Hello,
Just to introduce myself, my name is Josh and Im 16. I havnt kept birds for a very long time, but I have wanted one my whole life. I got Elvis about a year and a half ago when he was just a baby. He is a cockatiel that I got at a pet store, he was very friendly and eager for attention. He is still going strong and comes out with me every day. I keep him fully flighted, which although most people are againts it, I enjoy him having the ability to fly. Anyway now Im ready to venture into some Finches! Anyway, onto the good stuff...
Intro to Aviary:
Anyway, I finally got the ok to build an aviary for some finches! I've been doing alot of research and I really want to make it look as natural as possible. Me and a family friend (he's the handy man with all the tools!) are going out tomorrow to get supplies and plan to spend the whole day monday and the whole day tuesday building it. I'm thinking about keeping it all australian birds (zebra finches and some diamond doves and elvis [on occasion, supervised of course!]). But, recently after reading this board and another one; I am a bit worried about the Zebra's temperment.
I picked them basically because they were cheap and active and kinda cute but now I'm having second thoughts. Do you think its worth it to just save up money and immediatly get into some of the more exotic, yet more docile finches for my mixed aviary? I love Gouldians and Cordon Blues and Orange cheeked Waxbills. They are by far my favorite finches. Is it worth it to just save up my pennies and jump in, or should I start with the 'begginer birds'?
Location, Location, Location:
I have the perfect location for my aviary! It is a balcony that is enclosed on 3 sides. The balcony is the perfect location because it is semi-shaded, has stone tile floors, 2 large drains (one in each corner), and is so high up off the ground that predators wont be much of an issue! It has 2 windows and a french door which will be perfect for viewing. The balcony also has lights and electric already outside so it seems to be the perfect area for my aviary.
Decoration:
I want to keep it really tropical/jungly looking with hanging baskets with orchids in them and little coco hut nests and a shallow bathing pond, natural brach perches, and some bushy, tropical plants and some small palm trees . Anyway I know that the plants are going to take a beating, which is why I plan to severly understock (maybe 2 pairs of finches, 3 max) and strategically place perching spots so that the plants dont continually get pooped on. I also plan to make a small pond with a waterfall in the corner or something. For ground cover, I wanted to do something that wasnt very practical but more astethetically pleasing, so I started looking into different ground covers. I decided that the best thing was this rubber substitue that looks like mulch, but is really 100% recycled rubber.
Anyway, pics later! Questions?/Comments?/Answers to my questions
thanks a lot!
-Josh
My Natural Aviary!
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Fishfreak218
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Fishfreak218
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Nipper06
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Your new aviary
Josh,
I read your post and your new aviary idea sounds like a good one. I have a few suggestions.
1) Save your $$$ and buy the finches you really want. If zebras aren't your first choice, wait until you can buy Gouldians or something. You may as well get what you want. And Zebras could dominate and over-populate in there - before you know it, you could have too many and might have trouble selling them all.
2) 3 - 4 pairs of birds will get along better than 2, most likely. 3 pairs create more of a diversion. With 2 pairs, it's us against them kind of thing. Also for certain birds, more than 1 pair of the same species can cause fighting - for example, 2 pairs of Diamond Doves or Green Singing Finches can be a problem in the same aviary. They need to be 1 pair per aviary. But some other species - like Gouldian Finches - are usually fine together in a big flock. Read up on bird compatibility and aggression before you buy.
3) Stick to finches and Diamond Doves - larger birds mixed with finches are sometimes risky - especially any parrot family birds. You should let your Cockatiel go in there only when you are supervising him. I've known breeding cockatiels to kill finches in small aviaries so you have to be careful.
4) Be careful about live plants. Many common houseplants are toxic (poisonous) to birds. So look for a list of toxic houseplants and avoid all of those before you put any in there with the birds. In the wild, birds will avoid these plants but in captivity, their urge for greenfood or chewing make make them experiment. Plastic or "silk" houseplants or trees are usually fine. And you can hose them off outside every so often.
5) If you plan to breed any of your birds, make sure you have at least as many nest boxes (or open pan nests for doves or canary family birds) as pairs of birds. Like for example. you could end up with a lot of fighting if you had 3 pairs of birds that need nestboxes and put only one nest book in there.
p.s. I support you on keeping your cockatiel fully-flighted. As long as you are careful he doesn't get loose or into trouble, I think birds are much happier if they can fly.
I read your post and your new aviary idea sounds like a good one. I have a few suggestions.
1) Save your $$$ and buy the finches you really want. If zebras aren't your first choice, wait until you can buy Gouldians or something. You may as well get what you want. And Zebras could dominate and over-populate in there - before you know it, you could have too many and might have trouble selling them all.
