Outdoor Aviary Wood Questions

[niehaoma]

Hello All,

I am 100% new to finches. I am planning on building an outdoor aviary (I live in Southern California). I am concerned with the choice of wood and finishing. I have seen lists of acceptable (and unacceptable) woods to use. However, it would seem it is potentially toxic to use pressure treated wood, stains, sealers, etc. I am curious then, how does one go about "weatherproofing" the aviary wood in order to preserve it from premature rot/etc? While the birds cannot necessarily access the exterior of the wood, they could potentially nibble at it on the interior portions. I was thinking I could completely cover the inner portions of the wood, but this could get excessively costly (I know, cost vs birds health, I sound horrible). Of course I want the birds to be healthy, so I need a cost effective mechanism.

I plan on building an aviary approximately 6-8' long, 4' wide, and about 6-8' tall. A rectangular prism shape with a roof.

Any insight and help will be greatly appreciated.

[nelloyello11]

Can't help with the wood question.... But it sounds like it will be wonderful! I'm so jealous of the forum members who live in warm places and can have an outdoor aviary!
What kind of birds do you think you will fill it with?

[B CAMP]

I would paint it as long as your haveing finches and not hook bill as they tend to chew the wood, there are also lots of stain that is safe for birds

[niehaoma]

I am so new to finches, I do not even know what types I will get. I am sure some are easier for beginners, so I certainly do not want to start off with expensive exotic types, should something go awry. I am focused on the outdoor aviary now, making sure I can build an ideal habitat. No that I am thinking about it, I might build one big enough to walk in, perhaps, 10' x 10'x8'. I will have to see how much my better half lets me get away with

It would seem then the choice of wood is not super critical, relative to the birds health ? I see lots of photos with different woods, stains, etc online (of course, that does not imply it is safe).

[nelloyello11]

With such a large space, I'm guessing you will end up with multiple species. Zebras a pretty easy; that's what I have and I call them the "gateway finch" because I know I will end up with more when I have the space...
In the finch info center, there is lots of good info on species that would be compatible.
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... /index.php

I know you're still working on the aviary, but it might be helpful in figuring out what you do want to get

[debbie276]

We used pressure treated and have no problems. I've got gouldians, owls, diamond doves and forbes.

[wellingtoncdm]

I used cedar wood for the outdoor cages and aviary.

[niehaoma]

Thanks, that makes things easier. I am also curious about the flooring. Most sites recommend a solid floor (e.g. concrete), for easy cleaning and to prevent bacteria. I am not opposed to this idea, however, it is not very natural looking. I was thinking of possibly using crushed rock. In my mind, this allows me to build up the substrate flooring a few inches, still allows me to wash it down, and the water/waste will percolate down to the dirt level, inches away from the exposed top level. It would also allow me to plant plants in the aviary into the soil, and just fill around with the rock. Anyone have feedback on this? My fiancee (I am the male, by the way), is generally opposed to my "projects", so she likes to play devil's advocate. She thinks this outdoor aviary will smell, and over time (regardless of the flooring), the waste will build up and it will stink. Can those of you who have outdoor aviaries post your experiences in this regard? It will be greatly appreciated.

[wellingtoncdm]

My aviary is built on concrete. I kept a tiny gap under my base and spray the floor off with the hose as needed. I like concrete because it keeps the floor dry. I change out the potted plants/trees as needed because the finches are really hard on them.
Many inches of coarse gravel can work but rats and raccoons can dig up into it.

[6finchfriends]

also if you use gravel you'll constantly have seeds sprouting like weeds. Which isn't a bad thing though it will look pretty unsightly. Rats and mice will get in after the seed as well.

[debbie276]

I also have concrete that I can hose down. We added pieces of slate into the concrete and stamped a little birdie feet trail in it before it all dried.
Over time I would think the seed hulls, nesting material and mess would build up in the gravel and clog it all up.

[niehaoma]

Thank you for all the replies. In regards to rats/racoons, I was going to ensure the bottom was predator/rodent proof. I have experience keeping gofers out of planters. In regards to the seed buildup, I thought about this. It may be an issue, however, if you think about it, when you spray concrete off, you are just pushing all the debris to the edge of the flight ;) But I will consider possibly pouring a concrete pad.

[poohbear]

In this section of my aviary there is a few inches of hardcore, then I underwired the floor with mesh to keep burrowing pests out.On top of the wire I spread several inches of gravel.I can hose this and rake it occasionally to dissolve the droppings which soak away.I shall clear it out once a year to thoroughly clean the gravel.