My aviary...start to finish.
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:07 am
I've put some of these on before, but thought I'd do a picture heavy thread to show how I decided to build my aviary.I hope it might give one or two ideas to those planning similar.Especially those not blessed with sunshine all year round.
The original build with winters in mind...Two part building,half to be open,the other to be insulated.
An inner door ensures no escapes as access to both halves is from inside.
The near half wired and canopies added to keep the worst of the snow at bay.
Then I started boarding and insulating the rear half...Windows are double glazed.
Finally all painted white in that half with a hatchway part cut out to connect the two..Sliding hatch added later...
Inner flight added to allow safe access from the outside...An inner door gives access to the open flight
section making access escape proof with the outer door shut.On the floors inside I use a hemp fibre product that is replaced every few months..more absorbent than wood shavings.
Later additions were the open flight and bathing areas to allow sunbathing..when we get sun
A flight added either end.The floors are underwired to prevent rodent access then a layer of gravel which is free draining so the floors can be hosed down.
A severe winter in 2010 decided me to clad the open wired section in winter months with removable panels...
The finished job in better weather...
I still make small alterations as an idea strikes me.But the basic set up has worked well for me.
The original build with winters in mind...Two part building,half to be open,the other to be insulated.
An inner door ensures no escapes as access to both halves is from inside.
The near half wired and canopies added to keep the worst of the snow at bay.
Then I started boarding and insulating the rear half...Windows are double glazed.
Finally all painted white in that half with a hatchway part cut out to connect the two..Sliding hatch added later...
Inner flight added to allow safe access from the outside...An inner door gives access to the open flight
section making access escape proof with the outer door shut.On the floors inside I use a hemp fibre product that is replaced every few months..more absorbent than wood shavings.
Later additions were the open flight and bathing areas to allow sunbathing..when we get sun
A flight added either end.The floors are underwired to prevent rodent access then a layer of gravel which is free draining so the floors can be hosed down.A severe winter in 2010 decided me to clad the open wired section in winter months with removable panels...
The finished job in better weather...
I still make small alterations as an idea strikes me.But the basic set up has worked well for me.
Clematis Montana just two years old and fed well,early to flower and stays green well into the autumn.In fact there were a few odd blooms in December.I've let it grow wild as I like things to look as natural as possible...Some has grown through the wire and a pair of star finches nested in it last year.(If you allow that, check the wire each season to make sure growth hasn't forced any gaps in the wire) 
