Aviary plans

steph · Post by **steph** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:55 pm

Thought I'd post an update here even though I've posted this same picture in 2-3 other threads!

We decided against building the aviary on legs as in my little model. I thought I'd have an easier time cleaning if I could walk around inside.

Next step is the frame up the safety porch (it will be where the pieces of wood are sitting on the floor), then paint and mesh, then decorating!

For the floor we'll be laying down some 2x4 slats then plywood then linoleum. I think I will try using a bit of sand as well to make sweeping easier.

By the way, we did all this in about 4 hours last Sunday...More pics to come!

franny · Post by **franny** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:52 pm

It sure looks like the perfect spot, so inviting, with the sunlight streaming in. I can just imagine sitting at that little table and chair set, watching the birds injoy their aviary.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:52 pm

nice work steph.looks good.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:34 pm

Thanks for posting this Steph..

I'm in the process of building an indoor aviary and I'm getting some great ideas from your replies.

I had a suggestion to use wood shavings in the bottom. Sorry I cannot remember who suggested that. Maybe an option?

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:25 pm

BillD wrote:Thanks for posting this Steph..

I'm in the process of building an indoor aviary and I'm getting some great ideas from your replies.

I had a suggestion to use wood shavings in the bottom. Sorry I cannot remember who suggested that. Maybe an option?

I thought that organic things like wood shavings, wood chips, etc. would be more likely to harbor bacteria than sand. Also I imagine sand being easier to sweep out completely, even if parts of it got wet. I think I'm going to try sand at first. What do you use now?

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:57 pm

I haven't built my aviary yet. Still looking for suggestions while I'm in the design phase too. I plan to have long/narrow doors/panels on the front/bottom of my aviary to make it easier to clean, without going inside. Just open them up and clean the bottom.

Wood shavings seemed like a good idea. Not sure how sand would be in that situation. Would have to put some trays in, but still something to consider.

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:17 pm

That's a good idea (the long doors for cleaning). I'm just going to have a plywood floor raised a few inches off the ground with linoleum then the sand. I will just sweep and mop and add more sand.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:37 pm

I'm planning a similar one, Steph..

2x3 foundation with exterior plywood on top of it. I found a great price for floor tiles and I plan to seal the floor plywood, place the tiles on top then seal the whole thing.

I would be worried about sand creeping through the cracks on the sides and that's why I would suggest a type of tray to hold it all in. That poses it's own problems for cleaning.

I'm still looking for suggestions..

steph · Post by **steph** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:47 pm

Hmm, didn't think of the sand getting in the cracks...that would have to be sealed somehow or like you said, you could put a tray there.

Are you looking for more flooring suggestions or any general suggestions? Anything specific?

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:04 am

I'm just learning from others, like you, on how they built theirs. The problems they had, the successes they had.

I'm just throwing out issues I think of when I hear suggestions when I'm working on my design.

I know my final aviary will still have flaws, but I'm just trying to minimize the them.

I have a pretty good idea on what i'm going to build and I'm always open to suggestions. I just want the best environment for my birds.

steph · Post by **steph** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:11 am

Ditto, Bill! What stage are you at? Have you starting building anything yet? If not, when are you starting?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:14 am

I think you could contact a sheet metal shop and have some trays made to fit on the floor and fill those with sand and just slide out to clean like A tray in A cage it might take three or four trays wide just have opening on front 4 inchs high with cover to close it up just A thought

steph · Post by **steph** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:20 am

Actually, I just thought of something....My aviary floor isn't going to have cracks for sand to get stuck in. I'm building a platform about 4 inches high, and the plywood will sit on top of it, then the tile/linoleum. So, I will more likely have to deal with sand on the floor around the outside of the aviary. I guess its a screen porch, so I could just sweep it out...hmmm..

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:54 am

steph wrote:Ditto, Bill! What stage are you at? Have you starting building anything yet? If not, when are you starting?

well.. I have most of the lumber to build my indoor aviary. Have the lighting fixtures, Plexiglass (6' x 3') times 3, for the front and vinyl netting for the sides. Also have the 'egg crate' drop for the ceiling below the lighting with all that hardware. Still need to get sheets of plywood for the back side. Can't fit them in my car, but i'm working on that. Have the nice Ash wood for the front, but I think I may need some more. Still looking for a nice mural to put on the back.

It's a work in progress (haven't started yet)..

I do plan to post pics when I finally start construction..

Still looking for great suggestions.

steph · Post by **steph** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:58 am

Cool - can't wait to see your pics. This forum is a great place for info. I've learned so much!