12ft By 12ft Aviary

[DanteD716]

So, maybe one male and 2 or 3 hens.

[Rayray]

thats smart .. a male and 3 femz and plenty plants and for sure you get young ones

[DanteD716]

Thanks, they sell them in m/f pairs for 20 here, but I can just ask the guy for one male, he should be ok with it. I have three ficues trees, and several large fake plants. I also want to add like a bramble pile in one coner, with just dead plants (like tumbleweed) for the quail and the ground nesting waxbills to build their nests in, I will put a guinea pig igloo on the floor for the quail to hide in, but I still need an answer to one question: Can doves (one or two pairs) live with finches??

[Ursula]

If you want buttons, you will need bedding, at least in part of the aviary. I don't think they would be happy on a hard floor or something rough like astroturf...

And I agree, if you want females too, get only 1 male. Although, ideal would be 1 pair male/female. That's how they live in the wild. (They are not bigamists like chickens. )

Sounds good about the fake plants and the hanging feeder! I have that also. I recommend, attach a bigger tray under the hanging feeder to catch the seeds, otherwise you will have most of it spilled to the floor.

I think doves are ok with finches, although I don't have experience with them.

Sounds like you're doing your homework and are on the right tracks!

By the way, a tip for perches, since you said it is a former closet room: I have natural branches stuck in flag pole holders mounted on the walls. Works like a charm! You can get those at Home Depot, these are the flag pole holders that people put next to the front door for a small flag. You can adjust the angle and stick in several smaller branches.

[DanteD716]

Okay, I will put bedding on about half the floor, no sure what yet. I love the flagpole idea!! And I think I may add a mixture pea gravel and sand in a big tray on the floor, remembering that they like to dust bathe. I think the fake trees and the big plants will be great "natural" nesting spots for the birds, I am going to draw out a floor plan. I only want a few doves, so I hope it works out well. And I also will add a tray of seed to catch the falling seed, and for the button to eat because they can't reach a feeder. I have came to a problem, the ceiling in that closet shows the heater vent, and the word work/support system, how should I cover that to make it safe? I do not see it as a danger to the birds, it just isn't pretty

[Ursula]

I think some plastic window screen duck taped over the vent should work?

[DanteD716]

It is not the actual vent opening, the vent runs through the room, it just looks ugly. I need to cover the rest of the ceiling because they can get up in the beam/support system or ontop of the vent and make nests, they wouldn't be able to get in the walls or anything, it is just ugly and I don't want them nesting up there! Am thinking maybe a big cloth, there is one in another section of the basement to hide it. Like a thin cloth, blocks there way up there?

[PrettyBird]

Looks like your doing your research
Doves...as in Diamond Doves? or Dove, Doves?

[DanteD716]

I was thinking diamonds, but I want dove doves. Big ringneck pigeon doves. Lol, I want this aviary to be different, something my little cousin.can walk through.and.won't think of them as just birds. Lol

[DanteD716]

Did I mention I want a couple canariies in there?? Red factor or yellow

[DanteD716]

Cordon bleu (ble breasted or redcheeked), swee and goldbreaysed waxbill are also on my list. It all depends on what can find and afford

[Rour]

I was thinking diamonds, but I want dove doves. Big ringneck pigeon doves. Lol, I want this aviary to be different, something my little cousin.can walk through.and.won't think of them as just birds. Lol

Wow, this sounds soo exciting! I'm nagging my husband to let me turn a walk in closet in the basement into an aviary, but to no avail lol. He agreed to build me a flight cage (the ones online are so expensive, but we are still debating the style and materials. The most important issue for me is easy maintenance and accessibility. I'm looking forward to your cage news!

[DanteD716]

thanks! I will keep this updated. And yes flights are soo expensive!! I will be spending less on this aviary. Just keep asking

[DanteD716]

New problem, what aboyt water???

[kenny66]

i will send some pics of my feeders for info