stock loft also that helps suck up the moisture after scraping
Last Edited by Mother lode lofts on Jan 29, 2005 1:35 PM
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BULLFROG
46 posts
Jan 29, 2005
3:56 PM
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LET ME THROW ANOTHER FACT OUT HERE AND SEE IF I MAY HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE SMALLEST OF THE BIRDS ARE VERY DIRTY. THEY HAVE GONE FROM NICE CLEAN BIRDS TO MESSY DIRTY RATTY LOOKING SCABS. I HAVE NEVER HAD BIRDS IN ANYTHNIG BUT A CLIMATE CONTROLLED LOFT AND THIS WOOD BOX IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS! THE DROPPINGS ARE NOT RUNNY AND I AM HOPEING THE WET IS JUST MAKEING THE DROPINGS STICK TO THE BIRDS. THANKS CHRIS
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Mother lode lofts
464 posts
Jan 29, 2005
4:21 PM
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Dave this time of year it is 40s and 50s daytime and when its clear hits freeing at night. Lots of rain and when not raining have quite a bit of fog this time of year. Today was nice and the sun was out much of the day. Got to fly some birds !!!!!
Last Edited by Mother lode lofts on Jan 29, 2005 4:27 PM
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Mother lode lofts
465 posts
Jan 29, 2005
4:26 PM
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Chris "dryness" is the key !!!! put a heat lamp on there to dry it out if nothing else. Those kind of conditions will start dropping birds if you aren't careful. Like I said earlier this time of year I'm fighting moisture also and I even have wire floors on the kitboxes.
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BULLFROG
47 posts
Jan 29, 2005
4:43 PM
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heat lamp why didnt i think of that???????? just put one in there gonna keep these little buggers dry if i gotta stand there and blow dry them all:) thanks guys
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J_Star
188 posts
Jan 29, 2005
7:01 PM
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Bullfrog,
When it comes to the water set up and avoid the water from getting contaminated with their droppings or splashing it all over the place, I built a small box that is attached from the outside of the kit box. This box is about 18" long X 18"high. It opens from the top and the front. The front meaning that when I am standing behind the kit box. I cut in the back of the Kit box a small section 3" H X 6" L that is the same level with the floor of the attached box. This small hole that I created is to place a waterer (cats waterer type) through. The birds will only have access to the water but cannot see the container of the water. From the inside, I built a three-side shelf like ( I__I ) but upside-down that covers the waterer. This way, the birds cannot take a bath with their drinking water and don't soil it either. I don't know if I did a good job explaining the setup, but if you still not clear, just ask me.
It really helps if you paint the inside of your kit box. I used oil base paint, I know some might say that is not good for the birds, but it is working great for me and the birds don't mind it. I used the light gray color. Moisture and droppings smell don't soak into the wood grain and very easy to clean.
Jay
Last Edited by J_Star on Jan 29, 2005 7:06 PM
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BULLFROG
48 posts
Jan 29, 2005
8:59 PM
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thanks jay i understand the set up just fine. i have heard the paint is bad for the birds as i have wanted to do the same to my kit box. if it hasnt shown any negitive effects for you i may try it. chris
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