FINCHforum

Good Morning All,

I have just built a wood framed indoor aviary. 3/4 of the back and the floor is covered with thin arborite countertop over plywood and is screwed down rather than glued. There is a gap at the bottom front which I know will collect debris and I'm wondering if it's okay to seal it with a bead of silicone type clear calking. I can also put another piece of trim over it but the calking would be a lot easier. Advice?
Thanks so much!

I use silicone in my aviaries and never had a problem. Of course use it when birds are not presect and let it cure and the odor disapate before allowing inhabitants back in....usually 3 days. Hookbills will pick at it so use around softbills only.

Thank you Candace. I haven't even put the mesh on yet so that will work out well.

On aviaries like these I always caulk the bottom really well to make sure no water seeps under the wood frame. That would be nasty
I siliconed the bottom 2 years ago and it works great...I simply put carefresh bedding on top of the ceramic tile and to clean, I just vacuum out and damp mop. No water or seed can get under the wood base. I caulked inside and outside of the frame. I put rubber door sweeps on the bottom of the doors to keep the bedding from slipping under the door.

CandoAviary wrote:On aviaries like these I always caulk the bottom really well to make sure no water seeps under the wood frame. That would be nasty
I siliconed the bottom 2 years ago and it works great...I simply put carefresh bedding on top of the ceramic tile and to clean, I just vacuum out and damp mop. No water or seed can get under the wood base. I caulked inside and outside of the frame. I put rubber door sweeps on the bottom of the doors to keep the bedding from slipping under the door.
[ http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/CandoAviary/SunRoom%20Aviary/P1010021.jpg ]

Candace, can you come to my house and make me one of those?

Sounds very interesting, Randa - any pics?? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Candace, my project cannot compare to your gorgeous aviary. But, I did make it all myself, in my living room no less - living alone has its advantages The legs are 25" high. The aviary itself is 4' long x 2' wide x 3' high. Both ends have rather large doors, however, I found a great wood bead "hippie" door hanging at a thrift shop and am restringing the wooden beads to hang down in front of the doors. There is a half inch slot at the floor to run 2' wide butcher paper through. This is my first home made project (my outdoor aviaries were built by a professional carpenter). I have swivel casters to go on the bottom of the legs for easy movement outside in summer on the front porch (the 2' width to accommodate moving through interior doors). Two strong cross pieces on top for hanging of plants or feeder etc. I left one foot across the top back which will be the wire mesh, to hang feeders, nests etc.

That is awesome and so mod looking. Love the colors Also it is a great size. I love the flexability that you can move it about..or outdoors....nice... You did Good
I have utilized hippie beads for keeping finches away from door (actually had hippie beads left over from my first home in the 70's )
What will you keep in there?

Fun colors for your aviary. What type/s of birds are going in? Gouldians would look nice

Candace- is your aviary have mesh or glass can't tell from the pictures and have considered glass for a small indoor, but I don't know it it would be okay.

isabird wrote: Candace- is your aviary have mesh or glass can't tell from the pictures and have considered glass for a small indoor, but I don't know it it would be okay.

It is unpainted wire mesh 1/2 " x 1/2 ". It really blends in nice with the grey paint and marbled formica on the back.

isabird wrote:Fun colors for your aviary. What type/s of birds are going in? Gouldians would look nice .

Yes, that is exactly who will be living there. My non-breeding gouldians. Currently there are seven of them and I'm sure they'll enjoy their new digs/hippie pad!