Aviary outside

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:43 pm

Okay...when i go back to Pensacola, Florida (panhandle), I want build an aviary at least 8 ft tall, 10 ft long and 5ft wide. It might be biggerr. I want to put at least one pair of each: gouldians, owls, stars, strawberries, orangecheek waxbills, bronze wings, rccb's, cordon bleus, Goldbreasts, thats a total of 18 finches oh yeah, and male wydah that i got today. I know they would be fine in the summer time, but what about when it gets cold, last year it only got down to the forty's but it might get cooler this year. would it be okay to keep them all out side and if so what would be the best way to give the heat?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:51 am

I really don't know about some of the finches but I think if you make A section or end thats out of the wind and no rain,if you put several heat emitters in there so they can get as close to the heat as they want or as far away as they want. You should try to have them outside before it gets cold so they get used to the tempeture changes gradually.
I have love birds,society,zebras outside year round and haven't any problems at all with the temp.and I just use regular bulbs with a cover to keep out wind and rain but I am in the tampa bay area,I think it gets colder in the panhandle but the heat emmiters should put out more heat so I think you will be fine.

Post by **Sally** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:38 am

Anytime you have a mixed aviary, you have to watch for compatibility. I think if you have a pair of RCCBs and a pair of BCCBs in there, the males are going to fight--they are still both Cordon Bleus. Also, Strawberries and Goldbreasts can crossbreed, so you wouldn't want to keep them together. If you have a breeding aviary, with pairs, be sure and check the species info on each species to see if any of them will crossbreed.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:26 am

Sally wrote:Anytime you have a mixed aviary, you have to watch for compatibility. I think if you have a pair of RCCBs and a pair of BCCBs in there, the males are going to fight--they are still both Cordon Bleus. Also, Strawberries and Goldbreasts can crossbreed, so you wouldn't want to keep them together. If you have a breeding aviary, with pairs, be sure and check the species info on each species to see if any of them will crossbreed.

I am almost afraid to say this because when I said it before about my shaftails everything changed

.....
but I have a pair of rccb and bccb in my aviary and I have had no problems yet. BUT they have plenty of room to fly around although it seems they all stay in the top of one of the trees together. Of course they could start in tomorrow.

williep · Post by **williep** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:13 am

dfcauley wrote: I am almost afraid to say this because when I said it before about my shaftails everything changed .....
but I have a pair of rccb and bccb in my aviary and I have had no problems yet. BUT they have plenty of room to fly around although it seems they all stay in the top of one of the trees together. Of course they could start in tomorrow.

Dfcauley, I wouldn't be as worried about the fighting as I would be about cross breeding, although fighting is a distinct possibility. Be very careful that your BCCB and RCCB don't cross breed, they are prone to do this especially if the "pairs" you've got decide they like the other female better, or the stronger male shoves the other one off his intended mate. These species are so difficult to breed and it is very important to keep the bloodlines pure IMO. Please this is not criticism, just something to watch out for.

I got this off the species info on the FIC

Special considerations
These somewhat delicate birds require a dry, somewhat warm (no cooler than 65°F [18°C]) environment to thrive. Because the hens of all three subspecies look so similar, take care not to cross breed the species.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:14 am

yes, I knew about that. The two pairs I have a very bonded for now.
I will be keeping a close watch on that.

It is not my intention to breed them anyway. Although I know that they will probably try......

jamezyboo21 · Post by **jamezyboo21** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:35 pm

Thanks for the info. i think i will bring them in during the winter months which lasts 4-6 months.