Galvanized?

[Flamingradio]

I keep hearing how not to use galvanized wire because it has zinc and zinc kills (of course) but then I hear that if you soak it/scrub it/do whatever to it it gets rid of only the LOOSE pieces of zinc, and then that's ok if the birds get ahold of it.

Any help here? Has someone built their own cage and NOT killed their birds with zinc (haha) 'cuz I'll do what you did because obviously, it worked!

[atvchick95]

Even know it's been said many times using apple cider vinegar and water to wash the zinc of galvanized wire, I still refuse to use it , I'd be afraid of it not getting it all off, it's not something you can see (that i know of)

So i just stay clear of it all together and you can buy non galvanized wire

[Flamingradio]

Where do you buy non galvanized wire? Not in any of the hardware stores around here...

[atvchick95]

I've seen it at lowes

[Flamingradio]

Really? I'll have to go look.

[Kate C]

If you want to build an aviary you don't really have any other choice but galvanized wire. Only other choice is stainless steel wire and that is very very expensive. Last time I had a price on that was about 9 or 10 years ago and it was $60 AUS per metre and is very hard to get.

All my aviaries and some of my carry cages are made of galvanized wire. I just scrubbed them with white vinegar and water with a stiff brush. Dilution rate is 10% to 20% vinegar. Too much vinegar doesn't work and not enough doesn't work. I have not had a problem with any of my birds with treated galvanized wire and I have been using galvanized wire for over 30 years. The other way to treat the wire is to let it 'Weather', basically leave it exposed to the elements for around 3 months. Unfortunately this is usually not practical. Mainly the idea is to get any loose pieces of zinc off the wire.

[Flamingradio]

Kate C, what kind of birds do you have in your homemade aviaries? Do they climb around on the wire, like birds do in a regular, smaller cage?

[ronsig]

I just found this on google:rolleyes:
According to this article, you cannot neutralize zinc:(

http://www.chopperstoys.com/CatalogArticlesVinegar.html

Sigrid

[atvchick95]

I just found this on google:rolleyes:
According to this article, you cannot neutralize zinc:(

http://www.chopperstoys.com/CatalogArticlesVinegar.html

Sigrid



#2 Most common hardware (nuts, bolts, chain, washers, quick links) are either galvanized or zinc plated.
Galvanized products are dull, plated products are shinny.
The same issues apply to these as the wire above. Washing will not, does not, neutralize the zinc.

This is why I only use items that are stainless steel

and why i only but non galvanized metal if I have to other wise I just buy cages that are Bird safe ,


I don't even want to use Galvanized wire for our pigeons and it's fine for them because they don't climb around the cages like parrots do

[Kate C]

Flamingradio all my birds are parrots and they all climb. I have budgies, Alexandrines, Galah's, Cockatiels, Lorikeets. All the lorikeets are in suspended aviaries that are 4ft long and 2ft square that I have made myself and lorikeets do nothing but climb, each suspended has a pair of Lorikeets in it. I have 5 normal aviaries with concrete floors and 10 suspended aviaries. I have never had a problem with heavy metal poisoning with any of my birds. But I have treated all my aviaries with vinegar and a stiff brush. The main thing you have to do is to remove any loose bits of metal. A vinegar solution will neutralize the galvanizing and help remove any loose bits of metal.

In a recent discussion with my avian vet he told me that birds can get metal poisoning without having access to metal at all. That it can leach out of the ground into the water table and contaminate the birds that way.

In Australia every bird breeder uses galvanized wire for their aviaries and very few ever have a problem especially if they have treated the wire before introducing the birds. My father had birds when I was a kid of under 5 and I am 57 this year and he never had a problem.

Birds are more likely to get metal poisoning from toys they play with. I have had a stainless steel bell in with one of my cockatoos and the stainless started breaking away from it. I promptly threw it out. One of the worst things for them is junk jewelery given to them to play with.

Budgie show breeders have been using galvanized wire for their flights for over 60 years without any problem. Even the cage fronts used on the breeding cabinets are made from galvanized wire. The powder coated cages we use now have only been around in this country for just over 20 years and all pet cages were made out of galvanized wire. They still are but they then get powder coated.

[Flamingradio]

Well that's pretty convincing... its just I worry, ya know? Then that website someone posted earlier said the vinegar doesn't neutralize the galvanization... I don't understand how there can be such a difference of opinion on something that seems like it should have a set in stone answer.

:S:S:S:S:S

[atvchick95]

Well that's pretty convincing... its just I worry, ya know? Then that website someone posted earlier said the vinegar doesn't neutralize the galvanization... I don't understand how there can be such a difference of opinion on something that seems like it should have a set in stone answer.

:S:S:S:S:S


I have a saying about when in doubt - but since this is a family friendly site I'll keep it to my self LOL it's not that it's bad, but it does have a cuss word lol

But one rule of thumb is if you question it then don't use it

So since I just don't trust it I prefer not to use galvanized wire.

[vidiae]

Has anyone used something like Polyethylene knotted netting or anything similiar?

[atvchick95]

Has anyone used something like Polyethylene knotted netting or anything similiar?


are you talking about Wire mesh??

Everything I've read on wire mesh is the metal under the mesh covering is galvanized metal

[vidiae]

I was talking about a strong string substance. It doesn't fray, wear easily, or even run if a piece does come off. Nature centers often use it, to keep birds in or out of an area.