Armoire to aviary conversion looking for advice

[finchman]

Hello everyone! I just bought an armoire to convert into an aviary for my sons finches. I am looking for advice from anyone who has done this before as this is my first attempt at a project like this. What I would like to do is have a plexiglass front and 1/4 hardware cloth type mesh on the sides and top. The back would also be solid. Any ideas of what materials I could use to make the pullout tray of? I was originally thinking of using the drawer but it won't cover the bottom completely. I think a tray would work better. Any other things I should be aware of before starting? Excited to get started!

I'm having a hard time getting the pictures attached, can they not be uploaded directly from my computer?
http://daytona.craigslist.org/bab/5047379530.html

[Sally]

Oops, looks like the seller has removed the craigslist listing, so we can't see it. You should be able to upload directly from your computer. There are instructions for how to do it here:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=22710

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on housing, diet, and general finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on. Several members have made aviaries out of furniture. If you do a search, their posts might help you.

[Sally]

Here are a couple of topics:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... re&start=0

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... it=armoire

http://empressofcreativity.blogspot.com ... dents.html

[Paddington]

Hi there,
If you have any questions I would be happy to lend my (somewhat limited) expertise!

I am 3/4 through turning a computer cabinet into an a large cage, less fun then an armoire though, I have had to teach myself how to build doors amongst other things.

I have heard some people used sticky tiles for the flooring, so I am giving that a whirl, no idea how well it will work but I hear it is easy to clean. The one thing to think about is drilling holes for perches, I am not at that stage yet, but was wondering what others have done?

[finchman]

Here are the pics. I am thinking of removing the doors entirely, and putting plexiglass on the front. I'm now thinking I would like to install a cleaning tray on the shelf above the drawer, so it can be cleaned without "going in" though the side etc. I'm not sure what material to use though. Something waterproof, not too heavy but sturdy. Any ideas?

[Sally]

Does the drawer not go all the way through to the back? If it does, you could put the Plexiglas down to the drawer, so you can pull it out easily for cleaning. You will still need to have a door or two on the sides for adding food and water.

[finchman]

It does go almost all the way; but there are still small gaps where bird turds, food, etc. would slip through.

[Derk]

Paddington
Did you construct a tray drawer for cleaning? If so, was it very difficult? How did you do it? What type of mesh? hmmm, you should probably start your own thread.

[Paddington]

Here is what I have done so far, it was an old computer cabinet so I had to knock out the shelves and the back. I still have to add the wire, the door latches, handles and a lower shelf but it is coming along!

I am planning on using sticky tiles on the bottom, it might make the cleaning a little more tricky but I am giving it a shot.

[debbie276]

Paddington
Instead of sticky tiles where the water and such can get between the tiles you might want to try a piece of rolled vinyl flooring. I used that in my walk in basement flights and it worked very well, you can easily sweep it or scrub with a brush and sponge.
good luck

[Derk]

finchman@Paddington
So how did the bird cages turn out?