mixed small aviary?

[debbie276]

Good luck with your new birds. I had the cordon bleu years ago, neat little bird. I have the owls now. I didn't do anything different then the norm as far as taking care of them.
Be sure to post pictures once they settle in.

[Ursula]

well, that window on the left (the one inside the aviary) faces my flatroof, so I'm planning on building a 4-5 m2 "structure" outside, maybe using bird netting, where the birds will have plenty of flying space and will have access to it through that window in the warmer months (May to November). the window will remain closed in the coldest winter months, and they will get the sun and fresh air from the other window that faces East.

I would be careful with bird netting! Depending on what kind of "netting" you are thinking of. If I was you I'd use wire mesh or something else sturdy.

When my husband and I first built the aviary, which is a room with windows on 3 sides, we didn't want to keep the big windows completely open for fear that the birds might bump against them thinking they can fly through. So we used bird netting (or "fruit netting" as it is called here) to cover them inside as sort of barrier. It was fine plastic netting with openings about 1/2 - 3/4 inch wide. But one of the button quail got caught in there one day and tangled up, and died! I also was able to rescue a finch who got tangled up.
Then we tried "sports netting" which was made of twisted nylon with larger opening, much like a tennis net. (It was expensive! ) Again, one day when we were on vacation the bird sitter found a quail completely tangled up in the morning, dead of course. A few weeks after that I rescued a young budgie who somehow got himself tangled up in there. And that was IT! No more netting.
We build frames with perches made of thin wooden sticks to obscure the open windows. They are about a foot or so apart, and enough to make the birds aware of an obstacle. And they actually LOVE it. They sit on these perches all the time. The only downside is: I have to constantly clean the windows now because they get all messy. But my birds are happy and the main thing is, it's safe.

No more netting for me!

Sorry, that became quite a lengthy answer but after actually losing birds to the netting I am pretty passionate about the topic...

[colorin]

thank you Ursula for that wonderfully long message. I guess I'll use the normal mesh, just in case- I'd die if I find any of my birds tangled in the netting (dead or not)

[Ursula]

Keep us posted on the progress!

We were originally planning to build an outside area on the deck as well, but we never got around to do it... I also don't know how often I would really use it. In summer it's almost too hot because the deck is facing south. And since the aviary is in the house and the house is airconditioned in summer, we can't keep the door to the outside area open either. That would make our electric bill go through the roof if we keep a door open while the air condition is running. In winter on the other hand, it's too cold since my birds are used to the inside temperature. Georgia is weird that way, it's either cold or hot, the spring and fall periods of mild temperatures are very short.
Long story short, we never built it and now I actually don't see a point in building it... It would be nice to have a separate outside aviary with hardy birds, but ... well, my inside aviary and fishtanks and other hobbies keep me already plenty busy, besides working a full time job.

[colorin]

Ha ha ha
I know what it is! I also have fish tanks, and a dog, and a non-stop-talking-parrot, and three children, and a husband...

It's hot here in summer too. About 30/35ºC in the hottest months (some days it goes up to nearly 40ºC) but as far as I know, it's not too much for Gouldians (or is it??) We don't have air conditioning. Don't really need it. this house is quite warm and sunny in winter but cool in summer.

Anyway, if I see them panting and opening wings, then I'll know it's too hot

[annague]

Colorin, Regarding your question about your Cordon's.

CB's will be quick to adjust to their new home and may even be courting within the same day you bring them in. (They are not easily flustered by changes like some birds). Once they adjust they are hardy little birds (more flexible than many little waxbills and very adaptable.)

They do not tolerate nest checks and like to have lots of privacy in their nesting situation. They can be very protective when they are nesting but are not overly aggressive or intrusive like Parrot Finches can be.

They like to do sexual chasing so don't be too concerned if they do a bit of that to begin with -- they LOVE mealworms but will eat eggfood and veg's readily. They LOVE baths. They love to sing and seem happiest when they are busy raising youngsters or building a nest or doing bird stuff.

