Aviary Size

[tovis]

We are planning on making an aviary that is 3ft (wide) x 8ft (length) x 6 ft (tall). is that big enough for gouldians, orange cheeks, and zebras to get along without getting territorial and attacking one another?

[managermania]

It's a great size. I think it would just depend on the dispositions of the zebras. Are they with other birds currently?

[dan78]

Its a good size for starters, how many of each would be placed in there. Zebs can be buggers for annoying everybody and can be aggressive. Gouldians can also be aggressive during breeding season. Don't know much about Orange cheeks only what I have read and it stated that they are good in a mixed collection. The main concern is not to over populate the aviery.

[kenny66]

I stopped having zebras in mixed aviaries because of the compatability issues and I personally would never put them with any waxbills. However there are many different experiences with zebras. The aviary is a good size fo orange cheeks and and gouldians. I get over gouldian aggression by using stress perches and screening line of sight causing a defenite optical barrier so that the cock birds particularly cannot stare at each other. Having said that though, I have about 40 in a colony with very little agression. Have you thought of fire finches, stars or emblemas. All are pretty well non problematic in my experience.( maybe leave out the emblemas, I hear they are very expensive in the us.)

[tovis]

Might be a good idea to leave the zebras out, they seem a bit aggressive. I think the Orange Cheeks and Gouldians will get along. I'll only have 1 pair of Orange Cheeks and mainly want to focus on Gouldians. About how many gouldian pairs do you think I could put into an aviary this size?

[kenny66]

yep, no problems wit OC and Gouldians together usually. I had a similar setup (size wise) for 2 pair of orange breasted waxbills and 3 pr gouldians, all of which bread very well-so much so I was continually removing young once they weaned. The Gouldians produced a total of
14 young in one season. The orange breasted, 10, so it is easy to get overcrowded. I had the nests, all facing out for the Gouldians on a shelf running longways 18" from the top-worked very well. I put dried brush screens in between the boxes. I hung 4 wicker baskets for the OBWB and 2 cocoanuts hollowed out. They used both.