FINCHforum

Im ready to just give up. What did I expect to happen when a 50yo woman who has no idea what shes doing tries to build an aviary out of scraps of wood and a few hand tools with no help from anyone..
Ive got it half built and nothing is square.I already bought the wire mesh.So its quit now or invest a bit more for more wood and keep trying.LOL, it may look like cr#p when Im done but I think I will keep plugging along.I suppose the finches wont care in the end as long as its safe.

I suppose the finches wont care in the end as long as its safe.

I'm sure this is true!

Keep plugging away, I'm sure it will be wonderful when you are done, if not a bit unique. Believe me, this is what would happen if I ever tried to do something like this too.

That's why I'm not going to try it! But hey - good on you for trying - you go girl!

Perhaps if you post a pic or two - the handy(wo)men can help out with suggestions.

OH I feel your pain!!! I have to do everything myself cause hiring someone to do it gets to spendy..... I built a picket fence around my new chicken coop didn't come bad at all. I decided to give them a bit more room and purchased a used dog kennel last week took the fence down and put up the kennel around the coop what a job handling 6ft and 10 ft panels but its up. I am proud that I got it up but its "nice to have a man around the house"
Your birds won't know the difference keep going girl!!!!!!

I am just starting my plan for an aviary!! its going to be a while yet before i can even start it, but a lot of planning is good.

Try to post some pictures of what supplies you have and what you have done, then nails you have and tools. i am pretty handy for a chick! i can help out! i used to build all kinds of things with my dad when i was younger

I got a jigsaw, and a drill, lots of screws.
I also have lots of wood.But its 3/4 inch oak veneer that was from a big cabinet I took apart(mostly 2ftx4ft pieces)t.I have one 4ft x4ft piece of 1/2 in pine.I also have 1/2 inch pine in 4ft x 18 inch pieces.
And a big sheet of 3/4 inch pine that is 5ft x 4ft.
I also have ten feet 48 inch welded wire mesh, half inch holes.4ft of 24inch welded wire mesh.
And lots of two by fours of different lengths..I was going to buy 1x2s for the mesh though instead of using 2x4s, they are too hard to cut for me..
Surely I can put something together.I was thinking maybe I should scrap the big aviary idea and just make small cages I can move from the porch to the house but still big enough to give the finches room to fly.

Go for the big aviary! The birds will love it. It's lots of work to built but worth it in the end. You can do it!

You go girl! I can't wait to see pics. AND, when you figure out how much you would have paid someone else to do the same thing, you'll be so proud. I do alot of stuff myself.. but, DON'T ask about the time I built a bed. The only thing my daughter would say is, "boy, it's tall!". Now it's just a memory, but a cherished one. If your aviary doesnt turn out.. it will be a special memory, too, and, at least you tried !!!!!

Keep going! You CAN do it!!!

Keep at it. You will be so proud when your done and even if your not totally happy with it you can make changes here and there.

I agree with all the others, you will be so proud of yourself, and you can do it so much cheaper than paying someone to build it for you. I have lots of tools, as I have to do many things myself, but not the best carpenter. My biggest problem is not measuring properly, or allowing for overlaps, so measure, measure, measure!

For cages, you can always buy the inexpensive ones almost cheaper than you can make one, so I too would go for the aviary--you and the birds will love it!

Don't give up, keep going and the rewards will be worth it. I know your pain...haha. It is hard to do both the man and woman work but that just doesn't seem to stop us from trying, right? I am always doing projects and getting in over my head, but no matter how it comes out your birds will love it and you will feel the accomplishment.

I vote for the aviary too ! I'll bet when you get it done it will look fine.
And I'm absolutely positive your birds will love it when it's done.

Sasha - simplify things.


Think of a table. It has 4 legs and a top. Your table surely doesn't wiggle, so it must be secure somehow (hint: look at where the nuts/bolts are, etc).


Wrap the screen around.


Worse come to worse, let's say you finish but the end product is not what you desire, you've gained valuable experience and knowledge. So should you decide to make another aviary the second time around, you'll know what/what not to do.


Either way, it's a win/win for you.


Cheers!

Thanks for all the encouragement .I will keep plugging away at it.Its super hot and humid today so I'll wait till tonight or tomorrow morning to do more.The doors will be the hardest part to figure out.