So I've been planing my mews out and I ran into a bit of a problem. You see, my mew will be raised about 1' above the ground. The floor will be made of 2x4 slats, and I'm trying to figure out what to put on top of that, if anything. I would like to find something that would allow water to go though the slats for good drainage. I was thinking about that rubber pressure pad stuff with the holes in it, but to do the whole mew like that wouldn't be cheap. My dad suggested painting the 2x4s with a non-slip coating, but I don't know how good that would be for hawk feet. Or maybe I should just leave the slats bare? I short on ideas here, could you help me out?
I would be real careful with the size of gap between the slats. As time goes by the small gaps will increase to large ones as the wood drys. This would be bad for your hawk to get it's foot or toe caught in. I would either use an astro turf covering or pea gravel.
I will probably do the interlocking mats. Its cheaper than astro and still provides a good surface. The only inconvenience is that I would need to take the mats out of the mew to clean them, but that's not a big deal.
You can do that while you have the bird in the weathering. I've been told that you get sharp talons from the matting. Dunno if it is true or not, but that's what I've been told.
I will probably do the interlocking mats. Its cheaper than astro and still provides a good surface.
I recommend that you check into grass carpet (non-loop with stiff backing). It's washable in place (don't have to drag it out), drains very well, dries fast, and it's not expensive.
why are you raising the floor to begin with, i am worried about the wood rotting, and what gets built up under the floor and starts smelling.
I'm sorry, I should have explained that. It's raised because the only part of the yard that my Dad will let me build on is directly over a dry well (basically a 7 foot covered drainage pit) and I can't poor concrete over it. I'm not too worried about rot for two reasons, 1: The support posts will be set in cement and all the wood will be sealed, 2: The climate down here is so dry that the only kind of rotting that would be a concern is dry rot and that's only for exposed wood.
Another bad thing about this part of the yard is that it is covered in two feet of wood chips. Now, the dry well was placed at the lowest part of the yard (for obvious reasons) and so water actually flows though the wood chips. As you can imagine this promotes the growth of who-knows-what kind of stuff. Actually, I've seen fungal growth in them . So, needless to say, the wood chips need to go. The question is, what to replace them with? I've been talking with both my parents and we all agree that shredded rubber would be the best option, but its just not cheap. We would do gravel, but this area doubles as a play area for my younger sibling and down here is AZ, gravel gets really hot really quick.
Sorry for splurging my landscaping sorrows on you all, but I thought it best to explain the entire situation.
Absolutely the wood chips need to go, glad you realize that. I don't know about the rubber stuff under the floor, maybe someone else can comment on that. If it were me I would put pea gravel under the floor. It won't be a play area directly under the mews . Now as far as the drainage pit, not sure what that is, but will there be anything drained into it while the mews is over it and if so what? Do you have a sponsor yet? and if so have you discussed all this with him/her. Just sounds like some health issues to me. I may just not understand what you are saying. Pictures would be great.
Last Edit: Aug 22, 2008 9:41:32 GMT -5 by kenbro77
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
build on is directly over a dry well (basically a 7 foot covered drainage pit)... covered in two feet of wood chips.... so water actually flows though the wood chips.... I've seen fungal growth in them . ....the wood chips need to go.
The WATER needs to go elsewhere. A run-off/sump pump water collection/holding pit (dry well) under the mews is not acceptable.
The question is, what to replace them with? ...shredded rubber.... gravel,...
It doesn't matter what material, because the WATER will still be collecting and stored underneath the mews. You can attempt to cover/hide it for the inspection, but you know the water is still there presenting a health hazard for your bird. You've already mentioned fungus on the wood chips which are exposed to sun. Imagine the mold proliferation in the shade under the mews, regardless of material covering the well.
but this area doubles as a play area for my younger sibling ...
If your mews will be built there, how can your sibling still play there? And would you want him/her and friends to play around your mews, disturbing your bird??
I agree with Kenbro... consult with your sponsor, and seriously rethink the location.
Ok! Thanks for the info, will do! I knew it was a problem, I just didn't know it would be that bad. I am absolutely going to have a sit down with my parents about the location. Hopefully I can get my dad to realize what a big deal this is.
Ok! Thanks for the info, will do! I knew it was a problem, I just didn't know it would be that bad. I am absolutely going to have a sit down with my parents about the location. Hopefully I can get my dad to realize what a big deal this is.
Do you have a sponsor yet?
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Yes. I haven't been able to get a hold of him lately (he apparently doesn't listen to his messages), but I'm not giving up. I called last Monday and he still hasn't called back. I'll try again tonight.