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Post by Loz on Jun 7, 2023 13:16:54 GMT
My thoughts are once again turning to the idea of a water fountain for the birbs. Pros: Fresher water than the bath and water bowls currently in use Might encourage the little grubbies to actually bathe occasionally (only Chocobo does this to any extent) Could be fun! Cons: I don't think I can use additives with the fountain (ACV, Zolcal F, AviPro, iodine, milk thistle) so some of the birds who use the fountain will miss out on needed supplements Could be a waste of money! Thoughts, everyone? Ira, I know you use one and your flock likes it. Marianne Marlow, I know your flock gave it a thumbs-down I cannot get my head around the supplements issue so it's possible that the fountain will return to the back of my mind. It's possible that, should more budgies be added to the Flock, they may bring a love of bathing with them, which will nudge the rest into the habit, without me resorting to a fountain. |
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator 
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,765 
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 7, 2023 14:46:15 GMT
Can you elaborate on what you mean by fountain?
Is it one of those water drinkers that is long, clear plastic with a coloured spout.
Or
an actual fountain that draws water up and it flows?
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Post by Loz on Jun 7, 2023 15:01:13 GMT
Can you elaborate on what you mean by fountain? Is it one of those water drinkers that is long, clear plastic with a coloured spout. Or an actual fountain that draws water up and it flows? The latter. |
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Post by Loz on Jun 7, 2023 15:08:55 GMT
For the avoidance of doubt:  |
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 7, 2023 16:21:36 GMT
Oh right. We had a cat drinker bowl, but the budgies were scared of it. To be fair it was quite noisy.
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Post by Ira on Jun 7, 2023 17:00:35 GMT
Ooh, that's a nice looking one!
You can add supplements, although I wouldn't recommend calcium for the health of the pump, but you need to up the amount to the volume of water, so you'd be using a lot.
Alternatively, you offer only the usual drinker of water very first thing and give them chance to have had a drink with their supplements first, and then put out the fountain.
Like everything new, they just need time to get used to seeing it.
My lot will check it for water even if it isn't running, and follow me about as I go to fill it.
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Post by Loz on Jun 7, 2023 17:09:26 GMT
Thanks Ira, food for thought! |
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Post by Ira on Jun 7, 2023 18:15:34 GMT
Also, same as with water bowls, it needs washing daily.
My lot get all sorts in it.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 7, 2023 22:14:43 GMT
Feathers, seed husks and droppings are the main things that get in the water here! But yes, even with none of that in, I wash the bowls daily. I have noticed that milk thistle leaves a slimy film at the bottom of the bowls. Also, same as with water bowls, it needs washing daily. My lot get all sorts in it. |
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Post by lemonora on Jun 8, 2023 6:30:09 GMT
I’ve been using the flower fountain for years (it’s actually for cats to drink) and they absolutely love it and yes it must be cleaned after every use, the do sometimes drink from it but my Elsa loves to shower in it so much The other (sink looking one) I just bought and they’re still afraid of it but I let them see it around for a while and hopefully they’ll get use to it soon, But I honestly totally recommend the flower fountain because of the joy it brings them   |
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,765
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 8, 2023 6:52:33 GMT
The flower one does look fun  |
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Post by lemonora on Jun 8, 2023 8:53:31 GMT
The flower one does look fun It really is they love it 👍❤️🐥 the flower fountain works with a USB cable and the sink works with normal batteries |
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Post by starrymist on Jun 12, 2023 15:58:32 GMT
I have the flower type (looks a little different to the pic above) & Sunny loves it!
I’ve never had the other type that uses batteries but I’ve heard they eat through the batteries incredibly quickly so it’s an added cost.
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Post by Loz on Jun 12, 2023 16:16:27 GMT
I'm leaning towards the flower type myself now - nothig better than a trustworthy recommendation or two!
However I need to get my head around the supplements issue. I cannot think of a way of ensuring the buds all drink their fill of supplemented water and only use the fountain for playtime. There are flock members where I need to know they are getting MT and in Chocobo's case, Zolcal when she's being all eggy.
Bit of a show-stopper, if I'm honest.
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Post by Ira on Jun 12, 2023 17:51:03 GMT
You could, perhaps, only put it out in the afternoon, for a short period of time? Like a designated bathing opportunity.
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