My Aviary

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:32 am

finally after long ago saying I would post some pics of my aviary here it is.
it measures 24' x 12' x 7' (8m x 4m x 2m) is split into 2 sections the smaller being 7' x 12' x 7' which is used for storage and for nest cages.

its changed a little since these were taken, the plants have grown a bit and the old perches have been removed. in it at present are 1 pr gouldians, 2 pairs emblemas, 2 pairs bengalese, 1 pair orange breasts, 1 pair st helena waxbills, 1 pair of african firefinches plus a few assorted young from this years breeding (so far)

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:13 am

What a wonderful Aviary you created....I love it!

I like how you even incorporated the blue wheelbarrow into the plantings!

Just kidding...hehe!

Do you have any worries about wildlife coming around and digging under the mesh screen or is your yard all fenced in?

Sounds like you have a nice varitey of birds and I like how you say (so far) at the end of you sentence.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:15 am

AWESOME,

Someday when I figure out HOW to keep the Skunks, possum and coons and coyotes and wild cats OUT of one we will build one again, lol
I LOVE yours very nice and I agree with FH The wheelbarrow really adds al ittle something extra, lol

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:12 am

Good job mickp, its looks like your birds will enjoy the enclosure.

What is your climate like in S Aus? Does it get very warm, the reason I'm asking is the IBR sheets you used on the three sides tend to become really warm and "bake" the inside of the aviary. We've build a similar type cage with IBR in the colder area where I used to stay which worked great during the winter to keep the birds warm but in summer was way too hot. We solved the problem by placing dried grass on top of the aviary to keep the temperatures more moderate and planted some trees around the cage as well that loose their leaves in the winter (forgot what it's called). Obviously if your climate is temperate this won't be a problem.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:28 am

the roof of the aviary is only 66% covered.
summers here are hot & dry, just a few days ago we had 14 consecutive days of 100 - 120f temperatures, I was so scared that some of the birds would not cope but to my surprise the heat seemed to have the opposite effect, they almost all started building new nests and breeding again. I did put extra water dishes in for them and bathing dishes also. the floor of the aviary is dirt so I kept that damp.

williep · Post by **williep** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:33 am

With the +-half open roof you should be sorted, sorry couldn’t make it out from the pic. But like I said before, very impressive cage and I'm sure you'll have some babies soon.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:02 am

work permitting I am planning to double the size of the aviary as soon as possible. there are so many more finches that I just have to have in it, among them will be owls, more gouldians, cordon's, parrot finches and plum heads. I'm certainthat one day almost all of my backyard will be one huge aviary lol

williep · Post by **williep** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:34 am

Yes it can be very addictive, if my wife didn't stop me I would have converted haf my house into bird rooms and breeding cages by now. But I'm still working on her - lol

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:31 pm

williep....LOL...you are such a nut!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:48 pm

Looks great with LOTS of room for LOTS of finches! Nicely done.

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:27 am

That is an awesome aviary. i have seen many aviaries now and all of you make really nice aviaries must take a lot of hard work and preciseness, if thats a word

i would love to have an aviary as big as yours and everyone else, mine isonly 5' long and 3' wide and tall.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:21 pm

williep wrote:Yes it can be very addictive, if my wife didn't stop me I would have converted haf my house into bird rooms and breeding cages by now. But I'm still working on her - lol

Couldn't resist posting this in response to yours...

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:52 am

LOL Paul, if only it was that easy :sigh:

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:37 am

I sympathise with you, it is the other way around in my family. My kids have said they know if it weren't for their Dad, that I (Mom) would have a zoo in the house. As it is, I have (had) quite a few creatures and when I told him I was getting a few birds he just said "oh thats nice".

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:34 am

I live alone...no woman would put up with my birds...(or me) too much mess. And strangers ask me how I put up with the racket from my conures indoors....the thing is I don't notice. Unless they all kick off at once.
Paul.