2) 3 - 4 pairs of birds will get along better than 2, most likely. 3 pairs create more of a diversion. With 2 pairs, it's us against them kind of thing. Also for certain birds, more than 1 pair of the same species can cause fighting - for example, 2 pairs of Diamond Doves or Green Singing Finches can be a problem in the same aviary. They need to be 1 pair per aviary. But some other species - like Gouldian Finches - are usually fine together in a big flock. Read up on bird compatibility and aggression before you buy.
3) Stick to finches and Diamond Doves - larger birds mixed with finches are sometimes risky - especially any parrot family birds. You should let your Cockatiel go in there only when you are supervising him. I've known breeding cockatiels to kill finches in small aviaries so you have to be careful.
4) Be careful about live plants. Many common houseplants are toxic (poisonous) to birds. So look for a list of toxic houseplants and avoid all of those before you put any in there with the birds. In the wild, birds will avoid these plants but in captivity, their urge for greenfood or chewing make make them experiment. Plastic or "silk" houseplants or trees are usually fine. And you can hose them off outside every so often.
5) If you plan to breed any of your birds, make sure you have at least as many nest boxes (or open pan nests for doves or canary family birds) as pairs of birds. Like for example. you could end up with a lot of fighting if you had 3 pairs of birds that need nestboxes and put only one nest book in there.
p.s. I support you on keeping your cockatiel fully-flighted. As long as you are careful he doesn't get loose or into trouble, I think birds are much happier if they can fly.
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Fishfreak218
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Re: Your new aviary
Thank you Nipper for the well thought out reply!Nipper06 wrote:Josh,
I read your post and your new aviary idea sounds like a good one. I have a few suggestions.
1) Save your $$$ and buy the finches you really want. If zebras aren't your first choice, wait until you can buy Gouldians or something. You may as well get what you want. And Zebras could dominate and over-populate in there - before you know it, you could have too many and might have trouble selling them all.
2) 3 - 4 pairs of birds will get along better than 2, most likely. 3 pairs create more of a diversion. With 2 pairs, it's us against them kind of thing. Also for certain birds, more than 1 pair of the same species can cause fighting - for example, 2 pairs of Diamond Doves or Green Singing Finches can be a problem in the same aviary. They need to be 1 pair per aviary. But some other species - like Gouldian Finches - are usually fine together in a big flock. Read up on bird compatibility and aggression before you buy.
3) Stick to finches and Diamond Doves - larger birds mixed with finches are sometimes risky - especially any parrot family birds. You should let your Cockatiel go in there only when you are supervising him. I've known breeding cockatiels to kill finches in small aviaries so you have to be careful.
4) Be careful about live plants. Many common houseplants are toxic (poisonous) to birds. So look for a list of toxic houseplants and avoid all of those before you put any in there with the birds. In the wild, birds will avoid these plants but in captivity, their urge for greenfood or chewing make make them experiment. Plastic or "silk" houseplants or trees are usually fine. And you can hose them off outside every so often.
5) If you plan to breed any of your birds, make sure you have at least as many nest boxes (or open pan nests for doves or canary family birds) as pairs of birds. Like for example. you could end up with a lot of fighting if you had 3 pairs of birds that need nestboxes and put only one nest book in there.
p.s. I support you on keeping your cockatiel fully-flighted. As long as you are careful he doesn't get loose or into trouble, I think birds are much happier if they can fly.
1. I think thats what Im going to do. I'll be happier and stress-free knowing that their is peace in my aviary. I hate seeing my pets fight (i keep fishtanks, and their can be some major compatibility problems)
2. Thanks for that tip! I wasn't aware of that! I would have gone with 2 pairs and possibly had a lot of fighting! I'll be sure to stick to either 3 or 4 pairs of birds. I think I'm going to go with 3 pairs of finches and 1 pair of diamond doves. I'll make sure to have the right number of nests available.
3. My cockatiel will only be in their while I'm supervising. I actually started the project for him but then fell in love with some of the finches at PetsMart and my local bird store.
4. I have checked many different lists of safe live plants and will make sure that all the ones I put in are bird-safe.
5. Like I previously mentioned, I will definitely make sure to have the right number of nests and different varieties for the pairs to choose from.
thanks for all the advice! I really appreciate it. I think I'm going to start off with some gold cheeked waxbills and a pair of diamond doves as the first birds in the aviary. Then add on from there!
Pictures tomorrow of the aviary construction!
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poohbear
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You seem to have read up on the subject quite well...Can't work out if you plan to give the birds access to the glass,if they can then I suggest sticking opaque polythene over the windows for a day or two,so the birds get used to the idea that they can't fly through it.
