FINCHforum

Is it okay for the finches to be moved every year from cages to an outdoor aviary and then back again in winter to the indoor cages??

There is just no way to keep them outside in winter, it gets super cold here sometimes below zero at night in winter...Well at least on a normal winter, this last one was really warm.

Also how do you catch them without too much stress?

I don't do this myself but have heard of others that do.
I think most catch them with a net or a bird trap.

I have known a couple of people who did this and it worked very well. The birds got to enjoy being outdoors in the warmer months - and it was very nice for the people too. It provided an opportunity to more easily deep clean the indoor bird room - painting etc. - each year and was lovely to sit out in the yard in the evenings watching the birds.

Thanks, this was my main concern, I didnt want to stress out the birds too much..My porch is screened in so acts like a catch if a bird escapes..Of course I havent actually built the aviary, but I do have the wood, just have to put it together and buy the mash..The hardest part will be the doors.

I'm going to be moving all of my zebras outdoors for the summer as well. I just got approval from my condominium board to place an aviary on my balcony, so I will be doing that probably the start of June. It still gets a little chilly here at night, but once it warms up some more, I'll be doing it. Can't wait! Plants, and birds on the balcony makes it beautiful!!!

Ok, so what I get is that you haven't actually finished building it... So I would suggest making an enclosed area in the aviary with a high wattage light (infrared is probably the best) to give them some heat, then you only need to move them into breeding cages

I know a guy in Maryland who keeps his birds in the basement in winter, but he built several aviaries out in his yard, and his birds have a summer vacation out there. Great for him and for the birds as well.

I use a net to catch the birds in the aviaries. It does stress all of us out. When they see the net they know what's up! I hate it. I have also used a small cage. One of those cheap ones that you would never really use except for a hospital cage. I place that in the aviary with millet and catch birds that way. I also have caught escaped parrot finches that way prior to building a double door to prevent further escape artists.