Aviary extension
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:40 am
Hi all,
Just thought I would share what I have been up to the last few months. This aviary has always been too small to have permanent plants in (watering the plants and having wet ground in winter is a problem), so during breeding season I always rotate potted plants for them or seed trays planted with grasses. But now, come Spring time, they will have a garden
The total size of the aviary will now be 6mx2mx2m, half fully planted and the other half will remain as is for the nesting area. The nesting area side will also be closed off with shade-cloth in front to give complete privacy in this section. I will also be able to spread the nest boxes around onto the front of the aviary, creating more nesting space for the birds which will result in less competition for everyone.
The aviary has been heavily planted to attract as many bugs as possible into the aviary. Black-eyed Susie creepers have been planted along the back fence and this will eventually be a hedge of color and it attracts aphids by the zillions, which the waxbills love. Basically, the more live food I can encourage into the aviary, the less I need to worry about feeding additional bugs
The birds will be released about middle October, once it warms up here. Let me just say that the waiting is torture!!!!
(Ps. There is plastic on the aviary's to block winter wind and rain. This comes down in summer)
Just thought I would share what I have been up to the last few months. This aviary has always been too small to have permanent plants in (watering the plants and having wet ground in winter is a problem), so during breeding season I always rotate potted plants for them or seed trays planted with grasses. But now, come Spring time, they will have a garden
The total size of the aviary will now be 6mx2mx2m, half fully planted and the other half will remain as is for the nesting area. The nesting area side will also be closed off with shade-cloth in front to give complete privacy in this section. I will also be able to spread the nest boxes around onto the front of the aviary, creating more nesting space for the birds which will result in less competition for everyone.
The aviary has been heavily planted to attract as many bugs as possible into the aviary. Black-eyed Susie creepers have been planted along the back fence and this will eventually be a hedge of color and it attracts aphids by the zillions, which the waxbills love. Basically, the more live food I can encourage into the aviary, the less I need to worry about feeding additional bugs
The birds will be released about middle October, once it warms up here. Let me just say that the waiting is torture!!!!
(Ps. There is plastic on the aviary's to block winter wind and rain. This comes down in summer)
You will spend as much time in the aviary as your feathered friends. LOL My four year old grandson always knows exactly where to find me. He says "Gammie are you in the bird cage AGAIN?"
know you've wanted to do that for a while.