Coconut Oil & Vinegar

I've been reading posts about cleaning cages with vinegar and also about applying coconut oil to the bottom grate to help with cleanup, and I have a couple of questions. For the vinegar I read you can use it straight or dilute it. If you are using it straight is anything to worry about with the strong smell? Do I need to keep the birds away until the smell dissipates? If I dilute it is there a specific concentration that still provides useful benefits without the harsh smell?
For the coconut oil, is ok to use the solid form, or should I have the liquid? i read the solid is actually better because it is true coconut oil, verses the liquid loses some of the benefits in that form - any thoughts? And if you use the solid form on the bottom grate, I know the oil is not harmful if it is ingested, but if they are on the bottom of the cage playing (I have Caiques so this normal for them), do I have to be concerned with it getting on their feathers at all?
Thank you for any input on these!

I clean with a mixture of water, vinegar, and a tiny but of lemon juice.

I'd keep the birds away until the vinegar smell is gone if you use it full strength.

As for the coconut oil, even though it's not harmful, it will stick to the feathers of your Caiques if they roll around on the grates.

IMO, getting coconut oil will be much better of ingested to improve their feathers (i.e. nourishment inside out) because if coconut oil is slathered in the cage, chances are, it would attract others insects and also cause your pet to chew/pluck on their feathers.. I found a good feed of sesame seeds + coconut oil I'm trying for my Vivi (like this)

beakofelegance said:

IMO, getting coconut oil will be much better of ingested to improve their feathers (i.e. nourishment inside out) because if coconut oil is slathered in the cage, chances are, it would attract others insects and also cause your pet to chew/pluck on their feathers.. I found a good feed of sesame seeds + coconut oil I'm trying for my Vivi (like this)

Click to expand...

There are MUCH cheaper brands available if you want to feed it to your fids.

JerseyWendy said:

beakofelegance said:

IMO, getting coconut oil will be much better of ingested to improve their feathers (i.e. nourishment inside out) because if coconut oil is slathered in the cage, chances are, it would attract others insects and also cause your pet to chew/pluck on their feathers.. I found a good feed of sesame seeds + coconut oil I'm trying for my Vivi (like this)

Click to expand...

There are MUCH cheaper brands available if you want to feed it to your fids.

Click to expand...

please suggest some. thanks. i think it was good price tho..

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Viva-Labs-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B00DS842HS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432565763&sr=8-1&keywords=organic+coconut+oil"]Amazon.com : Viva Labs Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce : Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Organic-Coconut-32-Ounce/dp/B003OGKCDC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432565763&sr=8-2&keywords=organic+coconut+oil]Amazon.com : Nature's Way Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, 32-Ounce : Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Coconut-Pressed-Unrefined-Non-GMO/dp/B00IB1S6D8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1432565763&sr=8-5&keywords=organic+coconut+oil"]Amazon.com: Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed, Unrefined, Non-GMO - 16 ounce (1 lb.) Use for Cooking, Hair and Skin - Hexane-Free Extraction and Fair-Trade Certified: Health & Personal Care[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Naturals-Organic-Coconut-liquid/dp/B00014D37W/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1432565763&sr=8-14&keywords=organic+coconut+oil]Amazon.com : Spectrum Naturals - Organic Coconut Oil, 14 oz liquid : Coconut Oil Spectrum : Grocery & Gourmet Food[/ame]

beakofelegance said:

IMO, getting coconut oil will be much better of ingested to improve their feathers (i.e. nourishment inside out) because if coconut oil is slathered in the cage, chances are, it would attract others insects and also cause your pet to chew/pluck on their feathers.. I found a good feed of sesame seeds + coconut oil I'm trying for my Vivi (like this)

Click to expand...

I forgot to mention that your particular link is to an 'organic health bar' (for people), which contains sea salt. Salt should not be fed to parrots as they are unable to flush it through their tiny system.

Ingredients

Organic Dates, Organic Toasted Coconut, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Apples, Sea Salt, Organic Ginger, Organic Rosemary Extract. ALLERGEN STATEMENT: Contains coconut. May contain traces of other tree nuts.

from here: Clif Bar - Kit's Organic - Fruit + Seed

Coconut Oil has started appearing in my pantry about 2 years ago. My son swears by it. He conditions his hair with it, he uses it in his coffee instead of milk (yuckkkk), he feeds small dollops to the dogs, uses it to cook, and doesn't seem to run out of uses for it. The same goes for me and cleaning with vinegar (but I don't condition my hair with it, nor do I use it in my coffee, hahahaha).

Also it's pretty easy to make a sweet potato, pumpkin, sesame, etc bread made with coconut oil and nothing harmful. Cheaper too!