Indoor avairy

[KennethGriffin]

I am looking to build (or have built) an indoor flight cage or small aviary. I have tried contacting local finishing cabinet makers and carpenters and its been a nightmare! Has anyone had experience with this and can lend a hand or give any sage advice.

[Sally]

Here is a link to the panel-form aviary, similar to the one you posted. These are very easy to construct and once painted or stained, are very attractive.

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/panel_ ... uction.php

If you go to this topic on the forum, you will find that tammieb built one of these panel-form aviaries. Also, if you browse the Housing forum, you will find various topics on building aviaries.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10

[isobea]

Hi, in 1981 I built an indoor aviary similar to the panel aviary in Sally's link. I had drawn a plan with all the correct measurements and the wood was precut to the correct lengths at the lumberyard. Since mine was going to be in the corner of my study, one of the sides and the back were made of thin white laminated plywood (I believe - it was so long ago). It was easy to wipe down and no seed hulls, feathers and such could fall out in the areas I wouldn't have been able to reach with the vacuum cleaner. Something else that I did differently was that I made two drawers that were easy to slide out and clean (a hinged piece of wood closed the gap while the drawers were removed for cleaning). A big piece of linoleum underneath the aviary protected the floor while the drawers were being cleaned. Also I had no catch but put the door into the side panel. My doors, even the one I have in my outdoor aviary now, are never higher than 45 to 48 inches. Birds will usually try to get as far away from you as the can when you enter the aviary and they always fly up. So yes, you do have to stoop getting in, but I've never had a single bird escape in over 30 years of keeping them. I used pine wood which aged to a beautiful warm color and fit with the 'natural' look I was after. The wire I used was green plastic-coated 1x1 cm - no reflected light and again easy to clean. I added some horizontal 1x2 inch pieces of wood across the solid back and the solid side panel which allowed me to attach natural braches, nests and such. The 'roof' was solid, too, and I attached two strip lights as not enough natural sunlight would have reached the aviary. I put the whole thing together with just a basic set of tools (didn't have any power tools back then), so it is doable.
Oh my, this has turned into quite a lengthy description. I don't know if it will be helpful, but I think you will be able to build a panel aviary by yourself to the exact dimensions to fit your room.
Let us know what you decide to do.
Iso