Feeders and Water Bowls

I have tried so many different styles of feed/water dish. There are the clip on type that hooks to the wire and the bowl slips inside. They seem to work ok and I still use them for the Cockatiels water. Cockatiels don't seem to be as mischevious as the others and will leave their water alone, other than for a drink. Eclectus, Quakers and Conures will just flip them out for no good reason other than because they can. I came home to many a thirsty bird before I decided to go for something a little sturdier. For my Conures and Quakers, I use a large stainless steel dish filled with water. The extra weight stops the birds from lifting it and they can also have a bath if they like. The Eclectus are strong enough to flip even the largest of stainless bowls, especially if there is any kind of lip on the bowl for them to get a hold of. The Eclectus get large porcelain bowls, the kind that you feed your dog out of. They can't flip them, that's for sure. Although one male eccy realised he could slide it off the edge of the wire base in his suspended, and smash it to pieces on the concrete below! After that episode, I now have large natural gum branches, heavily wired to all edges that drop to the concrete. 

               

After trying various feeders that allow rear access, I came across a design that I feel beats the rest hands down. Originally designed the late, Kevin Thompson. These are mostly aluminium construction with super hard nylon/plastic corner fittings. They use stainless steel Baine Marie style dishes and come in various shapes and sizes. I cheaply purchased a box of extra dishes and can simply slip a clean one in, as I remove a soiled one.