FINCHforum

Well,after last years dreadful winter here,and the first frosts just a few weeks away.I decided for a complete re-think of my set up.
The enclosed insulated section is fine...but the open aviary part was a problem last year.Many of the birds decide to roost in the aviary part,and though I had it sheeted all round with thick polythene,it couldn't keep the draughts out properly,and was extremely cold.

I have replaced part of the wire with two large cage fronts...these have the advantage of making feeding and watering simple without entering the flight.Either side of these are two large windows now that I think I will leave in place all year round.
The feeding section itself has two hinged windows that are fixed open most of the year...but close tight in bad weather.
The bottom of the flight is still all open in spring and summer.But I have made prefabricated exterior ply panels that slot tightly into place at the beginning of winter weather...these are easily removable should we have a mild period during the winter.
Still got some tidying and painting to do but nearly finished now...the bad weather won't catch me out this year.

This is how it will look in summer..





And closed down in winter with one of the (unpainted) panels in place.

That should help keep those dreadful drafts at bay. Good luck!

Lucky Lucky birds!!

Lucky Lucky birds!!

_________________
~ Tracy ~
12 Societies with 4 fledglings, 6 button quail (who just laid their own first eggs), 1 lonely bobwhite quail, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 goldfish (finally outside in their Big pool again!), 2 wonderful girls, and bless him - my indulgent hubby

Not indulgent enough...get another bobwhite...

LOL!!!

HE would Cry - I swear it...

Quail laying eggs?

I hadn't noticed...

If you hadn`t noticed, I think you'd better be getting some stronger eyeglasses

That looks great! And your quail are cute... I miss the tons of eggs since I have only 3 boys now.

now your making me rethink my set up!

I love the changes you have made, Paul, this should keep out the drafts next winter.

kylegood wrote:now your making me rethink my set up!

Sorry about that... But I guess you have similar problems in winter over there.It's a pity the aviary can't be wide open to show the birds off at their best...but winter has to be allowed for.
Mine still have the extention aviary they can enter via a pop hole to get a bit of winter sunshine if they want it.A lot of them like sitting in the rain out there.

Oh! I've never seen anything like your quail and their eggs!!!! It's like the old cartoon where the chicken is sitting on a huge mountain of eggs that gets bigger and bigger! Your aviary is wonderful. I'll bet they will be nice and comfy during the winter months. Do they really like to sit in the rain? I'm always amazed at the outdoor aviaries. I always think finches are delecate birds where drafts and cold are concerned and you have to be so very careful so they don't catch cold and die. I really like your set up.

Paul, do you ever eat the quail eggs?

I watched a lady on youtube cook one...

paul,
i'm glad your winters are much like mine. i can let you do all the thinking for me in my designs.

6finchfriends,
if you ever need button quail i'm right across the border and would gladly give you some free of charge... for some reason my dont stop breeding!

kylegood wrote:paul,
i'm glad your winters are much like mine. i can let you do all the thinking for me in my designs.

6finchfriends,
if you ever need button quail i'm right across the border and would gladly give you some free of charge... for some reason my dont stop breeding!

No you 'aint...I'm 4,000 miles away...

And no Annague..I don't eat them...there must be 50 spread all round the aviary.It would cause too much disruption if I entered daily to collect them.

I have had one rethink with the aviary and am replacing some panels with glass...it was a bit dark in there on overcast days...I'll post pics when I've done it.