They are afraid of the covered portion

[Sasha2]

Okay so I talked to a tiel breeder here that kept her birds outdoors year around and she helped me get my birds in the aviary.They have been in it for 2 days with no panic attacks or over heating.In fact I know they are much happier, especially the doves, the male is already courting the female.
The weather has been hot but not as humid because of the breeze.Its not been that bad really and Ive not let anyone go out on the front porch except me to feed and water them.

BUT they only stay on the open half of the flight.They will not go over to the covered side.The doves will sidle over when they are pecking about on the ground but no one will roost on that side.Now we are supposed to get a storm tonight.I took out a swinging perch and a scary looking feeder I thought maybe that would help but they still wont go over on that half.

The open half has real branches from trees hanging from the wire.The covered half has dowels because I had to drill them into the back wall..I think its the piece of wood that acts as a windblock that I put up they dont like.Should I take it down? Not sure if I can without risking a bird getting out.

[dan78]

Sasha the piece of wood you are using as a wind block is a great idea and I have used this method in some of my avieries depending on what birds were in there. Personally i wouldn't recommend taking it down because 1- it will help reduce cold winds blowing on them and 2- you may risk losing a bird or two ( only by your statement). It will take time for them to get used to their new environment, maybe if you could get some tree branches or some Bush in the covered area it may well entice them to go back there, birds love Bush to hide in. I'm glad to hear that they are doing well in the new aviery you built them and glad to hear that the heat hasn't bothered them one bit.

[Lisa]

Sasha, I was just thinking, if it's been warm with a breeze but only in the open side, that may be why they are favoring that side.

Once a storm kicks in and wind or rain becomes a problem, hopefully they will experiment with the closed side and discover that's more to their liking in that circumstance.