Birds and wire

[birdinthehand]

Is it correct that galvanised wire should be brushed down with vinegar before letting birds in? anyone?

[Azalea]

Mar 12, 2024 13:51:36 GMT birdinthehand said:

Is it correct that galvanised wire should be brushed down with vinegar before letting birds in? anyone?

I usually read that galvanized is always dangerous because the birds might want to chew on it. Most owners say to avoid it altogether. I know stainless steel is safe. 

Here is a page with more information: birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/safe-metals-for-parrots

(Bird Tricks is also on YouTube)

[birdinthehand]

Oh dear just built my aviary and it is galvanised wire, came from a aviary company???

[Loz]

Mar 12, 2024 16:00:23 GMT birdinthehand said:

Oh dear just built my aviary and it is galvanised wire, came from a aviary company???

It really needs to be stainless steel mesh for your birds

I don't know why you would have been sold galvanised mesh for your project.

[skysmum]

Mar 12, 2024 13:51:36 GMT birdinthehand said:

Is it correct that galvanised wire should be brushed down with vinegar before letting birds in? anyone?

Most aviary's are built with galvanised mesh birdinthehand , as long as you give it a good rub down with vinegar you will remove the galvanised coating, this is what i did with mine and i never had a problem.

[Hezz]

birdinthehand, I totally agree with skysmum. Galvanised wire does need to be treated before putting your birds in - a scrub down with a dilute vinegar solution is what is required but do make a note in your diary to repeat this every six-twelve months as the zinc coating will start to build up again with time. You would have to be made of money to be able to afford a decent sized aviary made from stainless steel mesh. I’ve seen my fair share of aviaries and never seen one yet that hasn’t been a commercial enterprise. Also if you place enough perches around your aviary, especially around the sides, close-ish to the wire, the birds will spend less time hanging onto the wire with their beak.

So don’t freak out, you haven’t done the wrong thing, and with due care and attention your birds will love their new outside space.

[birdinthehand]

Oh thanks for that was just having kittens, I have had parrots in aviaries before and always used galvanised wire without any issue. I took a look at other commercial Aviary companies and they ALL use Galvanised wire? I will be rinsing down with vinegar solution as suggested

[Loz]

My apologies. I once used stainless steel mesh for an indoor aviary as it wasn't practical to use galvanised.
I conflated my indoor aviary issues with your outdoor ones - sorry for any alarm I caused!
And yes, s/s mesh is frighteningly expensive!