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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Here is a question that I have been wondering about, and have never really had clarification on because many have different points of view on it, and this hopefully will help others who may have the same thoughts:
I have had doves for years, but after the eggs have hatched, how long should it be until the cage is cleaned. I never like to disturb the upbringing process of the dovlings(new term? *smile*) but at the same time there is a health issue involved with not cleaning the base or any other part of the aviary itself. About how long until a person should be able to reach in and take out the old, and put in the new? My concern is that waiting too long brings out critters, and is just an unsanitary area for any living animal to be in. At the same time, any disturbance too early can change the habitat too dramatically, and cause a possible change in behavior of the new doves. What is your opinion? |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
My process is to wait until the babies have feathers under their wings. Then everything is open to change.
Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
I agree with Bob. I typically don't handle my new birds for about 6 or 7 weeks and then just a little bit. The condition of the cage isn't that big of an issue in such a short time. My cages have removeable slide bottoms so it's easy to dispose of the waste right from day one without touching the little ones. Once they are on their own, I thoroughly clean everything with hot water and bleach.
Where the magic begins
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1906Alpha1906 Special user North Cacky Lack 516 Posts |
Thanks for the answers! I knew I could count on both of you to answer that one. I , personally would wait until they were eating on their own before I would do anything, but it seems that since I have moved the location of my doves, there is more open to flies and their larva, and for some reason, the ants this year are terrible and have found the seeds that the doves have thrown (aren't doves the most pleasant eaters - NOT *haha*) around, and have trailed their way to the main cage. I have sprayed the area at the ground to keep them off, but I worry about larva possibly infecting the doves. The particular set of doves I am worried about built their nest on the floor rather than up, so in turn, the newbies are on the floor of the aviary, and I worry about the critters that I can't see. I am really anxious to clean it out, but I know I may disturb something so I am at a loss of what to do. I am thinking I can clean "around" everything, but at the same time, the little ones are walking around chasing after Mom and Pops everytime they think its time to eat. Guess I will just wait it out standing close by with a shovel. *smile*
Thanks! |
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
If the little ones are walking around, I'd go ahead and change the nest material. I'm not sure what you use but I have nesting material in a small bowl. It won't hurt anything to change it. That should eliminate the larva problem.
Where the magic begins
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