Not sure about the rubber floor...with a solid floor like that you could leave it...it would be so easy to clean and mop...especially with a drain in it.
Try a couple of climbers in big pots...they will grow up high and eventually surround your nest sites giving privacy for the birds and look good.Low growing plants will get soiled very quickly.This flight of mine has a passion flower growing around it that I have to cut back in the winter because it is so vigorous.
Avoid Zebras if you can, they breed like rabbits...which is nice ,but you will soon get overpopulated.If you can afford it get a pair of Gouldians in there,they are extremely colourful.With Diamond Doves provide them with solid platforms to nest on...if left to their own they will build flimsy nests which usually finish up on the floor...with eggs or chicks.
Put your location on your profile then we can see where you're from...I can tell by the outside plants you are not from my neck of the woods.
Paul.
Not sure about the rubber floor...with a solid floor like that you could leave it...it would be so easy to clean and mop...especially with a drain in it.
Try a couple of climbers in big pots...they will grow up high and eventually surround your nest sites giving privacy for the birds and look good.Low growing plants will get soiled very quickly.This flight of mine has a passion flower growing around it that I have to cut back in the winter because it is so vigorous.
Avoid Zebras if you can, they breed like rabbits...which is nice ,but you will soon get overpopulated.If you can afford it get a pair of Gouldians in there,they are extremely colourful.With Diamond Doves provide them with solid platforms to nest on...if left to their own they will build flimsy nests which usually finish up on the floor...with eggs or chicks.
Put your location on your profile then we can see where you're from...I can tell by the outside plants you are not from my neck of the woods.
Paul.
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mickp
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Fishfreak218
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I plan to keep something over the windows for the first few weeks, just to make sure that they know that there is glass there. I guess I wasnt very clear on the fact that the door to the balcony (the one pictured) will lead you right into the aviary, so I guess you could say that its the door of the aviary. Now, from a maintenance stand point, I know that the tile floor would be much easier to clean, but I think I'd rather have it asthetically pleasing then practical and uglier. I'll take your tip abuot the vines! I think I'll go with creeping fig because I know its safe and, well, I love the way it looks.poohbear wrote:You seem to have read up on the subject quite well...Can't work out if you plan to give the birds access to the glass,if they can then I suggest sticking opaque polythene over the windows for a day or two,so the birds get used to the idea that they can't fly through it.
Not sure about the rubber floor...with a solid floor like that you could leave it...it would be so easy to clean and mop...especially with a drain in it.
Try a couple of climbers in big pots...they will grow up high and eventually surround your nest sites giving privacy for the birds and look good.Low growing plants will get soiled very quickly.This flight of mine has a passion flower growing around it that I have to cut back in the winter because it is so vigorous.
Avoid Zebras if you can, they breed like rabbits...which is nice ,but you will soon get overpopulated.If you can afford it get a pair of Gouldians in there,they are extremely colourful.With Diamond Doves provide them with solid platforms to nest on...if left to their own they will build flimsy nests which usually finish up on the floor...with eggs or chicks.
Put your location on your profile then we can see where you're from...I can tell by the outside plants you are not from my neck of the woods.
Paul.
Also, thanks for the tip on the diamond doves! I didnt know that they were bad nest builders!
I'll be sure to provide them with some kind of flat-nesting spot. Also, on my location, I'm from West Plam Beach, Florida. I updated my profile so it should be there now!Thank you very much poohbear for your help! I really appreciate it.
Will do! Thanks mickpmickp wrote:there is a good list of plants at the finch info center plus a lot of other very pertinent info.
I agree with the others try your best to avoid zebra finches, save your money a bit longer and buy what you really desire.
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Fishfreak218
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Well today we started by taking a leveler and drawing a level line all around the top of the aviary.
Next, we lined up the 1 by's and drilled them into the wall with cement screws. Like this:
This will serve as a frame for the roof of the aviary.
Then we kept doing this along the whole aviary:
Once the framing was done, we had to build mesh panels measuring 3x7'
We used these to attached the wood to build the frame for the mesh panels:
here is 2 frames for the mesh panels:
Then we stapled the mesh down to the frame and put it ontop of the roof frame so that it looks like this:
All we have left to do is one more roof panel and then the last wall and then paint it. Then, structurally it will be complete. It should only take about 2 more hours to complete. Then the fun part, furnishing the inside.
Hopefully the homeowners association doesnt come and tell us that we need to take it down
Next, we lined up the 1 by's and drilled them into the wall with cement screws. Like this:
This will serve as a frame for the roof of the aviary.
