Questions that come along with Building an Aviary

[kimnfinches]

I have decided to start a page on my aviary because I keep having little questions pop up while building. So my question right now is, is the coconut fiber in the hanging pots at Lowes safe to use to help cover a wall in the aviary, or do they treat it with unsafe chemicals? I just thought of another question, does any where online sell the finch cage wiring? or can you only order parrot wiring? Thanks for any advice!

[Sally]

I can't answer your question about the coco fiber basket liner material, as I've never used it, but since you are in CA, you might want to look at the Wingz catalog put out by KW Cages. They sell 1/2x1/2 wire by the roll, or you can order premade panels and/or doors. The catalog prices are out of date, but if you put something in your shopping cart, it will reflect the current price.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

[kimnfinches]

Hey Sally, thanks for that website it will be very useful, it seems they have a lot of good stuff! Has anyone ever used the hanging pot coconut fiber for their finches before, I thought I saw someone use it before?

[lou]

I use it, I just screw it to the aviary wall
lou

[cindy]

You do need to be very careful with it, since it is woven together and matted they can get caught up in it. I took the liners and cut them up to let them pull apart, on bird started to pull it apart and got his nails caught in it. It will also collect dust/dander and droppings if you use it on the walls.

[Nerien]

Also check it for smell, first. I buy coconut matting off the roll for my degu cage, as well as use the pot liners to make them a hut. Every now and then I have found that some of it smells like pesticide (bug spray). Don't know if it was actually treated with pesticide, or just carelessly stored (by the store) with the chemicals, but I always smell it carefully before buying any. It should just smell like musty-dusty coconut shell, not anything else.

[Nerien]

Another idea for the walls, tho probably more expensive, is to go to the reptile section of a pet store, the petland discounts near us has sheets of tree bark that look really nice. The front is a thin layer of a low-texture tree bark, the backing is cork (like corkboard covering), so it's not too thick and not too heavy.

[kimnfinches]

Hey thanks everyone, you are giving me some great feedback! Maybe a natural looking wall with some vines from Michael's would be safer (and less maintenance.) When birds are in aviaries do they prefer to build their own nest or have the basket/box nest? Thanks for all the advice! It helps a lot.

[kimnfinches]

Hey Nerien, is that reptile bark easy to keep clean or does it hold on to poo? Thanks!

[Nerien]

I haven't actually tried it yet, just keep eyeing it, along with all kinds of other things they have there. Was actually wanting it for my degu cage, but as they will likely chew it to bits, eventually, and the corkboard backing has unknown glue/resin in it, it was probably not a good idea for destruction-obsessed rodents. For finches, since the front is natural bark, it should be fine. But I don't know how it cleans up. Any reptile-keepers here who know?

[debbie276]

When birds are in aviaries do they prefer to build their own nest or have the basket/box nest?

My gouldians prefer a deep wooden box with a hole entrance so they can keep intruders out easier.
My owl make their own in branch bundles that I hang.

[kimnfinches]

Thanks for replying everyone! I tried going through reviews about the reptile bark but being a big brand thing all the reviews were only about how cool it looks. I think I will just put the nest in the aviary and leave room in some vines for the birds to choose their own nest or ''premade'' baskets. I have a feeling my singer pair will make their own nest. That would be so cool to see! A natural nest in a natural like aviary! I cant wait to finish my aviary. we picked up the plexiglass the other day so after we get that in, will be the floor, then the back wall, then molding, finally start adding the insides!