Compared to gouldians they are pretty active and the RCCB's are very opinionated -- if you do something they don't like they will scold you loudly and put you in your place!!

Hope this helps.

[colorin]

Well, I just got my two blue caps and two owls. One of the blue caps is singing non-stop (so I guess he's happy) but the other one does not sing (although the breeder has assured me they are both males!)
My dog is fascinated with the "meowing" sound of the owls!! They sound JUST the same as his soft-chewing toys!! He'll have to learn that these meowing birds are a no-no
I will take some pics tomorrow!

Anague.. I was told that bluecaps were very delicate and sensitive birds, and that I should very extremely careful in the very first days until they got used to their new home. I hope you're right and they are not THAT delicate

[colorin]

one of the blue caps is definitely not right. He's fluffed up and I've put him in a separate little cage with some heating... I don't know whether he'll survive
The other one calls him and sings all the time.
Here's a pic of the "singing" one while singing:


and one of the very young owls (is it normal for young ones to look so "dishaveled"? they behave like normal birds. don't look sick at all, but I've never had an owl before

[colorin]

This corner will provide us with plenty of good shots

[annague]

Colorin, I have not found BCCB's to be delicate. Perhaps the stress of moving affected it, but I don't know why it would just affect one and not the other -- I think I would maybe see if the breeder would take the one that is not right back. I still have the first hen I bought 3 years ago and although you take the normal precautions as you do with all birds I would consider them more hardy than the average gouldian. (And I know you do great with your gouldians!)

I love your little singer, he is gorgeous!! And, don't they sing lovely? I love it when they sing. Your BCCB's will most likely sing a lot without females to court.

Your owl is cute, too and I do think they look more disheveled than the average waxbill and certainly moreso than gouldians who tend to be very densely feathered -- but "puffy" is what you have to worry about, disheveled is "ok".

Maybe if someone else has different experiences with CB's regarding hardiness they can "chirp" up here -- but I've always considered mine relatively hardy little guys.

Looking forward to more pictures. Love your choices so far!

[colorin]

the "sick" blue cap seem to be doing fine. Fluffed up (looks like a feathered meatball) but he eats and drinks and this afternoon I heard him singing 3 or 4 times! Now, please tell me that sick birds don't sing!

[annague]

I would think he's not feeling too bad if he's singing.... But, maybe some extra heat and keep a close-eye on the little guy for a day or two to make sure he doesn't need treatment.

[colorin]

This morning the "fluffed up" blue cap looked much better. Much more active and less fluffed. I'll check on him again at noon.

[kenny]

hi
i was worried at first when you said you where building an aviary inside ,but i can see thr birds will be fine...mainly because they need a lot of uv light but it looks as if you have done a great job.if you watch canaries in an outside aviary they will lay on the floor and spead their wings to soak up the sun...which by the way would be a nice addition to your aviary as long as you only get one as a pair even male and female have a tendancy to fight a lot,also have you thought about chinese painted quail they are really nice walking along the floor of any birdroom and take no looking after ,and they bathe in the dust on the floor ,if you supply it they of course drink water but they dont splash around in it like other species.you are doing well staying away from javas as they can be bullies

ken

[colorin]

I've had canaries all my life. And they can be quite agressive even with no females around! Mine are kept in individual cages, at least in winter and spring time.
Right now I have just the two blue caps and the two owls, but I'd like to have two star finches (the yellow back mutation I find striking, but they are still much more expensive that the normal ones!)
then I will add some gouldians from my own "stock", and if I confirm that my two societies are both males, then I can put them there too.
I', also building a wooden frame with methacrylate, to fit into the window sill that faces East, that way, even on cold days when you can't leave the window open all morning, I only have to remove the sliding glass panels and leave the methacrylate "window", so they can enjoy the sun rays without suffering the cold and/or wind.