Then we kept doing this along the whole aviary:
Once the framing was done, we had to build mesh panels measuring 3x7'
We used these to attached the wood to build the frame for the mesh panels:
here is 2 frames for the mesh panels:
Then we stapled the mesh down to the frame and put it ontop of the roof frame so that it looks like this:
All we have left to do is one more roof panel and then the last wall and then paint it. Then, structurally it will be complete. It should only take about 2 more hours to complete. Then the fun part, furnishing the inside.
Hopefully the homeowners association doesnt come and tell us that we need to take it down
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dfcauley
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It is going to be great! Can't wait to see the finished product.
I have an aviary that was a sunroom. It has glass windows all the way around it. I have shades that I can pull down when necessary. (if it gets too hot or when I introduce a new bird and don't want him hitting the window) Once they learn the boundaries no problems. I have never had a bird get hurt by running into the window.
I have an aviary that was a sunroom. It has glass windows all the way around it. I have shades that I can pull down when necessary. (if it gets too hot or when I introduce a new bird and don't want him hitting the window) Once they learn the boundaries no problems. I have never had a bird get hurt by running into the window.
Donna
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Fishfreak218
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Thats good to know! I figured that they would eventually learn that there was a window there.
I think I decided that I'm going to get 1 pair of gouldians, 1 pair of societies, and 1 pair of Orange Cheeked Waxbills and a pair of diamond doves. And maybe, down the roada pair of Cordon Bleu's
Do you think I'm overcrowding it? 4-5 pairs of birds in a 11x7x8' heavily planted aviary?
Also, I found out that the rubber mulch leaches zinc and other heavy metals
So, I think I'm going to use eucalyptus mulch as my alternative.
I think I decided that I'm going to get 1 pair of gouldians, 1 pair of societies, and 1 pair of Orange Cheeked Waxbills and a pair of diamond doves. And maybe, down the roada pair of Cordon Bleu's
Do you think I'm overcrowding it? 4-5 pairs of birds in a 11x7x8' heavily planted aviary?
Also, I found out that the rubber mulch leaches zinc and other heavy metals
So, I think I'm going to use eucalyptus mulch as my alternative.
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EddieNorCal
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Hey Josh! Great job and best of luck to you! It looks like you're going to have a wonderful aviary set up there. I can't wait to see more photos, keep us posted. I think the combination of finches and diamond doves that you are planning to keep will work out just fine. They are all passive species and you really shouldn't have any trouble. I kept a large aviary of 40-50 finches when I was your age (I'm 27 now and am trying to convince my wife that we need to build an aviary in the backyard) and let me tell you how rewarding and fun it was to watch those little guys every day. But I'm warning you, it's an addicting hobby! You're going to love the orange cheecks, they were one of my favorites. Best of luck and enjoy!!
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Sally
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Fishfreak218
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EddieNorCal,
haha thanks! I know a little something about addicting hobbies, saltwater fishtanks is my other love. Those are quite the addiction.
Ok,
so today we pretty much finished building the aviary! I'm not gunna go into detail about how I did it because I dont think it will help many people, just because the location of my aviary is so different then the typical aviary and I would have a hard time explaining it clearly.
Anyway so far I have spent $145 on this project, which is cheaper then the HQ cage my bird is in now!
So, all I have to do is furnish it with plants and mulch and then it should be good to go! I am also working out how to put perches in because I dont have access to the outside of the aviary, so I cant screw any of the perches in.
Click pictures to view larger;
Here is a picture of what the birds see through the back wall of the aviary:
Here you can see how I closed off the final wall of the aviary:
And this is just how the wall meets up with the ceilieng:
I promise I'll get better pictures when there is more to look at, these were all taken with my crappy digi cam. Once there is plants and birds and stuff in there, I'll get out my Nikon d80 and take some better pictures!
haha thanks! I know a little something about addicting hobbies, saltwater fishtanks is my other love. Those are quite the addiction.
Ok,
so today we pretty much finished building the aviary! I'm not gunna go into detail about how I did it because I dont think it will help many people, just because the location of my aviary is so different then the typical aviary and I would have a hard time explaining it clearly.
Anyway so far I have spent $145 on this project, which is cheaper then the HQ cage my bird is in now!
So, all I have to do is furnish it with plants and mulch and then it should be good to go! I am also working out how to put perches in because I dont have access to the outside of the aviary, so I cant screw any of the perches in.
Click pictures to view larger;
Here is a picture of what the birds see through the back wall of the aviary:
Here you can see how I closed off the final wall of the aviary:
And this is just how the wall meets up with the ceilieng:
I promise I'll get better pictures when there is more to look at, these were all taken with my crappy digi cam. Once there is plants and birds and stuff in there, I'll get out my Nikon d80 and take some better pictures!