Cage smells - any tips?

[lorika]

Hi there,

My lorikeets cage was cleaned today and it already smells of bird poop when you come nearby. I have a studio apartment so I kinda live in it. I don't mind it so much myself, but I'd hate for guests to be bothered by the smell.

Can I remove some of the smell in some way? I read something about white vinegar and baking soda...?

And is there any way to scent the air in the room without using sprays, candles or other harmful things? I heard of some people putting organic oils on diffusers. Would that be okay?

Thanks a lot

I use corbo for cage liner by the way.

 

[Ann333]

I use vinegar to clean all my pet supplies and it gets rid of smell really well.

 

[Mimsy01]

I think I'm immune, or lorikeets smell stronger. But I don't smell bird poo. I can smell the bird if I stick my nose in her feathers. (mmm smells like chicken)

I use vinegar to clean the cage and all the stuff in it.

Safe things I can think of-hepa air filter, charcoal bags hung somewhere near the cage, baking soda box near the cage.

 

[RavensGryf]

You shouldn't be smelling parrot poop, especially if you clean regularly. If there is an odor and you're sure it's from the poop, that could indicate a bacterial infection that needs to be addressed.

 

[ToMang07]

You shouldn't be smelling parrot poop, especially if you clean regularly. If there is an odor and you're sure it's from the poop, that could indicate a bacterial infection that needs to be addressed.

And here I was thinking my bird was special.

Thanks. :31:

 

[Kyoto]

My bird doesn't smell at all… but I do clean her liner every day, and scrub the cage grate whenever there are unwanted turds stuck to it. I can't stand the thought of her having to walk around on her own poo, she hates pooping in her cage as is

 

[SilverSage]

I was under the impression that lorikeets, due to their liquid diet, had exceptionally wet poops that had a slight odor? I would think if it actually STINKS that is a problem of course. I would take the bird to the vet to rule out an infection, and take a sample of poop in for smelling. I'm dead serious. I'm not familiar with what you are using for cage liner, I find that newspaper or paper towels seem to let the poo dry the fastest and newspaper is free, so that's what I use except during quarantine when I use the paper towels so I can get an extra special look at the poop.

 

[lorika]

Loki's poop doesn't really stink horribly (except for once when he had some sort of diarrhea, but that was gonna the next minute so I didn't think too much of it), but it does have a bird odour.

I'm taking him to the vet soon anyway, so I'll be sure to address this too. Thanks for all the tips guys.

 

[Birdman666]

Steam clean the cage.

Wagner 915 On-Demand Power Steamer-0282014 - The Home Depot

 

[Kiwibird]

My birds cage never smells bad. Regular cleaning with the steam cleaner and removal of fresh foods after he is finished eating.

"Corbo" sounds like some kind of bedding (?), and since bird poop does not smell, I suspect the bedding is the source of the odor. Try using newspaper (change daily or every other day) and see if that helps.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Steam clean the cage.

Wagner 915 On-Demand Power Steamer-0282014 - The Home Depot

I really need to get one of these

 

[lorika]

Thank you, Kiwibird! Is newspaper lining appropriate for lorikeets, too? I use newspapers for the bottom, then corbo to absorb the water (lorikeet droppings are really watery) and there's a grate over that where he can stand on. But maybe just the newspaper and the grate would do it?

 

[Birdman666]

Thank you, Kiwibird! Is newspaper lining appropriate for lorikeets, too? I use newspapers for the bottom, then corbo to absorb the water (lorikeet droppings are really watery) and there's a grate over that where he can stand on. But maybe just the newspaper and the grate would do it?

Line paper towels under the newspaper. Then put the newspaper over it. It's cheaper, and just as absorbent, if not more so.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thank you, Kiwibird! Is newspaper lining appropriate for lorikeets, too? I use newspapers for the bottom, then corbo to absorb the water (lorikeet droppings are really watery) and there's a grate over that where he can stand on. But maybe just the newspaper and the grate would do it?

I see no reason why newspaper would hurt them, but if they have liquid poops, you may want to try a different method because it might corrode the cage bottom (hopefully other lorikeet owners will weigh in on this???)

Do you know how to sew (or anyone who can?). If so, these are SUPER easy to make and the best cage liner I have ever used. I personally have to use washable cloth cage liners because Kiwi takes daily dish baths and I need something absorbent because newspaper didn't work (rusted the bottom of his cage within a couple years). I use ripstop nylon on the bottom (which is waterproof and keeps it from seeping through), a layer of batting in the center and flannel on top. I've been using them for over a year now, change them every other day, scrape/shake them off outside (to get off the big chunks), spray bacout on any stains (where the poop was) and wash them in their own load every week. They work wonderfully and I have had no issues with smell or rust/corrosion of the tray of his new cage.

This is how it's layered:

How they look finished (the one with the "hole" is for his play tree):

This was in his old cage, but they go on the bottom just like newspaper

This is the material (for the absorbent layer) you might want to try for a liquid pooper. It's made for cloth baby diapers and is highly absorbent/designed to be soaked with poop/made to be easily washed:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Zorb-Super-Absorbent-Fabric-Made/dp/B00OBW4O2S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438785440&sr=8-2&keywords=zorb"]Amazon.com: Zorb Super Absorbent Fabric (Made in USA, sold by the yard) (30" wide)[/ame]

Ripstop nylon and flannel can both be found at any fabric store.

This stuff can be found at most "natural" stores, but it's cheaper online:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/BioKleen-Bac-Out-Stain-Odor-Eliminator/dp/B0061VZQWO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438785621&sr=8-2&keywords=bacout"]Amazon.com: BioKleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator 1 US Gal: Health & Personal Care[/ame]

As long as you spray the liners with it after you clean off the "big chunks" it prevents stain and smells from forming before you wash them, again another product people use on cloth diapers, so it is 10X as effective on low-no odor parrot poo.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Steam clean the cage.

Wagner 915 On-Demand Power Steamer-0282014 - The Home Depot

I really need to get one of these

Just bought one Amazon $74.98

 

[Kiwibird]

Steam clean the cage.

Wagner 915 On-Demand Power Steamer-0282014 - The Home Depot

I really need to get one of these

Just bought one Amazon $74.98

Your life just got SO much easier! Steam cleaners are a miracle product, not just for bird cleaning, but whole house cleaning.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I really need to get one of these

Just bought one Amazon $74.98

Your life just got SO much easier! Steam cleaners are a miracle product, not just for bird cleaning, but whole house cleaning.

That is what i was just reading. Even did 2 day so I will get it Friday LOL

 

[Birdman666]

YEAH.

I don't even know how I got by before steam cleaners came along, especially in the winter time...

CUTS THE WORKLOAD TO A FRACTION OF THE TIME.

Zap it, wipe it down.

CLEAN! Poop literally melts away, and there's no chemicals. Just water. So no risk of any kind to the bird... (Except, obviously, burns if you don't get him out of there when you're cleaning it... but that would be such a monumentally stupid thing that even a Troglodite would say MMM STEAM HOT.... MAKE OWWWIE! NOT SAFE... )

 

[Christinenc2000]

I've been reading about it. Reviews are great. Any tips or tricks to it ?

 

[Birdman666]

I've been reading about it. Reviews are great. Any tips or tricks to it ?

Well, it comes with a little measuring cup. You don't want to overfill the tank.

Other than that, it's just point and shoot. Let it sit for a second, and wipe with a cleaning towel, or a paper towel. (I use cleaning towels myself.)