Outdoor raised with open mesh bottom

[miulloj]

I could find no posts on this so... I'm in N Florida and would like to build a modest raised (maybe up on PT posts) Zebra aviary and not have a bottom other than the mesh on the frame base. I would think that it would be more maintenance free to allow the droppings to just fall through & hit the ground and be broken down on the forest floor. Could even put it on wheels to facilitate moving it around. Has anyone done this?

I figure a plain PT framed long box (say 5x3x3) with mesh all around. Then fastened to 4x4 posts with or w/o the wheels or even just back wheels and a handle set on the opposing side for moving. Then on the exterior third end maybe place a small slanted roof of sorts and enclose two sides to keep things dry and protected for nests and such. What do you all think of this simple idea to keep it low maint? I need ideas on easy way and configuration for access/door(s).

[cindy]

It is a nice idea but I will just comment on the fact that if a racoon or cat is under the mesh and a finch lands on the floor of the cage, little feet and legs can be pulled through. I know a few people that have had this happen. Also consider the snake issue, a small young black racer can easily get through mesh and scare the birds or worse.

To prevent an animal from grabbing at feet and legs from the underside create a floor of screen for the floor, then drop another false floor about a foot under it or run a border of wood all around the base.

You will also attract ants as food and droppings collect under the screening.

I am in Florida also and fire ants mounds literally pop up over night it seems.

[nelloyello11]

Something like this maybe?
http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/califo ... uction.php
But you could change the top to suit your needs?

[wellingtoncdm]

I have a cage like that. It is 3' x 5' and made of cedar wood and 1/4 inch hardware cloth on the sides and bottom. 1/2 inch lets snakes in! It looks like a rabbit cage with a tin roof. The roof is pitched and has an overhang of 6 or more inches. I love it. It stays clean and dry. My aviaries built on a cement pad get wet and have had coccidiossis problems in young birds but not this one. My advice would be to have a few smaller lower doors to change feed and water easily without escapees. Mine has one large top door and I lost two forbes which were later caught. I now use a towel over the opening when I catch birds or do maintenance and nest checks. I also added a solid back for privacy. Over the years it has housed javas, societies, as well as forbes and red throat parrot finches. I will try to post a photo.

[wellingtoncdm]

if a racoon or cat is under the mesh and a finch lands on the floor of the cage, little feet and legs can be pulled through.

I agree with this but haven't had this problem with the 1/4 inch mesh. I live with 3 dachshunds and 1 jack russell terrier that are always milling around under it. I also know there are opossums and raccoons around at night that the dogs run after and chase often. The birds get used to it. Another idea is to have many perches and options so that they aren't roosting up against the wire at night.

[cindy]

I love the perch idea that has a pole with roosting perches all aroud it and you hang it in the center of the cage.

I have also seen breeders use a wooden clothes drying rack type set up suspended from the top and anchored at an angle.

[nelloyello11]

I love the perch idea that has a pole with roosting perches all aroud it and you hang it in the center of the cage.

I have also seen breeders use a wooden clothes drying rack type set up suspended from the top and anchored at an angle.

Forum member, Jossi, posted a vid recently of her gouldians. In her flight, she has a large bird ladder hung from the top, and several finches are perched on the rungs. I thought that was very clever too!
Here's the thread:
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=15953

[cindy]

this video...not sure if this is one of here but it shows the other type of hanging perches...I noticed Jossi had one of these to!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLadyGoul ... qsgLPoI9Ys

[nelloyello11]

this video...not sure if this is one of here but it shows the other type of hanging perches...I noticed Jossi had one of these to!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLadyGoul ... qsgLPoI9Ys

Different video, but same flight. I think the ladder is the one toward the right side, that isn't moving in this video.

[miulloj]

Thank you so much. This is a great forum. I'm so glad to have stumbled across it. The design dawned on me after rethinking it and recalling a P Allen Smith show I saw where he recycled old cotton trailers into movable turkey pens. Special thanks to Wellington as to specifics on an already tried similar design.

[miulloj]

if a racoon or cat is under the mesh and a finch lands on the floor of the cage, little feet and legs can be pulled through.

I agree with this but haven't had this problem with the 1/4 inch mesh. I live with 3 dachshunds and 1 jack russell terrier that are always milling around under it. I also know there are opossums and raccoons around at night that the dogs run after and chase often. The birds get used to it. Another idea is to have many perches and options so that they aren't roosting up against the wire at night.

I think the way to go for viewing and such would be the 1/4 inch on the bottom then a little bigger on the sides and top?

[miulloj]

if a racoon or cat is under the mesh and a finch lands on the floor of the cage, little feet and legs can be pulled through.

I agree with this but haven't had this problem with the 1/4 inch mesh. I live with 3 dachshunds and 1 jack russell terrier that are always milling around under it. I also know there are opossums and raccoons around at night that the dogs run after and chase often. The birds get used to it. Another idea is to have many perches and options so that they aren't roosting up against the wire at night.

Anyone know where/if you can obtain http://www.directmetals.com/dm/wire_pvccoated.asp or similar in a large home center or maybe farm store? I'm in Tallahassee.

[finchmix22]

I bought that type of mesh at Home Depot. They had metal and pvc coated mesh.

[miulloj]

Hmmmm ... one could make short order and low cost of this using http://www.lowes.com/pd_50093-362-47350 ... facetInfo= if the wires were slightly closer together (2 butted with angle edge on top and bottom) for 32" high.

[miulloj]

Wait! this might work! I have to find out how closely it is meshed tough.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?par ... &cId=PDIO1

With plastic wire zips (snipped to the quick) to bind the flat edges together. What do you all think? Make it 32x72 and just use plastic coated mesh for the ends and bottom. Since the product is so rigid I might be able to use less wood framing too. If this works, I think I could pretty readily fabricate slide up doors by tin snipping the wires similar to production cages.