Aviary debate

[Ursula]

I agree with Donna, think of the cleaning.
I also turned a sunroom into an aviary. It's 11 by 11 feet. Relatively small compared to Donna's (wgich I had the privilege to visit! ) but it IS a lot of work. And there IS poop everywhere. Of course the amount depends on the number and species of bird you put in.
You will have to think about and consider what you want to do with that room. If it's dedicated to birds only, by all means let them loose. If you want to use the room yourself for sitting and relaxing and allowing your parrot or other pets to sit with you: go with sectioning off a part of it. That would be my dream also.
It is wonderful to have an aviary of that size but sometimes I think it's work only and I don't have enough time to enjoy it. I work full time and don't have much time fo cleaning during the week, so evey weekend there is at least some amount of cleaning to do..

[h2olilee]

UPDATE:
Well, the house is taking FOREVER to build , but here is a picture of the sunroom space and the corner I'm planning on caging off for the aviary part. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the all-glass part of the sunroom will extend 10' past the porch overhang (which is 8') coming off the house.

After we recently had a finch loose in our current house and it kept going for the windows, I think I finally convinced my husband that it would be better to have them sectioned off in their own space instead of loose in the entire sunroom.

The corner walls are 8' x 8' so the aviary will be triangular shaped. I think I want to also cage the top at ceiling height instead of going all the way up to the vaulted part so I can have lights safely up above the cage ceiling and not accessible to the finches. The corner walls each have a window, one into the house so I can also watch them from inside, and one to the outside which is under a deep covered porch. There are also skylights above, one of which will be over the aviary part so they will get some sunshine. I've been watching where the sun is throughout the day and there will still be plenty of shaded areas for them to go if they want.

Can't wait until it gets DONE and I can start planning how I'm actually going to build this thing. Preferably I would want it to be all metal for durability and and ease of cleaning, but we'll see what we can afford since the house is costing a lot more than expected...
I'll keep you posted with pictures as it goes along.

[dfcauley]

Wow! I love this!!! Can't wait to see it finished. It is nice and big. I put window clings on my windows of little white angels and birds. It keeps them from flying into windows.

[FeatherHarp]

I find this thread of interest to me as we are also building a house with an attached all glass Sunroom but mine is smaller than yours, Gina. It is 15 1/2 X 13. (I attached a photo).

I have been thinking about putting birds in there as well but with it being a smallish room I don't think I want my finches flying all about because of the poop factor like the others mentioned. I will probably just put in a flight cage and rotate my finches. That way the mess is more contained and the birds and I can enjoy the Sunroom together. And I am lucky enough to get a dedicated bird room as well in our retirement house. We will be moving into the house in about 3 weeks.

But for your situation I think what the others are saying about doing a partial aviary in your big Sunroom sounds like the best compromise. I hope you can share some photos of your new Sunroom setup. I would love to see your raised pond and waterfall. It sounds so beautiful and tropical!

Good luck with your decision! Building a new house is all-consuming isn't it! So many decisions to be made. If I had known how much work this would end up being I might have opted for a nice 4 room tent!

Here is our All Season Sunroom. It has just been painted. There should be room for a flight cage or maybe two!

SunroomPainted.jpg

[dfcauley]

That is an absolutely stunning sunroom Deborah!!!!

[Sally]

Oh, what I would give for a sunroom like that, Deborah! And look at the wonderful views. I think I would have to keep some of that for myself. You and Gina are going to have such wonderful new spaces for your birds. Please keep us posted with more photos, I can live vicariously through you.

[cindy]

We went through this debate...I wanted to turn the overhang and patio area of our pool and lania into an aviary. My husband did not since we have tropical storms and we found a few snakes in the pool area.

So now we have a birdroom and we are building an separate aviary in the room. I like the idea of splitting the room as Sally suggested. Donna has lots of great ideas.

[Melinda]

Deborah and Gina...I am definitely feeling jealous. Those rooms are amazing. Please post pics again when they are done with your birds in them. If I had a room like that I think I would let them roam free. Too much work keeping clean but I just love watching birds fly.

M xx

[DanteD716]

Gina, how is building going?? I personally would do a sectioned off corner for the birds. Then you can put a nice table or chair for reading or something to sit in, and watch the fish, birds, and cuddle with the cat all at once without any worries!

Deborah, I am jealous. That is a gorgeous view. I love it.

[h2olilee]

Deborah, I WISH we were moving in in 3 weeks too! It probably won't be until next spring for us... And yes, it is quite an undertaking building a house- a once in a lifetime thing--I definitely wouldn't do it again!

[finchaviary]

That is awesome!! I am inspired to build one like that now! Thanks for posting that photo.

[FeatherHarp]

Thanks everybody....I am looking forward to enjoying the Sunroom. I may just never come out of there!

Deborah, I WISH we were moving in in 3 weeks too! It probably won't be until next spring for us... And yes, it is quite an undertaking building a house- a once in a lifetime thing--I definitely wouldn't do it again!

Gina...I know how you feel. Hang in there! The stress of decisions and waiting for things to get done will soon be forgotton once you are in your new home and sitting in your Sunroom and watching the birds in your new aviary! It looks like you are nestled in the woods and will have lots of nature around. Those skylights will be so wonderful for your birdies!